The aim of the PERCEPTIONS project is to identify and understand the narratives and (mis-)perceptions of the EU abroad and assess potential issues related to the border and external security in order to allow better planning and outline reactions and countermeasures of illegal immigration. For that purpose, the project will conduct research on the narratives and the myths that are circulating about the EU in countries West- and Central Mediterranean area. Based on the research insights, the consortium will develop a PERCEPTIONS framework model including policy recommendations, action plans, and a policy.

The project will combine for the first time a multi-role lighter-than-air (LTA) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with an ultra-high resolution multi-sensor surveillance payload supporting border surveillance as well as search & rescue applications, and specifically rough terrain detection. The sensor payload will include synthetic aperture radar (SAR), shortwave/longwave infrared (SWIR/LWIR), acoustic cameras for direct target detection, as well as optical and hyperspectral cameras for indirect detection (via vegetation disturbance). The technology concepts will be validated in the field by 4 border police units (Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova) covering 3 major illegal migration routes into Europe (Eastern Mediterranean, Western Balkan, and Eastern Borders Routes), which represent 58% of all illegal border crossings detected and are also the most used for smuggling of drugs, weapons, and stolen vehicles.