EU-HYBNET project brings different actors together to counter hybrid threats

Empowering a Pan-European Network to Counter Hybrid Threats (EU-HYBNET) is the first European project with a specific focus on preparing for and countering hybrid threats and on developing and building an European network in this field. The five-year project coordinated by Laurea University of Applied Sciences was launched in May 2020.

Hybrid influencing refers to coordinated and synchronised activity by which a governmental or non-governmental actor aims to influence decision-making in the target country by a variety of methods. Examples include cyberattacks, influencing by information and economic, military or political pressure.

First findings to be published in the autumn

The EU-HYBNET project’s kick-off conference, which attracted more than 80 participants from the organisations involved in the project, was held in May. The different work packages of the project were launched over the summer.

The project started with workshops where European practitioners’ and other relevant actors’ gaps and needs, vulnerabilities to counter hybrid threats were mapped. The results are currently being analysed and will be published in late autumn.

- As a result of the first phase will be created a list of jointly identified challenges in Europe, for which innovative solutions will be developed in the course of the project, says Päivi Mattila, who manages the project at Laurea University of Applied Sciences.

Measure to counter hybrid threats requires cooperation

The objective of the project is to strengthen European practitioners and other relevant actors’ capabilities for counteracting hybrid threats. Building up the network of actors in the field plays an important role in achieving this goal. These actors include practitioners, SME’s and companies operating in the sector, academics and NGOs.

In addition to the partners who have been involved in the project from the preparation phase on, the aim is to empower the EU-HYBNET Pan-European Network in the future with new actors. The project additionally collaborates with other projects in order to achieve potential synergies in countering hybrid threats.

The project also involves different stakeholders closely in its activities to ensure the rapid deployment of its outcomes and solutions.

- Multidisciplinary cooperation between different actors is a particular requirement for countering hybrid threats. By involving stakeholders and disseminating the results, we aim to promote and enhance this cooperation and to share information on hybrid threats, explains Project Manager Mattila.

The main project partner is the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats. In addition to Laurea University of Applied Sciences and the Hybrid CoE, 23 other organisations from 16 different European countries are involved. The EU-HYBNET project funded under the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme spans five years and has a total budget of EUR 3.5 million.

For more information on the EU-HYBNET project, visit the project’s recently launched website at www.euhybnet.eu and its Twitter and LinkedIn accounts.

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