FONDAZIONE AGENFOR INTERNATIONAL-IMPRESA SOCIALE

Their core work

AGENFOR is an Italian social enterprise foundation based in Rimini that specializes in security research related to radicalization, organized crime, and migration challenges. They conduct field studies, develop prevention toolkits, and analyze how social media and digital platforms intersect with security threats such as terrorism, hybrid threats, and migration-related misconceptions. Their work bridges social science research with practical policy tools, focusing on understanding and countering radicalization and organized crime networks across Europe.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

AGENFOR's early H2020 work (2016-2018) centered on understanding organized crime and terrorist networks (TAKEDOWN) and building operational skills for counter-radicalization (MINDb4ACT). From 2018 onward, their focus shifted toward migration-specific challenges and the role of digital media — analyzing how social media misconceptions shape migration risks (MIRROR) and building ICT tools for migration services (MIICT). The trajectory shows a clear move from broad security threats toward the intersection of migration, digital media analysis, and hybrid threats.

AGENFOR is moving toward analyzing how digital media and misinformation create security risks in the migration context, positioning them at the intersection of security and digital society.

How they like to work

AGENFOR has participated exclusively as a partner — never as coordinator — across all five H2020 projects, suggesting they contribute domain expertise rather than lead large consortia. With 63 unique partners across 24 countries, they operate in large, diverse security consortia typical of H2020 Pillar 3 projects. Their broad partner network and consistent participation pattern indicate they are a trusted contributing partner that integrates well into multi-national research teams.

AGENFOR has collaborated with 63 distinct partners across 24 countries, reflecting the large consortium sizes typical of EU security research. Their network spans most of Europe, with no indication of geographic concentration beyond their Italian base.

What sets them apart

AGENFOR brings a social enterprise perspective to EU security research — combining NGO flexibility with structured research capacity in sensitive areas like radicalization and migration. Their strength lies in bridging field-level social research (migration studies, community engagement) with digital analysis (social media monitoring, cross-media threat detection). For consortium builders, they offer a non-governmental voice with direct experience in both the human and digital dimensions of European security challenges.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MIRROR
  Their most recent and thematically richest project, combining social media analysis, migration field studies, and hybrid threat assessment — representing the convergence of their accumulated expertise.
• MINDb4ACT
  Their largest funded project (EUR 284,366), focused on co-creating counter-radicalization responses in operational environments.
• MIICT
  Demonstrates their capacity to work on practical ICT solutions for migration services, extending beyond pure research into digital public service design.