STUDIES & RESEARCH (15)
How do we explain the concept of Neighbourhood Watch to a child without generating anxiety? How can we transform "surveillance" into "care"?
These have been the most challenging questions for our community. Today, EUNWA is proud to present an innovative educational answer: The "Super Neighbours' Academy".
This project creates a bridge between the present and the future of our practice. It moves away from the traditional idea of "watching out for danger" and embraces a new, age-appropriate philosophy for children: The Kind Custodian.
A Shift in Perspective: From Threat to Care
At the heart of this workshop is a pedagogical shift. Instead of teaching children to look for "bad things" (a threat filter), we train them to use their "Curious Eyes" and "Kind Hearts" to notice what needs help or attention in their environment (a care filter).
Through the metaphor of Meerkats and engaging games like the "Perception Traffic Light", children learn the foundations of situational awareness. Most importantly, they learn the Golden Rule of safety: a child never intervenes directly but "activates the team" by sharing their observation with a trusted adult .
The Complete Educational Package
We are making this entire educational resource available to our members, teachers, and community leaders. The "Super Neighbours" package is a ready-to-use toolkit designed to run a safe, fun, and impactful 90-minute workshop.
What is included in the download:
- The tutor's operating manual: A comprehensive "flight manual" with a detailed script, ensuring every session is psychologically safe and pedagogically effective.
- The visual presentation: A colourful, engaging slide deck to guide the children through their missions.
- The "Kind Custodian" certificate: A certificate for children to colour and personalise, turning the experience into a lasting memory of pride.
- An online form for tutor feedback: A link to help us improve the project with your insights .
Start Cultivating Today
This project is more than just a lesson; it is an investment in the civic sense of our future citizens. It turns observation into an act of public pride.
We invite all Neighbourhood Watch organisations and teachers to download the materials and open the first "Super Neighbours' Academy" in their community.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL PACKAGE
- Manual (including the link to the tutor's online feedback form)
Note: If you require these materials in another European language, please contact us directly (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to enquire about availability.
Transforming passive presence into situational intelligence.
We live in an age often defined by a "fortress mentality". Our cities and buildings are increasingly saturated with the tools of security: high-definition CCTV, access control systems, and monolithic physical barriers. Yet, despite unprecedented investment in this hardware, the results are often ambiguous, and crime rates do not always fall in correlation with surveillance density.
Why? Because we have often overlooked the most sophisticated and adaptable resource we have: the human community.
A paradigm shift: from Hardware to Humanware
In our new White Paper, "The Ecology of Security: The Capable Guardian as the Cornerstone of Crime Prevention" , we argue that true security is not a product you buy, but a quality you cultivate.
The paper revisits "Routine Activity Theory" to redefine the concept of the Capable Guardian. Too often, we view a guardian as a passive entity—a security guard at a desk or a camera lens. Our central thesis is that the true capability of a guardian is not physical; it is an intellectual and perceptual skill. It is the ability to interpret context.
What you will find in the White Paper
By downloading the full document, you will explore:
- The anatomy of the Guardian: Why simply "seeing" is not enough, and how to transform passive presence into active vigilance.
- Lessons from Nature and Cyber-Security: What the human immune system and cyber-security analysts can teach us about threat detection (Spoiler: it is always about distinguishing "normality" from "anomaly").
- The synergy of guardians: How to make residents (informal guardians), law enforcement (formal guardians), and technology (mechanical guardians) work in concert.
- Practical strategies: How to design neighbourhoods that foster natural surveillance and how to train citizens to read their environment without descending into paranoia or vigilantism.
Security is a shared responsibility. It is the quiet vigilance of a neighbour, the professional integrity of a network administrator, and the awareness of a community that knows how to look after itself.
Download White Paper "The Ecology of Security" (PDF)
Why do we sometimes feel unsafe, even when crime statistics suggest otherwise?
In an era of rapid social and technological change, security has become a central concern for every European citizen. Yet, the threats we perceive are often different from the objective reality. A broken window, a poorly lit park, or a sensationalist headline can trigger deep anxiety, regardless of the actual crime rate.
EUNWA is pleased to present its new White Paper, "Risk Perception and the Psychology of Security: From Theory to Action".
This document is not merely an academic study; it is an operational handbook designed to bridge the gap between psychological theory and the everyday practice of security. It serves as a practical guide for citizens, law enforcement officers, and policymakers who wish to build safer, more resilient communities.
From 'Eastwick' to Real life: what you will find inside
To make complex concepts accessible, the White Paper introduces the fictional neighbourhood of 'Eastwick'. Through the stories of its residents—like Klaus and Mary—we explore how cognitive biases, social media, and gender perspectives shape our sense of safety.
Key topics covered include:
- The "Insecurity Lifecycle": How a vague sense of unease transforms into fear and changes our behaviour.
- Signal Crimes: Why minor signs of disorder (like graffiti or vandalism) can have a disproportionate impact on a community's trust.
- The Gender Perspective: Understanding the specific and often overlooked dynamics of women's safety in public and private spaces.
- The Trap of "Fake News": How to navigate the digital landscape without falling prey to alarmism.
A Call for shared responsibility
This White Paper advocates for a "bottom-up" philosophy. We believe that security is not solely the task of institutions, but a shared objective that requires the active and conscious participation of every citizen.
However, this initiative also serves as a call to action for political leadership. As highlighted in the document, transparency, accountability, and a commitment to the social contract are the prerequisites for effective prevention.
Whether you are a Neighbourhood Watch coordinator, a police officer, a local councillor, or simply a concerned citizen, this handbook provides the tools to:
- Develop critical thinking and risk literacy.
- Communicate more effectively during crises.
- Implement evidence-based strategies like the 'Contact Hypothesis' to reduce social friction.
Download the Full White Paper (PDF)
By Valeria Lorenzelli
What words do you use to describe the places in your city?
