ECCC Info Day highlights cybersecurity funding opportunities

The event kicked off with opening remarks by Luca Tagliaretti, Executive Director of the ECCC, followed by an introduction from Francesco Barbato, Head of Sector at DG CNECT. Ivan Scannapiecoro, Senior Programme Officer at the ECCC, then provided detailed insights into the open calls for proposals under the DEP, highlighting the EUR 102 million budget dedicated to various cybersecurity deployment activities, including Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and advanced key technologies.

Participants benefited from a comprehensive agenda, which also included presentations on:

• The Validation Procedure by the Central Validation Service (REA): An informative session explaining the steps and requirements for project validation.
• How to Write a Project Proposal: Tips & Tricks: Alina Taralunga, Programme Officer at the ECCC, shared advice on crafting successful project proposals, followed by a Q&A session.
• Experience with Running DEP Projects: Coordinators of two ongoing DEP projects (SOC4Health and SECUR-EU) provided practical insights and shared their experiences.
• National Coordination Centres in Focus: Miguel Ángel Cañada, Head of National Coordination Centre (NCC-ES), discussed the crucial role of National Coordination Centres in the cybersecurity ecosystem.

One of the key highlights of the event was the pitching session, where companies and organisations with projects related to the open call topics had the opportunity to present their ideas directly to the decision-makers responsible for allocating EU funds. This unique opportunity allowed participants to showcase their proposals and seek potential funding for their innovative cybersecurity solutions.

In addition to the presentations and pitches, attendees had the chance to network and engage in one-on-one meetings during the lunch break and the closing networking coffee session. These interactions fostered collaborations and provided valuable connections within the European cybersecurity community.

The ECCC Info Day not only served as an informational session but also as a collaborative platform for advancing cybersecurity initiatives across Europe. The event highlighted the importance of funding opportunities in Europe strengthening cybersecurity measures and supporting innovative projects.

For those who missed the event, check out the presentations and a selection of recordings:

Opening remarks by Luca Tagliaretti, Executive Director of the ECCC (Watch the recording) 

Opening remarks by Francesco Barbato, Head of Sector, DG CNECT, European Commission (Watch the recording)

Digital Europe Programme (DEP): Open calls (Watch the recording)

How to write a project proposal: Tips & tricks (Watch the recording)

The validation procedure by the Central Validation Service (Watch the recording)

National Coordination Centres in focus - INCIBE Spain

Pitching of ideas of proposals to the open call