The SUNRISE project successfully concluded its 2nd EU-level workshop on 6 June 2025, bringing together participants from across Europe, including security experts, policymakers, researchers, and Critical Infrastructure (CI) operators. The event focused on strengthening cross-border collaboration between CI providers in the face of complex and shared crises such as pandemics, cyber threats, and climate-induced disruptions.

Workshop Objectives

Recognising that crises do not respect national borders, the workshop aimed to:

• Explore the operational realities and gaps in cross-border CI collaboration

• Share best practices and practical experiences from various sectors

• Identify joint strategies for improving resilience and mutual support in times of crisis

Agenda Highlights

• Opening remarks by ICS and a keynote from the European Commission DG HOME, setting the stage for the importance of EU-level alignment on CI protection

• A comprehensive SUNRISE project update delivered by the Project Officer and Coordinator, outlining key achievements and next steps

• Targeted presentations from partners (AIT&HB, ICS, UPM) addressing critical challenges and proposed innovations

• Interactive virtual table discussions where participants exchanged views on best practices, coordination gaps, and lessons learned from past cross-border events

• A closing session featuring reflections from moderators and strategic conclusions from the SUNRISE Coordinator

Key Takeaways

• There is growing consensus on the need for formal frameworks to support operational cross-border cooperation

• Participants highlighted communication, data sharing, and trust-building as recurring challenges

• Several actionable ideas emerged to strengthen shared preparedness and response capacity

• The workshop reinforced the value of EU-funded projects like SUNRISE in bridging policy and practice across borders

Next Steps

SUNRISE will incorporate workshop insights into ongoing project activities and invites all interested stakeholders to remain engaged through the Sunrise Stable Working Group, a platform for continuous exchange, co-creation, and collaboration.

🔗 Join the Working Group here: https://sunrise-europe.eu/working-group-registration/

Together, we are building a more resilient, cooperative, and crisis-ready Europe.