I have a confession to make: I have a deep aversion to the word "periphery". It’s a subtle, almost imperceptible irritation. Every time I hear someone use it to describe parts of my city or others, I find myself wondering what hidden assumptions they are unconsciously trying to uphold.
Over time, I've come to realise it’s a term that conceals an implicit hierarchy of value; a division that goes far beyond simple urban geography. The "periphery" is never just a physical location. It is a social construct, laden with judgment. It carries a default narrative of marginality and lack; a distance that is not just physical but cultural and moral, from a supposed "centre" of greater importance.
The Hidden Power of Words
In my work with placemaking, I've learned that places are also stories. They are collective narratives that define how we see spaces, how we live in them, how we invest in them, and even how we build public policies to transform them. The words we choose to describe places are just that—a choice. And for that reason, they are never neutral.
When we label a neighbourhood as "run-down," "at-risk," or a "dormitory suburb," we are building a narrative that influences perceptions, policy decisions, and the very sense of belonging for those who live there every day. As Henri Lefebvre, the theorist of "spatial justice," wrote: "Urban space is not a neutral container, but a social product that reflects power relations". And language is one of the most potent tools through which these power relations are expressed and perpetuated.
Labelling a neighbourhood as "the periphery" is like a bully giving a classmate a demeaning nickname. The nickname doesn't actually describe the person, but it creates a narrative that weakens them, one that others accept without question. Over time, this label affects how others see them, and even how they start to see themselves. In the same way, defining a neighbourhood with negative labels builds a narrative that impacts both external perception and the identity of those who live there.
The use of the word "periphery" by some media outlets, especially those focused on crime reporting, is particularly problematic. These outlets tend to overuse the term to generalise and quickly sketch out troubling situations. In doing so, they trigger an unconscious apprehension in the reader or, conversely, a sense of privilege derived from feeling distant from such realities.
While it is difficult to precisely quantify the extent of this phenomenon, reports from the Osservatorio di Pavia, initiatives by the Bracco Foundation (like the 'Ten, One Hundred, One Thousand Centres' conference), and studies by Save the Children all confirm a structural problem: the media and social narrative of the peripheries often focuses on deprivation, decay, and marginality. The result is that the opportunities, resources, and development potential present in these areas are obscured.
As Save the Children points out in its 'Atlas of Children at Risk':
"One of the problems for children and young people in the Italian peripheries is the mental laziness with which we have, for decades, continued to represent the contexts where they are born and grow up. Headline after headline, image after image, we have helped create indelible labels that stick to them, fuelling anger and frustration. While the reputation of some neighbourhoods risks branding the aspirations and dreams of many young people, the term 'periphery' is used so obsessively that it has almost lost all meaning."
This selective portrayal creates what the urban sociologist Loïc Wacquant calls "territorial stigma". This is a process where the negative public image of these neighbourhoods becomes impressed upon both the public consciousness and state policies, fuelling prejudice and fear. It triggers a vicious cycle where media stigma reinforces social isolation and economic disinvestment.
The Voice of the Inhabitants
A fundamental aspect, often overlooked, is the impact these narratives have on those who live in the territories labelled as "peripheries". When we listen to the inhabitants, a complex and ambivalent relationship with these external narratives emerges.
On one hand, we find a strong identification with their area and a sense of community that is often more intense than elsewhere, sometimes accompanied by an internalisation of that stigma. On the other, this awareness can also generate proactivity, positive action, and the strength to act authentically and assert their right to self-determination.
This is a significant problem for adolescents, who are still defining their own identities and could end up self-limiting their potential. Those who live in stigmatised contexts may internalise the idea that they live in a place of lesser value or with fewer opportunities, to the point of giving up on seeking future possibilities.
As a professional working in these communities, what I find most important is that this one-dimensional narrative offers no support to people and opens no doors for improvement.
A New Lexicon for Our Communities
This awareness led to my playbook, "#1Post.t: Words That Map Places": a guide to language for describing neighbourhoods that overcomes stereotypes and prejudices, and helps us see our communities with fresh eyes. This playbook offers concrete tools and new ways of seeing and speaking about contemporary urban complexity in its entirety, moving beyond the oversimplifications that often characterise public debate.
Take, for example, the expression "dormitory suburb". This term reduces an entire community to its residential function, as if it were fundamentally true that people only return there to sleep, living their "real" daily lives elsewhere. A more balanced narrative would instead acknowledge the social relationships, the small businesses, and all the elements that make up the daily life of a neighbourhood. Terms like "neighbourhood network" highlight the bonds between residents, while "neighbourhood ecosystem" illuminates the complex social and economic dynamics. Even definitions like "housing context," "urban structure," or "urban fabric" offer a more complete picture and avoid devaluing the place. Or, we can simply call it a "neighbourhood" and let the events and stories of those who live there define its identity.
Developing a more precise vocabulary, therefore, means critically questioning the categories we use to interpret these territories. It means recognising their intrinsic complexity and the multiple identities that characterise them, beyond reductive frameworks.
It's crucial to clarify and acknowledge the limits of our language, because this allows us to move past the simple existence of fragile situations. In fact, when an area is genuinely experiencing social vulnerability or violence, the very first step towards authentic change is to restore dignity to that place through respectful language.
"A problem well-stated is a problem half-solved." — Charles Kettering
A truly transformative approach begins with a change in perspective. We must see these places as territories with their own identities, clearly define the problem, fully understand their specific resources and potential, and effectively tackle any challenge.
Ultimately, the vocabulary we use to describe our communities is a matter of territorial justice. Abandoning the binary logic of centre/periphery means embracing a polycentric vision of our cities, where every neighbourhood is valued for its uniqueness, not measured by its distance from a supposed centre.
Download the "Words That Map Places" playbook to begin your journey towards a more conscious use of territorial language. Whether you are a communicator, a public administrator, a professional, or simply someone interested in seeing your city with fresh eyes, this guide offers concrete tools for a communication style that is more respectful of the complexity of our communities.
