Security Coordination and Programme Enhancement (SCOPE)

The Security Coordination and Programme Enhancement (SCOPE) is a major European Union initiative launched in September 2024 that serves a key role in enhancing coordination and coherence of EU security responses under the Global Threats Programme (GTP) and raising the visibility of the EU as a trusted security partner. SCOPE works to strengthen global security by ensuring that the EU's various threat response initiatives work together effectively and efficiently. The project tackles five critical areas of global security:

1. counterterrorism and prevention and countering of violent extremism
2. chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats
3. organised crime, illicit trafficking, and smuggling
4. threats to critical infrastructure
5. climate and environmental security.

SCOPE achieves this through five key areas of action. First, it continuously monitors and evaluates ongoing security projects to ensure that they are meeting their goals and making the intended impact. Second, it coordinates different security initiatives to identify and leverage synergies between projects, avoid duplication of efforts, and maximise resources, ensuring that various EU programmes work in harmony rather than isolation. Third, it provides detailed policy analysis to assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of EU security programming and provide recommendations to identify new opportunities for effective intervention responding to evolving threat landscapes. Fourth, it delivers expert technical analysis on emerging security threats and trends, helping the EU stay ahead of evolving challenges. Finally, it works to increase the visibility of the EU's security efforts and facilitate information sharing among partners, making sure that successful approaches and crucial learnings are shared widely.

Operating as both an information hub and a rapid response instrument, SCOPE represents a strategic investment in making the EU's global security efforts more coherent, visible, and effective. The project works closely with EU institutions, Member States, and international partners to ensure that Europe's response to global security challenges is coordinated, evidence-based, and forward-looking. Through its comprehensive approach to security programme management, SCOPE helps transform the EU's security initiatives from separate projects into a cohesive, responsive network of actions that can effectively address complex global threats.

The ICCT serves as a key partner in the SCOPE consortium, bringing its extensive expertise in counterterrorism and preventing and countering violent extremism to the project. ICCT's involvement strengthens SCOPE's capacity to analyse and respond to terrorism-related threats, particularly in the areas of expert analysis and context assessment. Furthermore, ICCT can leverage its M&E Centre of Excellence to support SCOPE’s first key area of action. As part of the consortium, ICCT contributes to developing evidence-based recommendations for programme adjustments, evaluating current counterterrorism initiatives, and identifying emerging trends in the global threat landscape.