The European Network of Defence-related Regions (ENDR) was launched in 2016 by the European Commission. Until the end of 2021, ENDR was funded by the COSME programme. From 2022 onwards, the ENDR is funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF).
ENDR has 3 objectives:
- Bringing regional organisations and clusters together to exchange best practices on how to develop defence-related development strategies, including the integration of defence industrial and research assets into smart specialisation strategies
- Facilitating the flow of information for funding opportunities (such as the European Defence Fund, and other EU structural and investment funds); and
- Promoting the development of regional clusters of excellence.
As of 21 September 2026, 132 entities from 23 Member States, Norway and Ukraine are members of the network.
Since its inception, DG DEFIS, together with ENDR members, have organised 28 conferences/workshops in the past 10 years on topics such as maritime security, drones, maintenance in defence domains, Healthcare and Medical Countermeasures, dual use, skills in defence industry, cyber defence and cybersecurity and others.
More conferences and events are taking place in 2026
DG DEFIS has also been organising annual meetings with ENDR members since 2016.
DG DEFIS is in regular contact with members to keep them informed about relevant funding initiatives, and open to suggestions for future events.
You can contact us by email DEFIS-ENDR
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (DEFIS-ENDR[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu).
New members
Cluster Andalucia Logistics
Areas of activities
Force Protection & mobility; Cyber; Digital transformation; Innovative defence technologies SMEs; Disruptive technologies; Materials and components.
About the Cluster Andalucia Logistics
Andalucía Logistics is the accredited cluster (Junta de Andalucía, Feb. 2026) representing the logistics, transport and supply-chain sector, integrated in the Andalusian Knowledge System of innovation clusters. We connect companies, universities and technology centres to drive innovation, competitiveness and internationalisation across the value chain.
We are a founding partner of the Alianza Andaluza de la Industria de Defensa (est. July 2026), bringing together 320+ companies from the aerospace, defence, logistics, railway and naval sectors — positioning Andalusia as a strategic industrial and logistics hub for European defence-related supply chains.
We provide member companies with technical assistance to strengthen their competitiveness and support their participation in European industrial and defence-related value chains.
Why would we like to join ENDR?
We want to connect Andalucía's defence-industrial ecosystem with other European regions, share expertise in logistics and supply-chain resilience, and build joint defence-industrial projects.
What are we looking for?
We are looking to connect with defence-related clusters, regions and organisations across Europe, build lasting collaboration channels, and identify joint project opportunities. We aim to exchange best practices, strengthen cross-border industrial partnerships, and increase our visibility as a strategic logistics and defence hub.
Our Defence-related success stories
Our members include companies with extensive defence-contract experience in Spain and other EU states. We have driven 5 dual-use innovation projects awarded under Andalusian competitive grant programmes. Founding the Alianza Andaluza de la Industria de Defensa with 3 other clusters is itself an innovative, collaborative initiative.
Point of contact
Antonio Vilchez
Cluster Manager
directorandalucialogistics [dot] es (director[at]andalucialogistics[dot]es)
Ukrainian Cluster Alliance (UCA)
Areas of activities
Advanced passive and active sensors; Energy resilience & environmental transition; Medical response, CBRN and Human factors; Force Protection & mobility; Air combat; Simulation and training; Cyber; Space; Digital transformation; Innovative defence technologies SMEs; Materials and components
About the Ukrainian Cluster Alliance
The Ukrainian Cluster Alliance (UCA) is the national umbrella body of Ukraine's cluster movement, uniting 42 clusters and 2,500+ SMEs across all key industries and regions. Together with the Ministry of Economy, UCA shapes national and regional cluster policy and connects members to European value chains, EEN and ECCP.
UCA leads Clusters4Defense, an initiative mobilizing Ukrainian and EU clusters as Defence Enablers in the Dual-Use/MilTech sectorб https://www.clusters.org.ua/en/clusters4defense-initiative/.
It integrates EU-UA cluster potential through prototyping centre networks, EDF access, supply-chain localisation, reskilling/upskilling, and cluster internationalisation — turning frontline innovation into scalable, export-ready production and strengthening Ukraine's integration into Europe's defence-industrial and innovation ecosystem.