So, what words do you use to describe the places in your city?
As the European Neighbourhood Watch Association (EUNWA), we are pleased to present our new report: "Searching for Missing Persons in Europe: A Guide to National Systems and Cooperation Models." We have designed this document as a practical guide for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and third-sector organisations, offering a clear and detailed comparison of the different alert and search systems currently active across the continent.
In the report, we map the considerable diversity of national approaches, from strongly state-led systems to models that rely heavily on the professionalism of volunteers. This guide provides professionals with a valuable tool to understand this complex landscape and identify effective practices.
The Crucial Role of Citizen Participation
A central finding of our research is the confirmation of the crucial role that citizens already play in supporting search operations. In the guide, we analyse several successful models of collaboration already active in Europe, demonstrating that public engagement is a key factor for success. These models range from community apps for vulnerable groups to highly professionalised volunteer search teams and digital mobilisation platforms that use social media to spread alerts.
Our Hypothesis for the Future: Extending the Search Network with Neighbourhood Watch
Building on this analysis of successful citizen participation, in our report we explore a working hypothesis for the future. We suggest that the formal involvement of established Neighbourhood Watch networks as official channels for disseminating alerts could significantly extend the reach and effectiveness of the search network.
The model we propose would leverage these trusted, geographically-focused community structures to act as trained "eyes and ears," complementing the work of law enforcement and specialised teams. We therefore conclude the report by inviting stakeholders to consider this framework as a basis for pilot projects, aimed at testing and adapting this promising approach to different national contexts.
This report is a tool we have designed for professionals working in the field of public safety and community engagement. It provides a comprehensive overview and a forward-looking perspective on how to build more resilient and collaborative communities.
The full report is available for free download.
Click here to download the guide: "Searching for Missing Persons in Europe"
In a contemporary Europe marked by profound transformations, the emergence and proliferation of "patriotic patrols" and vigilante movements present a phenomenon deserving of the highest attention. To provide a thorough understanding of this challenge, the European Neighbourhood Watch Association (EUNWA) has today released its comprehensive new research paper, "Vigilantism, Nationalism and the Rule of Law in Contemporary Europe". The study moves beyond surface-level observations to offer a multi-dimensional analysis of the contextual drivers, participant demographics, operational structures, and tangible impacts of these group.The research argues that while these groups often manifest in localized actions, they are embedded within broader socio-political contexts that challenge the very foundations of liberal democracy. They represent a pressing challenge not only to social cohesion but also to the rule of law itself. Their activities can erode the state's monopoly on the legitimate use of force, incite hatred against minorities, deepen social polarization, and delegitimize democratic institution.
The report identifies a complex interplay of factors fuelling the rise of these movements. It points to deep-seated socio-economic anxieties and resentments stemming from periods of economic crisis and growing inequality. These insecurities are often compounded by heightened public concerns regarding security and migration, particularly following the 2015-2016 influx and high-profile terrorist attacks, which created fertile ground for narratives linking immigration to threat. This environment is further shaped by a palpable crisis of trust in traditional institutions, including governments, mainstream media, and even the European Union, which allows "anti-system" narratives to flourish. These groups leverage these anxieties, framing them within potent ideologies of nationalism, nativism, and right-wing populism to champion a return to perceived "native" values and defend against so-called external and internal threats.
EUNWA's research dismantles simplistic stereotypes of the participants, revealing a diverse landscape of individuals drawn to these movements. Far from a monolithic bloc, the participants range from digitally-savvy youth activists, such as those in France's "Génération Identitaire," to middle-aged blue-collar workers in deindustrialized areas—so-called "geographies of frustration"—who might join patrols like Finland's "Soldiers of Odin". The study also identifies a strain of "senior patriotism" among older adherents closer to traditional politics, as seen with supporters of "Britain First" in the UK. The unifying element, the paper suggests, is often not a rigid ideology but a shared "fear of decline".
Delving into their operations, the report emphasizes that tracking financial flows is critical to understanding a movement's maturity and resilience. The ability to manage resources and raise funds marks the transition from fleeting online anger to an enduring organizational presence. Furthermore, financial trails often uncover international networks and support systems that are not apparent from street-level actions alone.
While precisely attributing violent incidents solely to these informal groups is challenging, the research points to a clear correlation between their presence and a rise in hate crimes and public disorder. An analysis of hate crime data shows that countries with a documented history of structured patrol groups, such as Germany with its Bürgerwehren linked to PEGIDA, tend to report higher incidences of physical assaults within their hate crime statistics.
Faced with this phenomenon, institutional responses across Europe have been varied, creating a "regulatory patchwork". Some states, like France and Greece, have adopted repressive approaches, formally dissolving groups like "Génération Identitaire" and "Golden Dawn". Others, such as Germany and Finland, have favoured discreet surveillance and the application of specific laws against paramilitary activities and hate speech. In contrast, countries like Poland and Hungary have shown forms of indirect tolerance or even support where the groups' narratives aligned with government agendas.
However, the EUNWA report concludes by arguing that suppression alone is unlikely to succeed if the underlying anxieties are not addressed through legitimate, democratic means. The proposed alternative to illegal vigilantism is to strengthen the democratic state's capacity to provide security through structured "Participatory Vigilance," or Neighbourhood Watch schemes. Unlike illegal patrols, these programs operate under strict rules and in close partnership with law enforcement. Their role is based on passive observation and qualified reporting through official channels, with an absolute prohibition on carrying out patrols, searches, or using weapons.
The report outlines five pillars for a safe and effective European model: a clear legal framework defining what volunteers can and cannot do; mandatory accreditation and training; the use of official, secure technology for reporting; inclusive governance that reflects community diversity; and independent monitoring to ensure accountability.
