Final Newsletter

Read our final newsletter! Featuring the project closure, message from the coordination team and the celebration of our results.

Newsletter #11 I Latest Updates on Urban Security

Check out the 11th Newsletter for the latest updates on the IcARUS project!

• Relive the highlights from our Final Conference, the project’s remarkable achievements and how these efforts are paving the way for safer cities.
• Explore IcARUS policy briefs that address critical issues such as juvenile delinquency prevention, the impact of social innovation on urban security, the role of local authorities in preventing radicalization, and more.
• Tune in to the Urban Security Podcast, powered by Efus.

Enjoy the reading!

A lasting impact on Urban Security: Key Numbers from the IcARUS Project

The IcARUS project has made substantial impact in enhancing urban security across Europe, and the numbers tell a powerful story. Over the past four years, the project has developed six innovative tools specifically designed to address pressing security challenges in partner cities, which have been tested out in real-world environments, involving over 240 participants in 12 local workshops and training more than 120 practitioners!

The project’s reach and influence have been extensive, with key outputs including 11 factsheets, 6 policy briefs, and more than 7 scientific publications. These resources have provided valuable insights into the project’s work, helping to shape urban security strategies across the continent.

IcARUS has also made a significant contribution to public awareness and knowledge-sharing, producing 12 newsletters, 74 articles, and 26 videos and interviews. These efforts were complemented by the organization of 5 European conferences and participation in more than 70 European events, ensuring that the project’s findings were disseminated widely.

The success of IcARUS is also reflected in the training sessions delivered, with over 15 local practitioners trained in the Design Thinking methodology—a key component of the project’s approach. The innovative tools developed under IcARUS were designed to be human-centered and adaptable, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of different urban contexts.

As the project concludes, these numbers highlight the tangible impact IcARUS has had on urban security practices across Europe. The tools, strategies, and resources developed through this collaborative effort will continue to influence and improve urban security long into the future.

Find out more about the IcARUS legacy by exploring our website, and accessing all the results online!

A Journey Concluded, A Legacy Begun

As the IcARUS project reaches its conclusion, we reflect on a transformative four-year journey that has redefined urban security across Europe. From its inception, IcARUS was more than just a project; it was a collective mission uniting cities, universities, and organizations to address pressing urban security challenges.

The project’s foundation was built on innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to safer cities. Throughout this journey, IcARUS partners have worked tirelessly to co-create tools, strategies, and methodologies that address the complexities of modern urban security. From tackling organized crime to designing safer public spaces, preventing juvenile delinquency, and combating radicalization, IcARUS has delivered concrete outcomes that will resonate far beyond the project’s end.

A key aspect of this journey has been the active involvement of six partner cities—Lisbon, Nice, Riga, Rotterdam, Stuttgart, and Turin as well as the excecutive committee of cities. These cities have been both the testing grounds and beneficiaries of IcARUS’s innovative tools and approaches. Their experiences, challenges, and successes have shaped the development of practices that are not only effective but adaptable to different urban contexts across Europe.

The journey of IcARUS has also been marked by an unwavering focus on community engagement and inclusivity. The project’s success can be attributed to the strong partnerships formed between local authorities, law enforcement, civil society, and academia. These collaborations have ensured that the tools and strategies developed are grounded in real-world needs and can be sustained beyond the life of the project.

As we look back on the accomplishments of IcARUS, it is clear that this journey has laid the groundwork for a lasting legacy. The innovative approaches and solutions pioneered by IcARUS will continue to inform and inspire urban security practices across Europe. While the project itself may be concluding, its impact is just beginning, with the potential to shape safer, more resilient cities for years to come.