The European Network of Defence-related Regions (ENDR) was launched in 2016 by the European Commission. Until the end of 2021, ENDR was funded by the COSME programme. From 2022 onwards, the ENDR is funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF).
ENDR has 3 objectives:
- Bringing regional organisations and clusters together to exchange best practices on how to develop defence-related development strategies, including the integration of defence industrial and research assets into smart specialisation strategies
- Facilitating the flow of information for funding opportunities (such as the European Defence Fund, and other EU structural and investment funds); and
- Promoting the development of regional clusters of excellence.
As of 31 January 2026, 105 entities from 23 Member States and Norway are members of the network.
Since its inception, DG DEFIS, together with ENDR members, have organised 27 conferences/workshops in the past 10 years on topics such as maritime security, drones, maintenance in defence domains, Healthcare and Medical Countermeasures, dual use, skills in defence industry, cyber defence and cybersecurity and others.
More conferences and events are taking place in 2026
DG DEFIS has also been organising annual meetings with ENDR members since 2016.
DG DEFIS is in regular contact with members to keep them informed about relevant funding initiatives, and open to suggestions for future events.
You can contact us by email DEFIS-ENDR
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (DEFIS-ENDR[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).
New members
Areas of activities
The Business Turku as regional development organization concentrates on capability areas of direct relevance to EU security and defence priorities, Innovative defence technologies SMEs, sensors, health/Biosciences, aerial and space-based sensor systems e.g. for environmental monitoring - multispectral (visible and infrared imaging), Drones, Maritime Security, Marine / Submarine Technology, Autonomous systems and artificial intelligence, Shipyards
About Business Turku Security & Dual-Use Ecosystem (Finland)
Business Turku Ltd. is a non-profit regional development company supporting company growth, development, and internationalization in the Turku region.
As a Defence Enabler, we strengthen dual-use and security ecosystems by connecting companies, RDI actors, and public authorities at regional, national, and international levels, facilitating civil–military collaboration and access to European defence and security markets. In June 2026 we are hosting a Nato Innovation Range event.
The Turku region in Southwest Finland is a growing hub for dual-use and security-related technologies, with particular strengths in maritime security and autonomous systems. The ecosystem brings together companies, research organizations and public authorities, supported by a strong concentration of universities, R&D expertise and operational end-users such as the Navy and Border Guard.
Turku is also developing a Low Altitude Economy Hub, which will function as a dedicated drone testing and piloting area, supporting the development and validation of unmanned and autonomous aerial solutions.
In addition, the ecosystem is part of Borderland Europe, a cross-regional collaboration between Turku and Joensuu focusing on border security, resilience and dual-use innovation across regions with complementary security profiles.
Coordinated by Business Turku, the ecosystem focuses on enabling company growth, facilitating civil–military collaboration, supporting entry into defence and dual-use markets, and strengthening international cooperation aligned with EU and NATO priorities.
Point of contact
Sofia Pihlava, Senior Adviser, sofia [dot] pihlavabusinessturku [dot] fi (sofia[dot]pihlava[at]businessturku[dot]fi)
Areas of activities
The Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas concentrates on capability areas of direct relevance to EU security and defence priorities, Materials and components, Advanced passive and active sensors, Space, Cyber, Information superiority.
About Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas
The Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) is strongly advancing research and collaboration in defence technologies through innovative applications and strategic partnerships. By participating in projects funded by the EDF, EDIDP, and EDA, FORTH contributes to shaping the future of European defence. It is currently implementing six projects in key areas such as semiconductors and antennas for military telecommunications and electronic warfare, ICT and robotics, and advanced optical communication technologies for space.
FORTH is also engaged in high-value strategic collaborations, including with Naval Group and the Office of Naval Research and has established the Hellenic Center for Additive Manufacturing to strengthen defence and industrial innovation. A major milestone is its participation in NATO’s DIANA initiative and the development of a dual-use innovation test centre in Crete.
At the same time, PRAXI Network, a FORTH unit, supports Greek companies in defence innovation through matchmaking - organizing DEFEA matchmaking event, proposal support, and HORIZON EUROPE national contact point services, reinforcing Greece’s role in European dual use ecosystems.
Point of contact
- Achilleas Barlas, Coordinator of Innovation in SMEs Unit, PRAXI Network, barlaspraxinetwork [dot] gr (barlas[at]praxinetwork[dot]gr)
- Vassilis Charmandaris, Chairman, Board of Directors, chairmanadmin [dot] forth [dot] gr (chairman[at]admin[dot]forth[dot]gr)
Areas of activities
The Regional Authority concentrates on capability areas of direct relevance to EU security and defence priorities, Materials and components, Cybersecurity, Maritime, Defence, Electronics, Drones, Smart Specialisation Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, Underwater technology, Space and Marine / Submarine Technology.