"The answer to the shadow of vigilantism is not more closure, but more democracy, more justice, and more cohesion," the report concludes. By channelling citizens' legitimate desire for security into a regulated and constructive framework, it is possible to strengthen the social fabric and reaffirm the core values upon which democratic Europe is based.
The EUNWA Board – July 2025
In today's digital age, communities rely heavily on online communication platforms to stay informed and connected. From neighbourhood watch groups to local forums, these tools are vital for safety, support, and social cohesion. However, they also face significant challenges: informational noise and social anxiety. Understanding and addressing these issues is essential for fostering safer, more inclusive, and resilient communities.
Despite good intentions, online community spaces often become cluttered with irrelevant or false information—what experts call informational noise. For example, during a minor flood, false rumours might spread about dam failures or resource shortages, creating unnecessary panic among residents. In some cases, unverified posts about crime spikes can lead neighbours to overreact, evacuating homes or avoiding public spaces without concrete reasons.
This clutter makes it difficult for residents to identify trustworthy updates and increases confusion and mistrust. Moreover, repeated exposure to alarming or unverified news can heighten social anxiety—feelings of fear, helplessness, and suspicion toward neighbours and authorities. For instance, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, false claims about dangerous mutations or vaccine side effects circulated widely on social platforms, fuelling fear and scepticism.
Trust is the foundation of effective community life. When residents doubt the reliability of information or fear social backlash, they may withdraw from participation—avoiding local events, hesitating to report issues, or spreading misinformation unknowingly. This erosion of social trust weakens community bonds and hampers coordinated responses to emergencies or everyday safety concerns.
Research indicates that social anxiety and information overload don't just cause personal discomfort—they jeopardize overall safety. During natural disasters like the 2021 floods in Germany and Belgium, while social media helped coordinate rescue efforts, false rumours about dam breaches spread quickly, causing panic and delaying official responses.
Addressing these social challenges requires creating purpose-built community platforms that prioritize empathy, clarity, and collective involvement. Some promising approaches include:
- Verified and Clear Sources: Platforms should emphasize messages from trusted authorities—like local officials or emergency services—using verified badges or clear attributions. For example, during a local fire, official alerts with consistent branding and straightforward language help residents trust the information.
- Emotional Support Channels: Dedicated spaces where residents can express fears or seek reassurance from neighbours or mental health professionals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some neighbourhoods set up online support groups that helped residents share concerns and receive accurate advice, reducing feelings of isolation.
- Moderation and Engagement: Trained moderators can filter out false claims and guide the community towards constructive dialogue. In the UK, some neighbourhood apps like Nextdoor implemented moderation teams that actively monitored content, which helped reduce misinformation and fostered a sense of safety.
- Empathy and Inclusive Design: Messages crafted to acknowledge residents' fears without sensationalism, promoting calm and collective resilience. During extreme weather events, successful communities used empathetic messaging to inform residents about safety measures while reassuring them that help was available.
A connected neighbourhood, built on trust and verified information, can act as a buffer against external misinformation campaigns. When trusted community leaders and residents regularly share accurate updates and listen actively, it becomes much harder for false rumours to take root. For example, during a recent misinformation campaign about health risks in a European town, local community leaders scheduled town halls and used local communication channels to counteract false claims, restoring confidence.
Community safety and well-being depend on proactive policies. Investment in local communication platforms, training residents to evaluate information critically, and establishing transparent governance structures are key steps. Cities like Copenhagen have piloted community communication apps that combine verified alerts with forums for residents to discuss concerns safely and constructively, serving as models for other regions.
Reducing social anxiety and informational noise isn’t just about technology; it’s about fostering social bonds that make communities resilient. By designing communication tools rooted in trust, empathy, and participation—like verified alerts, support channels, and active moderation—communities can become safer, more connected, and better prepared to face both everyday challenges and emergencies. Building a strong social fabric ensures that citizens not only stay informed but also feel supported and confident within their neighbourhoods.
Crises such as hybrid threats, armed conflicts, natural disasters, pandemics, and economic turmoil frequently pose significant challenges to the protection of human rights. In these circumstances, states and the international community must ensure that fundamental freedoms and rights remain safeguarded—even when drastic measures become necessary.
When thinking about human rights in times of crisis, many are reminded of the saying, “Those who are drowning must save themselves.” Yet we should remember that the cornerstone here is each individual’s right to be protected by the state. So just how far or close are we to that ideal when it comes to receiving state support in critical moments? And what specific situations and crises are we talking about?
Human Rights Protection During War and Armed Conflicts
Armed conflicts pose one of the greatest threats to human rights and to adherence to humanitarian law, often involving war crimes and mass refugee flows. International humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, mandates the protection of civilians and prisoners of war. However, many governments and armed groups disregard these principles, leading to large-scale rights violations. Sadly, this is still happening in the 21st century, including in Europe. There are reports of deliberate attacks on civilians, a failure to aid the wounded and sick, shortages or complete lack of first-aid supplies, and other abuses targeting the local population.
Natural Disasters and Pandemics
Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes can force people to relocate, overwhelm healthcare systems, and cause food shortages. In such situations, human rights include ensuring people’s access to basic needs, as well as imposing on the state a duty to provide information and take effective action.
Pandemics like COVID-19 have shown how difficult it is to balance the protection of public health with individual freedoms. The restrictions on movement we experienced had a considerable impact on both economic and social rights. Human rights advocates and influential public figures have questioned whether health and the right to life should have justified such sweeping limits on freedom of movement and assembly. In many places—especially authoritarian regimes—these measures opened the door to further human rights restrictions, including unmerited tracking of personal data such as people’s habits and movements.
A Fundamental Need: The Right to Health and Healthcare
In all of the scenarios noted above, access to sustainable healthcare is an essential requirement. The right to health is a key human right protected by various international agreements, including the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, as well as Article 111 of Latvia’s Constitution. It is the government’s responsibility to strengthen support mechanisms and ensure that people have access to medical care and medications—even in emergencies.