Why would we like to join ENDR?
To connect our clusters and their members with EU regions/clusters, access EDF funding, exchange dual-use best practices, and deepen Ukraine's defence-industrial integration into Europe.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for EU regional/cluster partners for matchmaking and joint dual-use projects, access to EDF/EU funding opportunities, best-practice exchange on cluster-led defence innovation, and support integrating our 8 Dual-Use/MilTech clusters into European supply chains.
Our Defence-related success stories
UCA's “Dual-Use Technologies” Resource Center unites 8 Dual-Use/MilTech clusters (~400 manufacturers) under one integrated project portfolio strengthening both producers and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Leading clusters IRON and Dual-Use Cluster grow 20%+/year; United Innovative Space Clusters (USC) joined a clusters IRON and Dual-Use Cluster grow 20%+/year; United Innovative Space Clusters (USC) joined a Eurocluster drone-sector project. Every year we participate as a partner in leading conferences of State accelerator Brave 1.
Point of contact
Yurchak Oleksandr
CEO of Ukrainian Cluster Alliance
yurchak [dot] alexandreclusters [dot] org [dot] ua (yurchak[dot]alexandre[at]clusters[dot]org[dot]ua)
infoclusters [dot] org [dot] ua (info[at]clusters[dot]org[dot]ua)
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ENDR Hub
Part of the Digital Space Ecosystem platform, the ENDR Hub is designed to foster independent interaction among ENDR members, offering a space to explore new opportunities, connect with peers, and leverage our tools to maximise collaboration.
- Organisations
ENDR brings together defence-related regional organisations and clusters. Read the list to find a defence-related partner organisation that could support your activities. Total number of members: 132
- Join the network
By sharing information on dual-use strategies, developments and events, ENDR members help shape the European strategy for defence-related regions. If you are a regional organisation, cluster or similar body in the EU (or Norway), you can join the network by filling in the form.
- Resources
This page provides an overview of the different funding and networking opportunities in the EU and beyond. How can you support your future project?
ENDR News
We would like to inform you that we are relaunching our search for more independent experts to assist the Commission for the evaluation of the proposals that will be submitted by 29 September 2026 in response to the EDF 2026 calls for proposals.
It would be a great help if you could share this information with your national and regional networks and encourage any potential independent experts to:
- Sign up to our database of potential independent experts on the EU Funding & Tenders portal
- Fill in the EU Survey – Experts for EDF 2026 Calls
Please note that we can only use experts who already have a valid Personal Security Clearance (PSC) issued by the relevant national authorities.
Further information is available at https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/calls-tenders/defence-industry-call-experts-assist-european-commission-evaluation-proposals-submitted-funding_en.
Latest News
Ukraine cluster alliance is the union of Ukrainian clusters with the strong focus on industrial and high-tech clusters
We are pleased to announce the publication of the Regions Dual-use Open Strategic Autonomy (REGDUALOSA) policy brief.
Join the next Cycle of BraveTechEU DefTech Forges and claim your place in the history of the European defence ecosystem.
On 25/6/2026, the first online event “ENDR Newcomers' Day” took place, where 13 new members joining ENDR during the last months presented themselves.
On 13 April 2026, a new call was launched inviting start-ups and scale-ups to apply for the next Autumn Cohort of the EUDIS Defence Business Accelerator, with the programme set to commence in September 2026. A total of 20 companies will be selected to participate. The call is open until 30 May.
This morning, the European Commission adopted a EUR 1.5 billion multiannual work programme
The International Defence and Security Conference and Exhibition, BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2026 officially kicked off on 26 February 2026.
EUDIS Defence Hackathon Spring 2026 opens call for participants. The EUDIS Defence Hackathon Spring 2026 has officially opened its call for participants. From 16 February, innovators from across Europe and beyond are invited to register.
A research paper on the benefits for regions from defence spending and the added value of DEFIS’ ENDR was recently published in the journal EconPol Forum.
