Copernicus Border Surveillance Service Evolution Prize
Contest Reaches Milestone with Demo Day
Frontex has taken a significant
step forward in its mission to innovate and enhance border surveillance and
management with the successful completion of Demo Day of the Prize Contest
focused on the development of a Digital Twin. Held on 23-24 June 2025, the
event saw three top teams - Kondorcad Landsurv from Romania, GMV from Spain,
and the Institute of Geodesy and Cartography from Poland - showcase their
innovative solutions for developing a Digital Twin of a sample of terrain close
to the Dubova Region in Romania.
The Prize Contest is part of
Frontex's effort to expand the Copernicus Border Surveillance Service (CBSS)
and improve the European Border and Coast Guard community's capabilities in
scenario simulations, operational exercises, and technical equipment deployment
planning. The contest aims to incentivise industry to develop innovative
concepts and technological solutions for cost-efficient, scalable, and
integrated operational capabilities for border surveillance.
During Demo Day, the three teams worked tirelessly to
respond to two challenging tasks, demonstrating their commitment and dedication
to delivering comprehensive solutions.
On the first day, the teams received
Challenge Cards with a description of simulation scenarios, and on the second day,
they presented their results, showcasing their ability to work under pressure
and think creatively.
The Challenge Cards described the
following scenarios:
Demo Day marked the culmination
of Phase 2, where the teams demonstrated their solutions and responded to the proposed
scenarios and parameters.
The evaluation process is now
underway, with the results to be announced during the Award Ceremony on 18 September
2025 in Warsaw. The top three teams will receive prizes, with the winner
receiving EUR 80,000, the second-place team receiving EUR 60,000, and the
third-place team receiving EUR 40,000.
All three teams have demonstrated
exceptional skills and commitment, making them winners already. The final
evaluation will focus on ranking the teams, with the winner being announced at
the Award Ceremony.
The creation of a Digital Twin of
the EU's external borders is a groundbreaking initiative that could enhance the
Member States’ capabilities in monitoring and managing their borders. This
Prize Contest is a significant step forward in the development of innovative
solutions for border surveillance and management, playing a crucial role in
supporting the European Union's Integrated Border Management and Digitisation Strategy,
which aims to leverage cutting-edge technologies to improve the security,
efficiency, and effectiveness of operations.
The contest has brought together
industry experts, researchers, end users, and policymakers to collaborate and
share knowledge, driving innovation and excellence in the field. The outcomes
of the contest are expected to have a positive impact on the European Border
and Coast Guard community, enhancing their capabilities and contributing to a
safer and more secure Europe.
Stay tuned for the final results!