Adequate access to medicines and healthcare services is vital for public health. International law obligates governments to guarantee people’s access to necessary medicines, vaccines, and medical treatment, including state-funded care for vulnerable groups. But are we in Latvia really prepared to confront potential challenges?
It seems absurd that more and more people are afraid to call an ambulance for fear of a hefty bill. It is equally troubling that healthcare professionals feel underfunded and underappreciated. Although efforts have been made to explain the situation, public concern remains high. Doctors and nurses continue to complain about low pay and insufficient social protections.
During the pandemic, several countries introduced emergency measures to keep healthcare accessible for everyone. Experts, however, have debated just how well these measures worked. Providing equal treatment and equal access is no simple task, especially given many individuals’ unique circumstances. Keeping the public safe while protecting vulnerable groups—children, seniors, and those with chronic conditions who may lack financial reserves—is a complex endeavour. To do this effectively, it is not enough to rely on past experience; proactive planning for different crisis scenarios is needed.
Such crises often exacerbate existing inequalities and discrimination, limiting people’s access to work, education, and healthcare. Governments need to put support systems in place to protect those who are most at risk, since the treatment of vulnerable groups reveals how fragile society is as a whole. In Latvia, we have long discussed unequal access to goods and services, particularly in rural regions and remote areas. Lately, there has also been growing focus on pharmacy availability in both urban and rural settings, as well as on maintaining adequate reserves of essential medicines for crisis situations. Certified pharmacist Zane Dzirkale, a co-founder of the “Health Care System Resilience” think tank, addressed these issues in a recent publication.
Potential Solutions
When we talk about “the state,” we are also talking about every one of us—each playing our role and fulfilling our responsibilities. Yet recent years have shown the significant power of communities and civic organizations, including community centres and service hubs in towns and cities. We have no shortage of good practices in this realm. For instance, the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation responded rapidly to Ukraine’s need for assistance; there are also inspiring examples of local community collaboration both in Latvia’s regions and in Riga. Support for Ukraine is ongoing, provided by the Marta Centre, the association “Tavi draugi,” and numerous other civic organizations. Crises have shown that the potential of communities is undervalued—even though the need for community engagement continues to grow.
Community strength is also reflected in the concept of community policing, where maintaining public order is not left solely to the police; residents, too, share responsibility. Community policing is built on trust, prevention, and more efficient crime reduction—rather than merely responding after the fact, the police work hand in hand with residents to solve problems at the neighbourhood level. Recall how a local resident in Latgale discovered a drone, alerted the local police unit, and set in motion a response well before the media picked up the story. This community-focused approach has proven successful elsewhere in the European Union and has become an integral part of Latvia’s State Police strategy.
Conclusions
Protecting human rights—especially the right to life and health—in times of crisis is one of the greatest challenges facing the modern world. The international community, national governments, and nongovernmental organizations must coordinate to ensure these rights remain intact, no matter how severe the crisis. Sustainable and effective healthcare policies can greatly enhance people’s living conditions and foster societal stability and resilience—offering protection for individuals’ health and lives. Equally important is the support of communities and NGOs, both in normal times and during periods of crisis.
Ilze Bērziņa
EUNWA Advisory Board, and co-founder of the think tank “Health Care System Resilience”; human rights expert, and lecturer at the Rīga Stradiņš University Faculty of Social Sciences.
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The relationship between young people and law enforcement is a dynamic and evolving issue, shaped by history, societal challenges, and emerging strategies aimed at building trust and cooperation. While tensions have existed for decades, there is growing momentum toward fostering understanding and collaboration between these two groups. This article explores the complexities of their relationship, examining past obstacles, modern influences, and potential solutions for a more constructive future.
Historically, interactions between youth and law enforcement have often been fraught with tension. Many young people perceive law enforcement as disconnected from their lived experiences, a sentiment fuelled by past incidents, media representations, and broader systemic issues. This distrust is particularly pronounced in marginalized communities, where economic and racial disparities have exacerbated feelings of alienation. However, societal progress has led to shifting expectations for both youth and law enforcement. Communities and police departments alike recognize the need for change, seeking ways to bridge the divide through engagement and reform.
In today’s digital world, information spreads rapidly, shaping public perception almost instantly. Social media platforms amplify both positive interactions and moments of misconduct, creating a complex landscape where law enforcement is scrutinized in real time. Viral incidents of excessive force have intensified scepticism, particularly among young people who are highly engaged in digital activism and civic movements. At the same time, these platforms provide opportunities for law enforcement agencies to foster transparency and open communication. Many departments are now embracing digital outreach to engage with the public, share success stories, and clarify policies in an effort to rebuild trust.
Recognizing the urgent need for stronger relationships, many national police forces across Europe and beyond are adopting community policing strategies. These approaches emphasize direct engagement in several ways. For instance, educational programs help teach young people about civic responsibility, the legal system, and conflict resolution, equipping them with the knowledge to better understand the role of law enforcement in their communities. Public forums provide a space for open and honest discussions, allowing youth and police officers to share their perspectives and build mutual understanding. Additionally, mentorship initiatives are proving to be effective in strengthening bonds, as they foster personal connections between officers and young individuals, humanizing both sides of the equation. Lastly, youth advisory boards give young people a platform to voice their concerns and actively participate in discussions on policies that directly impact them. These efforts shift policing from a purely enforcement-driven model to a collaborative approach, humanizing officers and making young people feel heard and valued.
While law enforcement must evolve, young people also play a crucial role in fostering a better relationship. Education and engagement initiatives empower youth to take an active part in their communities, promoting safety, accountability, and positive interactions. Encouraging youth participation in community initiatives, local governance, and law enforcement discussions can help reshape perceptions and policies from the ground up.
