Funded by the European Union and EuroCyber Nexus logos displayed on a blue digital background featuring binary code patterns representing cybersecurity and data technologies.

EUROCYBER NEXUS – European Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems for Cybersecurity Readiness

EUROCYBER NEXUS (European Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems for Cybersecurity Readiness) is a project funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe Programme. Its aim is to strengthen the cohesion of European cybersecurity innovation ecosystems and enhance the preparedness of SMEs to meet the requirements of the EU NIS2 Directive. The project connects innovation regions at different stages of development across Finland (Helsinki-Uusimaa), Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia and Lombardy-Apulia), Romania (Timiș), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo).

Project objectives and key activities

The project develops a structured operating model, the Policy Innovation Cycle, which integrates cybersecurity policy, innovation support, and SME regulatory compliance into a shared framework for interregional cooperation.

Ecosystem mapping and benchmarking: Identify and analyse the cybersecurity ecosystems, SME needs, and policy frameworks across participating regions.
Co-design of NIS2 readiness tools: Develop and prototype practical methods and tools, including a modular NIS2 Readiness Toolkit, to support SMEs and innovation ecosystems.
Agile piloting: Implement ten regional agile pilots, with two pilots in each partner region, including two in Finland, to test and refine the support methods developed within the project.
Joint roadmap and governance model: Develop and validate a Joint Interregional Cybersecurity Innovation Roadmap (2026-2028), as well as investment and governance models to support long-term cooperation beyond the project.

Haaga-Helia’s role in the project

Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences leads the project's second work package, WP2: Peer Dialogue and Methodology Co-design. Haaga-Helia is responsible for organising interregional workshops, coordinating the agile piloting phase, and producing the final Validated Methodology Handbook.

In addition, Haaga-Helia will host the Advisory Board validation meeting (Policy Gate #2) in Finland and utilise the project results to update its cybersecurity curricula at both bachelor's and master's levels. The project will also support the development of new commercial training offerings for corporate customers.