ASSOCIATION PEGASE

Their core work

SAFE Cluster (operating as Association Pégase) is a French cluster organization based in Aix-en-Provence that connects innovation ecosystems around civil security, fire and rescue services, and space technology commercialization. They specialize in building networks between first responders, technology providers, and research institutions to develop and test practical capabilities for emergency management. Their work spans coordinating practitioner-driven innovation networks, supporting space-tech startups entering non-space markets, and managing cross-sector dialogue on wildfire risk across Europe.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2018), SAFE Cluster focused on building foundational networks: fire and rescue practitioner innovation (FIRE-IN), doctoral training partnerships with Aix-Marseille University (DOC2AMU), and digital experimentation infrastructure (RAWFIE). From 2019 onward, they shifted decisively toward wildfire risk management, space-tech startup ecosystems, and urban security/resilience — reflecting a maturation from general network-building to domain-specific applied safety challenges. The recent concentration on wildfire management across multiple concurrent projects (FirEUrisk, FIRELOGUE) signals this as their strongest growth area.

SAFE Cluster is consolidating around wildfire management and civil security resilience, making them a natural partner for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction projects in the 2025+ funding cycles.

How they like to work

SAFE Cluster operates as both a consortium leader and an active partner, having coordinated 2 of their 8 projects (FIRE-IN, SecurIT) while participating in the rest. With 110 unique partners across 25 countries, they function as a network hub — their core value is convening diverse actors rather than delivering narrow technical work. This makes them an accessible partner: they are experienced at managing multi-country consortia and connecting practitioners with researchers.

Extensive European network spanning 110 unique consortium partners across 25 countries, reflecting their role as a cluster organization that connects practitioners, SMEs, and research institutions. Their geographic base in Aix-en-Provence and connections to Southern European fire management communities give them strong Mediterranean reach.

What sets them apart

SAFE Cluster sits at a rare intersection: they bridge the gap between security/emergency practitioners who need solutions and the research community developing them. Unlike pure research organizations, they understand operational realities of fire services and civil protection agencies. Unlike pure industry players, they have deep EU project coordination experience and a 110-partner network that can be mobilized for new consortia quickly.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SecurIT
  Their largest project (EUR 1.98M) as coordinator, focused on creating new industrial value chains for safe, secure, and resilient cities — their most ambitious leadership role.
• FIRE-IN
  Coordinated a EUR 978K network connecting fire and rescue practitioners with innovation, establishing SAFE Cluster as the go-to convener for first responder capability development.
• FirEUrisk
  Part of a major European wildfire management strategy project running to 2025, positioning them at the center of the growing wildfire risk agenda driven by climate change.