Legislators and civic leaders are increasingly prioritizing community-based solutions. Reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and community-oriented practices are gaining traction. Initiatives such as neighbourhood policing programs and youth advisory councils are proving to be effective bridges between law enforcement and young citizens. Moreover, addressing mental health challenges—both among officers and within communities—has become a critical aspect of modern policing. Training officers in de-escalation techniques and integrating mental health professionals into law enforcement practices help reduce conflicts and promote a more supportive environment for youth.
The journey toward strengthening the relationship between youth and law enforcement is ongoing. Building mutual trust requires commitment, policy reform, and continuous dialogue. By embracing comprehensive education, community engagement, and mental health awareness, both parties can work toward a future rooted in respect, cooperation, and shared responsibility. Investing in these initiatives today lays the foundation for a safer, more inclusive society tomorrow—one where young people grow into engaged citizens, and law enforcement officers serve as trusted protectors and community partners. By acknowledging past challenges and working toward meaningful change, we can create an environment where youth and police succeed together.
EUNWA Board
100 days of war between Russia and Ukraine, 4100 civilians dead including 260 children. 5000 injured. 6.8 million Ukrainian refugees.
810 days of Covid19 and its variants, 528,275,339 confirmed cases worldwide of which 6,293,4214 died.
We have been taught that the time of a crisis does not exist in terms of uniformity and timeline, because in a crisis, time becomes the beating of useful actions to contain the damage and make people and territories safe again. Actions are taken with immediacy, between the occurrence of the early signals and the manifestation of the critical episode. Actions then follow one another, in order of priority, in an authentic flow of acts and communications that can no longer and must not be stopped, just like those mountain fountains in which water gushes out spontaneously without being artificially extracted.
The time of the crisis is not scheduled on the timeline because, if it was possible, actions would be performed in concert, all in unison: I manage the consequences, I support the people and areas affected, I search for the causes and contain any reputational damage. All together. Since simultaneity cannot be managed, actions are performed according to strict priority logic. The episode that generates the crisis or catastrophe, even when it causes long-term damage, is normally short and intense: an accident, a flood, an earthquake, a fire, a bankruptcy, a bereavement...
But these 100 days of war, added to the 700 of the pandemic, clearly suggest that one of the 'new elements' to be understood and managed is time. That time that has changed us and will never make us the same again.
The ancient Greeks already taught us that the perception of time changes and that objective and subjective time do not coincide. In extremely dangerous situations, time slows down and moments become eternal. This distortion is created by our memory because more critical events generate more memories and therefore the mind perceives a longer time. To the effects on memory and emotions, fatigue must be added. A fatigue which comes suddenly and that brings with it a progressive and understandable indifference. The number of articles and reports devoted to the war has decreased eightfold since the beginning of the conflict, and interactions on social media have dropped from 109 million to 4.8 million. Levels of attention and concentration on risks and consequences have declined, and clocks continue to record the simple passage of time trying to shift and neutralise, on the symbolic horizontal line, the sinusoidal curve with its alternating sharp peaks.
Time has become part of the crisis too: an off-stage voice, but an undisputed protagonist that, once again, forces us to face fatigue, since the risk of remaining defenceless and weakened in the desperate attempt to imagine a crisis coming to an end is too close and too dangerous. That is why, in the books we are going to write about the lessons we have learned, under the heading 'prompt and immediate reaction' we will also add 'danger of adapting to the level of risk', a new parameter that will have to be taken into great consideration, because indifference and fatigue are threats that leave open the risk that someone could always take advantage of the time factor.
Paola Guerra - Founder and Director of the International School of Ethics & Security Milan - L'Aquila
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21 February 2020 - If we had been asked at the end of 2019 to assess the likelihood of a global pandemic, we would have said it was completely impossible.
24 February 2022 - We would have thought the same if we had been asked at the end of 2021 to evaluate the probability of a war breaking out in the middle of Europe.
Remote hypotheses, which we cannot imagine, cannot consider as possible...
It is true that imagining or thinking about emergencies and world crises instils anxiety, fear, and terror. It activates our operational centre in the amygdala, which 99% of the time causes automatic reactions of the autonomic nervous system, causing a great deal of fatigue, so it is better to rationalise, deny, and close our eyes to danger signals.
In this historical moment, it is our duty and responsibility to promote a culture of preparedness. Risks are certainly uncertain events, but emergencies and crises do occur. And this requires careful preparation before, during and after the crisis.
It is necessary to look at the unexpected and at those unpredictable events that can occur and break any equilibrium with focus, competence and skill.
So, what to do?
- Constantly monitor risks and possible emergencies or crises from authoritative and reliable sources
- Build possible scenarios (best case and worst case)
- Prepare the organisation and the “chain of command and control”
- Plan operational processes and actions
- Constantly monitor KPIs and “early signals”
- Activate decision-making processes
- Analyse effects and review actions
- Sit down together to evaluate the "lessons learned"
These are the foundations for creating high-reliability organisations, capable of creating a state of mindfulness, that is, full collective awareness that produces the widespread ability to analyse risks, identify hazards and react promptly when they occur.
A special emphasis, arising from the head and the heart, must be placed on People who experience stressor events in their everyday lives and who, for the last two years, have been living in a global pandemic and now have also to face war scenarios. There are many people who feel destabilised, confused, frightened. We have come face to face with war already being in a situation of psychological exhaustion, and this makes it difficult to cope with this other emergency. People must therefore be listened to and supported in dealing with destabilising thoughts, feelings, and emotions. They must be helped to cultivate well-being, which is the ability to balance the negative and positive aspects of life.
The challenge is therefore to make it a priority for every family, organisation, and company to be aware of the importance of being ready and reliable organisations, that is, aware and prepared to face life in its moments of stability and instability. Only in this way there may be evolution and growth!
