Innovative solutions to fight wildlife trafficking and to reduce invasion of invasive alien species

Open EU call topic HORIZON-NATURE-2027-02-04 · HORIZON Innovation Actions. Part of call HORIZON-NATURE-2027-02: Transformative change towards a nature-positive economy and society. Next deadline 2027-01-14. Topic page: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-NATURE-2027-02-04

Expected Outcome: Proposals are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: - custom officers, border guards and relevant law enforcement officers and civil servants from competent authorities have improved capacities to detect illegal wildlife trade and prevent invasive alien species introduction, reintroduction and spread; - illegal wildlife trade is better detected, contributing to improved protection of endangered species, and the spread of invasive alien species through trade is prevented and identified as early as possible, supporting the EU and global biodiversity objectives.

Scope: Wildlife trafficking and invasive alien species pose major threats to biodiversity[1] and present important challenges regarding enforcement, prevention and detection capacities. Invasive alien species also cause significant negative economic impacts, estimated at around €12 billion per year in the EU, and wildlife trafficking is one of the most profitable criminal activities worldwide[2]. Moreover, they pose significant health hazards. The rate of introduction of invasive alien species has been increasing. Wildlife trafficking is also increasing, especially due to increase in online trade[3]. The development of innovative tools to identify wildlife species in international trade offers opportunities for multiple applications to better combat drivers of biodiversity loss, in particular the overexploitation of wildlife through trade and illicit trafficking and, in specific cases, the introduction and spread of invasive alien species. European law enforcement, customs and competent authorities, need improved capabilities…