BTL-COP representatives took part in the “From Vision to Impact” meeting hosted by Europol in The Hague on 7–8 April 2026. The event brought together Horizon Europe Security projects and law enforcement actors to strengthen coordination and ensure closer alignment between research activities and operational needs.
A central theme of the discussions was the challenge of translating research outcomes into practical solutions. Participants reflected on the difficulties associated with progressing innovations across Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), often described as the “Valley of Death,” where promising concepts struggle to reach deployment and uptake.
In this context, the importance of structured public–private collaboration was repeatedly emphasised. Early engagement with end users, including law enforcement authorities, was identified as a key factor in ensuring that project outputs are relevant, usable, and sustainable beyond the project lifecycle.
BTL-COP contributes to this approach through the development of tools such as BondMate, which are designed with implementation and uptake in mind from the outset.
Another key takeaway was the increasing recognition of foresight as an integral component of innovation processes. Anticipating emerging challenges and aligning research accordingly is becoming essential for delivering solutions that remain relevant in a rapidly evolving security landscape.
Participation in the meeting provided valuable insights into current priorities at EU level and reinforced the importance of collaboration, alignment, and impact-driven innovation within the BTL-COP project.
