CROSS-BORDER RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

Their core work

CBRA is a Swiss research association specializing in customs security, cross-border trade risk management, and supply chain protection. They develop data fusion and analytics solutions for European customs authorities, helping detect organised crime and security threats in international trade flows. They also coordinate pan-European networks of customs practitioners to co-develop and test new security technologies and operational methods.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

CBRA's early H2020 work (2015-2018) centred on data-driven approaches to customs — big data analytics, data fusion, and inter-customs risk sharing through PROFILE and SYNCHRO-NET. From 2018 onward, their focus broadened into operational security applications: organised crime detection, supply chain security co-development with practitioners (PEN-CP), and augmented reality tools for border control (ARESIBO). The shift indicates a move from pure data analytics research toward applied, practitioner-driven security solutions.

CBRA is evolving from a data analytics research group into an operational hub that connects customs authorities, technology developers, and security practitioners across Europe.

How they like to work

CBRA splits evenly between leading and joining projects — they coordinated 2 out of 4 projects, including their two largest. With 65 unique partners across 24 countries from just 4 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia and function as a connector organisation. Their coordination of a CSA (PEN-CP) suggests they are trusted to manage multi-country practitioner networks, not just deliver technical work packages.

CBRA has built a remarkably broad network of 65 unique partners across 24 countries from only 4 projects, averaging over 16 partners per project. This reach across most of Europe signals strong connections to customs authorities, security agencies, and research institutions continent-wide.

What sets them apart

CBRA occupies a rare niche at the intersection of customs operations, security research, and cross-border data sharing — a domain where few research organisations have both the technical depth and the practitioner trust required. Based in Switzerland, they bring a neutral, non-EU perspective that may be advantageous for pan-European customs cooperation. Their ability to coordinate large practitioner networks (PEN-CP has a 7-year timeline and EUR 2.1M budget) makes them a strong anchor partner for security-related consortia.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PEN-CP
  Their largest project (EUR 2.16M, 7-year duration), a CSA coordinating a pan-European customs practitioners network — unusually long-running and well-funded for a coordination action.
• PROFILE
  Coordinated this RIA on customs risk management data analytics (EUR 944K), directly linking big data and data fusion to practical customs operations.
• ARESIBO
  Demonstrates their reach beyond customs into border security technology, contributing expertise in sensors correlation and command-and-control systems.