About Brittany Region
The Brittany Region is a French administrative region that is located in the western part of France. Defence in Brittany is:
- 60,000 industrial and military jobs.
- 1391 companies (including 258 headquartered in Brittany).
Regional policies aim to:
- Support SMEs’ integration into defence and security value chains.
- Reinforce industrial performance, innovation and technological sovereignty.
- Develop skills, training and higher education aligned with defence and strategic sector needs.
- Strengthen dual-use innovation between civil and military applications.
- Contribute to France’s and Europe’s security, resilience and strategic autonomy.
The Region signed a convention with the ministry of the French army in 2024 aimed at reinforcing the support of the defence industry in Brittany and support the ramp-up of production (https://www.bretagne.bzh/actualites/armees-territoire-le-ministere-des-armees-et-la-region-bretagne-signent-une-convention-de-partenariat/).
The region actively supports defence-related innovation through its competencies in economic development, research and innovation, training, higher education and industrial transformation, reinforcing France’s and Europe’s strategic autonomy in defence and security (https://www.bretagne.bzh/presse/communiques-dossiers/la-region-en-soutien-de-lindustrie-de-defense-effort-de-rearmement-la-bretagne-est-prete-a-prendre-sa-part/).
Point of contact
- Marechal Rozenn, senior adviser, rozenn [dot] marechalbretagne [dot] bzh (rozenn[dot]marechal[at]bretagne[dot]bzh)
- Aude Ollivier-Cadoret, Cybersecurity Project Director, aude [dot] ollivier-cadoretbretagne [dot] bzh (aude[dot]ollivier-cadoret[at]bretagne[dot]bzh)
Areas of activities
UVN concentrates on capability areas of direct relevance to EU security and defence priorities, innovative defence technologies SMEs, Cyber, Naval combat, Air combat, Ground combat.
About UVN
With the support of the State of Lower Saxony and under the umbrella of UVN, we have built a strong platform for the security and defence industry in Lower Saxony since August 2025. In the meantime, around 400 stakeholders have joined us – from OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to specialised SMEs, enablers, startups, educational and research institutions, all the way to political actors.
Together, we pursue one goal: to bring value creation to Lower Saxony and, in particular with our strong SMEs, to contribute to the defence of our national sovereignty as well as that of our alliance partners.
To achieve our goal, we maintain constant dialogue with our members. One key finding that we keep hearing constantly: the sector is growing and is increasingly developing into an independent industrial counterweight to the civilian industry. The greatest identified need lies in the area of “initiating industrial cooperation”.
Many companies are looking for suitable partners – but there is often a lack of structured formats to help them find each other in a targeted way. We address this need, among other things, through our monthly networking event and additional cooperation formats.
Point of contact
- Dr. Joachim Algermissen, Head of Security and Defense, jauvn [dot] digital (ja[at]uvn[dot]digital)
- Christoph Pein, Referent Sicherheit | Verteidigung, cpuvn [dot] digital (cp[at]uvn[dot]digital)
Stay inspired with the EU Defence Observer newsletter, your monthly gateway to the dynamic world of EU defence.
The EU Defence Observer is a new monthly newsletter dedicated to raising awareness among individuals interested in defence activities carried out by the Commission, with a focus on programme directly supported by DG DEFIS.
- Organisations
ENDR brings together defence-related regional organisations and clusters with SMEs, suppliers, manufacturers and other key stakeholders. Explore the map to find a defence-related organisation that could help your dual-use activities. Total number of members: 105
- Join the network
By sharing information on dual-use strategies, developments and events, ENDR members help shape the European strategy for defence-related regions. If you are a regional organisation, cluster or similar body in the EU (or Norway), you can join the network by filling in the form.
- Resources
This page provides an overview of the different funding and networking opportunities in the EU and beyond. How can you support your future project?
Latest News
This morning, the European Commission adopted a EUR 1.5 billion multiannual work programme
The International Defence and Security Conference and Exhibition, BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2026 officially kicked off on 26 February 2026.
EUDIS Defence Hackathon Spring 2026 opens call for participants. The EUDIS Defence Hackathon Spring 2026 has officially opened its call for participants. From 16 February, innovators from across Europe and beyond are invited to register.
A research paper on the benefits for regions from defence spending and the added value of DEFIS’ ENDR was recently published in the journal EconPol Forum.