Paola Guerra - Founder and Director of the International School of Ethics & Security Milan - L'Aquila
Visit the web site of International School of Ethics & Security Milan - L'Aquila
As reported by Prof. Battistelli in 20131 , "from the 80s of the twentieth century a significant change in the concept of safety has taken place. The traditional concept of public safety has turned into the more specific notion of urban security. However, the question arises as to whether the new definition can be considered a replacement for the previous one: it certainly constitutes a radical extension. In itself, in fact, urban security includes the 'necessary' characteristics of public safety but, at the same time, it includes more specific characteristics".
The paradigm of urban security promises to pursue the development of the opportunities and the rights of most of the people that are part of it (in some cases even non-native). Urban security includes not only the protection of a society from threats, but also the satisfaction of its most advanced needs, extending the realisation of this objective to both private and public agencies (Battistelli 2013). Private agencies, consequently, seek to settle themselves into a new area of society with the aim of privately performing protection and security functions while maintaining a very strong link with public authorities (e.g., law enforcement, ministries).
In this regard, Italy has always maintained a prudential attitude towards the sharing of any data on crime, making it the exclusive prerogative of the Public Security Authorities. Centro Elaborazione Dati Interforze (CED)2 is part of this framework. Instituted by Article 8 of Law /1/4/1981, no. 121 for the purpose of coordinating the collection, classification, analysis, and evaluation of information on the protection of law and order, public security and the prevention and repression of crime (Art. 1, para 1, Legislative Decree 18/5/2018, no. 51), it was subsequently incorporated in 2001 within the new Sistema Di Indagine (SDI)3 platform. The latter is, to all intents and purposes, the largest public database (on crime, offences, and urban decay) in Italy to date.
The SDI platform is constantly enriched with a great deal of data relating to unlawful episodes, potential offenders, subjects, persons, property and much more. In other words, 'quantitative' information is integrated (e.g. geographical distribution of criminal events, episodes of urban decay and offences) with 'qualitative' information4.
Within this enormous database (SDI) also the geo-localized5 data on episodes of crime, generated by the tabularization of the complaints received by the competent authorities, are naturally conveyed. This geo-referenced collection has a specific objective: to put the Police Forces in the condition of being able to carry out urban risk analyses finalized to the understanding of the principal critical areas on which to activate mitigating/contrasting/preventive actions. Such geo-localized data, if rendered devoid of any sensitive information, could have an undoubted value also for Associations, Third Sector Organisations, Foundations, private citizens, and companies, as part of the social fabric.
This is in line with the United Nations (2018)6 report on the urbanization processes that the world, especially the western world, will face by 2050. In fact, it is expected that 68% of the world's population will live in urban-metropolitan contexts, increasing the vertical and horizontal growth of our cities. Such densification will be accompanied by an unequally rapid increase in the number of the Police Forces involved in the control of the above-mentioned urban spaces. This gap will inevitably imply an increasing assumption of responsibility by all the stakeholders (public and private) of our society, who will become an integral part of the process in the field of 'participatory urban security'. In other words, each of us will be called upon to contribute so that cities can maintain adequate levels of safety, inclusion, and balance.
It is within this framework that one of the greatest challenges of the future will be played out, and in order not to lose it, it will be essential to focus on a radical change in the area of 'open data' on crime and urban decay. In fact, if this change doesn’t happen, how could public/private stakeholders identify streets or urban micro-areas where there may be 'pockets' of crime on which it is essential to intervene with operations of contrast, mitigation, and risk prevention? It would not be possible, or at least it would be extremely complex.
The idea of a synergy between the police, citizens, businesses, and any other stakeholder (part of the social structure) can concretely lead to tangible and measurable benefits. In these countries, in fact, the concept of 'open data' in the field of security (and not only) was legitimised years ago, making our country, unfortunately, still rather behind the standards across the border. For example, although updated in 2017, the Open Data Barometer7 relegated Italy to a less than optimal position in terms of open data in Europe (see Figure 1).
Fig. 1 - Data accessibility in Italy by category (year 2017) - comparison with UK
Comparing Italy to the UK for example, two countries that could be defined - on some level - at the extremes of the same spectrum, it emerges that in the field of crime data-transparency Italy presents an overall score (on a scale ranging from 0 to 100) of 40.00 against the UK's 90.00, here are some more specific numbers (see fig. 2):
- Open data on crime and decay: UK (90.00) VS Italy (40.00)
- Mapped data, WEB GIS: UK (100.00) VS Italy (50.00)
Fig. 2 - Comparison of open data between the UK and Italy (year 2017) - topic 'Crime Statistics'
In addition, there is a government platform called 'Open Data - Police UK8', through which any citizen/entity in the world can freely download all geo-localised crime data up to date (see figure 3).
Fig. 3 - Government platform 'Open Data - Police UK'
Continuing the comparison on an European level, Italy, compared to Germany, presents an overall score of 40.00 vs. 80.00, below some more specific numbers (see fig. 4):
- Open data on crime and degradation: Germany (80.00) VS Italy (40.00)
- Mapped data, WEB GIS: Germany (100.00) VS Italy (50.00)
Fig. 4 - Open data comparison between Germany and Italy (year 2017)
Again, Italy, compared to France, has an overall score of 40.00 versus 95.00, here are some more specific numbers (see fig. 5):
- Open data on Offences and Degradation: France (95.00) VS Italy (40.00)
- Mapped data, WEB GIS: France (70.00) VS Italy (50.00)
Fig. 5 - Open data comparison between France and Italy (year 2017)
In light of the above, a question arises: what kind of consequences can this difference generate directly, or indirectly?
The lack of accessible geo-localised data on urban crime means that many intervention policies (both private and public) are not yet data-driven on this issue but rely only and exclusively on qualitative variables (equally important but insufficient if not integrated with numerical-quantitative ones).
On the other hand, how could a Public Administration, a Foundation, an Association or even a group of aware and pro-active citizens plan an urban requalification intervention if the (geo-localised) data on episodes of crime and degradation are not accessible? Everything becomes extremely more complex and potentially ineffective, hence the need to overturn the paradigm of participatory urban security.
