IcARUS Policy Brief: Implementing Evaluation Strategies in Urban Security Prevention Programmes

The strategy outlined in this policy briefing provides a much-needed framework for policy makers and practitioners, along with the wider community of researchers and citizens actively involved in urban security strategies, to implement robust, sustained and effective evaluation.

IcARUS Policy Brief: Fostering Young Engagement for Juvenile Delinquency prevention

Juvenile delinquency is not a new phenomenon; it has consistently been at the forefront of public attention and a concern for local, regional and national authorities across Europe. Over the years, various trends and theories have emerged, aiming to understand its root causes and develop initiatives to prevent youth involvement in crime and delinquency.

While rehabilitation and correctional approaches were the dominant methods for addressing juvenile delinquency up until the 1970s, there has since been a growing emphasis on prevention strategies. These strategies focus on early intervention, community engagement and preventing offending before it occurs.

IcARUS Policy Brief: Unveiling the Power of Social Innovation in Urban Security

The evolution and/or transformation of problems related to urban security makes it necessary for public policy-makers to continually adapt their services to new challenges to be able to respond to citizens’ needs in a timely manner. Re-thinking the way in which urban security policies are having a positive impact on the quality of life of all citizens, especially today as public policy processes strive to better align with citizens’ expectations, should be a priority for policy makers.

Many design-based innovation methodologies, including design thinking, human-centred design and strategic foresight, can support local authorities in exploring possibilities without constraints. These processes can inform urban security policies making them more inclusive and truly co-produced, and oriented towards citizens’ needs. They can also speed up their implementation.

IcARUS Policy Brief: Aknowledging the Key Role of Local and Regional Authorities in Crafting Inclusive Community Initiatives to Prevent Radiclization Leading to Violent Extremism

European cities and regions are faced with the phenomenon of extremism that can lead to violence, which can take various forms. Besides actions taken at the international, European and national levels by public authorities and law enforcement, local authorities can play a key role in addressing this phenomenon. Indeed, they are close to communities on the ground and can lead preventive actions to build the resilience of individuals and communities together with local stakeholders.

IcARUS Policy Brief: Building Resilient Communities – The Local Roots and Impacts of Organised Crime

According to the Council of Europe’s 2015 White Paper on transnational organised crime, some 3,600 international organised criminal groups are active in Europe. The Council stresses that organised crime is one of the most serious threats faced by Europe because of its adaptability, sophisticated tools, violence, diversity of crime type and ability to forge alliances and operate across borders in all parts of Europe.

The transnational nature of organised crime calls for Europe-wide and global responses and indeed, countering it is one of the top priorities of the Council of Europe and multilateral organisations such as the United Nations Convention Against Organised Crime (UNTOC). However, in the end, it is always at a local level that organised crime is most directly felt, whether because a neighbourhood is rife with drug trafficking, or money laundered through local businesses or real estate projects, or gangs exchanging gunfire in the streets.

IcARUS Policy brief: Fostering Community Involvement in Safe Public Spaces

Safeguarding urban public spaces and managing them in ways that promote safety, inclusivity and accessibility remains one of the top priorities of local and regional authorities, and a key mandate from the public. Urban public spaces are central to the attractiveness and quality of life of cities. They are vital to urban life and wellbeing: places for communication, gatherings, political demonstrations, artistic and cultural performances and all sorts of entertainment.1 They are places where people come together and interact with other people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

Yet the quality and sustainability of public spaces face a range of threats, and ensuring that they remain safe, inclusive and open to all is a complex challenge.2 As the level of governance closest to citizens, local and regional authorities are best placed to understand their concerns in relation to safe and open public spaces and implement appropriate measures to reduce feelings of insecurity.