This change does not presuppose, obviously, an access to the entire data bank of the SDI, insofar as it is inapplicable, dangerous and, above all, ethically unjust (given the high presence of sensitive data and material). It is rather intended to mean the possibility for private citizens, companies, public administrations and all the organisations of the Third sector, to access only the geo-localized data (deprived of any sensitive information) on criminality and urban decay. Below is an example of 'information fields' that - although not affecting sensitive/personal data - could make a given crime/degradation event usable in urban risk analysis:
- Event category (e.g., robbery, theft, violent crime, counterfeiting, drug dealing, etc.)
- Sub-category of event (e.g., Commercial Robbery, Residential Theft, etc.)
- Date of event (e.g., 01/01/2021)
- Time of the event (e.g., between 8:00 and 12:00)
- Address (e.g., Via Rossi 1, 00000, Rome)
- Latitude and Longitude (fundamental for the geo-localization of the event)
Of course, along with a hypothetical greater sharing of data on crime and urban decay by the Public Safety Authorities, it is necessary to encourage an increasingly substantial activism on the part of citizens. The latter, in fact, are called upon to contribute with information and data which, unfortunately, are often not available to Law Enforcement Agencies.
In this regard, back in 20049, Dr Maurizio Fiasco - through an interesting article published on the State Police website - quoted "The average number of reported cases is 34% and is partly influenced by the fact that attempted crimes don’t get reported (only one in four is followed by a report to the authorities). While it may seem obvious that citizens report almost all car thefts (94%), the high percentage of robberies that remain unreported is cause for reflection: 50.4% of those committed and 68.9% of those attempted. Why such a low tendency? The hypotheses are based on the balance between the costs and benefits of contacting the police and the seriousness of the consequences of the crime. It is also influenced by whether contact between the perpetrator and the victim has taken place or not. A burglary committed while the victim is absent from home has different emotional repercussions from a robbery during which the offended party has run into the aggressor. In other words, in case of events affecting one individual, such as assaults and robberies, the most frequent motivation for reporting is to inform the police (43.2% if they met the offender and 35% if they didn’t) or to prevent the perpetrator from repeating the crime (50.3% if they met the offender and 17.3% if they didn’t). On the other hand, these motivations were scarcely reported for pickpocketing and theft of personal belongings.
This reflection, although outdated, is still deeply relevant considering what was pointed out in the ISTAT (Italian National Statistical Institute)10 year-end report 2020, that "The data concerning the police force survey do not represent a complete picture of crime". This aspect is, in some ways, extremely invalidating as it could prevent the Public Safety Authorities from implementing effective crime fighting and containment measures. However, even though the number of reports is still relatively low today (especially for certain types of crime), it must be said that citizens have been able to build a dense network of platforms, especially digital ones, capable of collecting very significant amounts of data on crime/degradation. In other words, it could be said that blogs/forums/social networks/security websites have become the digital noticeboard where citizens tend to crystallise the results of their HUMINT11 activities.
Therefore, it is evident that citizens are very willing to 'share information for the protection of common/public spaces', but it is also necessary to put them in a position where they can convey the same data to the competent authorities. Training, information, and dissemination activities can be an excellent tool to make citizens increasingly aware of the need to systematise the data/reports they collect in order to share them with the police, as well as to increasingly digitalise the reporting procedures. In this sense, the Mine Crime project that we coordinated aims to harmonise the collection of data reported through multiple digital platforms, systematising them in a single database and transforming them into risk indices to support mitigation activities by companies, law enforcement agencies, public stakeholders, and citizens.
In conclusion, it is only through the overall sharing of data, information, and useful materials on urban security that the public, by integrating with the private sector (an essential component of modern society), will be able to face the great challenges that the 'security of the near future' will inexorably pose to us. We have excellent examples of countries that could serve as models of 'good practices'. There is nothing left to do but start now.
Giacomo Salvanelli - Mine Crime CEO
[1] https://doi.org/10.4000/qds.425
[2] https://www.poliziadistato.it/articolo/banca-dati-per-le-forze-di-polizia-1
[3] https://www.carabinieri.it/media---comunicazione/rassegna-dell-arma/la-rassegna/anno-2012/n-1---gennaio-marzo/studi
[4] Criminal proceedings, secret or classified - Art. 144 and 329 - and, therefore, accessible only to Officials of the Judicial Police assigned to the "Services" of the Judicial Police provided for by Art. 56, Code of Criminal Procedure, to the D.I.A., to the Central Direction for the anti-drug services and to the central Offices of the State Police or of the Carabinieri deputized to fight terrorism.
[5] Geolocation: identification of the geographic position of people, events, vehicles or objects that are stationary or moving
[6] https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/2018-revision-of-world-urbanization-prospects.html
[7] https://opendatabarometer.org/?_year=2017&indicator=ODB
[9] https://poliziamoderna.poliziadistato.it/articolo/56c49118a17f6125389515
[10] https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/244848
[11] http://www.osservatorioanalitico.com/?p=8888
A new study by Motorola Solutions reveals trends related to Public Safety and Innovative Technology. The study in question, carried out by Dr. Chris Brauer of Goldsmiths, University of London, is called "Consensus for Change”: it involved 12,000 citizens, 50 public safety agencies, commercial organizations and experts from 10 countries. Areas of interest include Germany, Italy, Australia, UK, USA, Scandinavia, Spain, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.
The International Reflection Group in cooperation with the Czech Institute of Criminology and Social Prevention organized a conference in Prague, April 11th to 13th 2018, at the Czech Criminological Institute, attended mainly by representatives from Sweden, the Czech Republic and Austria. The President of the European Neighborhood Watch Organization (EUNWA), Karl Brunnbauer, invited EUNWA members to participate.
