Participatory approaches to protecting place of worship, schools and community centres
PARTESS-COM develops and promotes preventive protection measures for religious communities, places of worship, and associated institutions across the EU. It responds to increasing threats posed by extremism, hate crimes, and disinformation targeting faith-based groups. Building on the lessons of predecessor projects (PARTES, SHRINEs, PROSPERES), it brings together stakeholders from security, civil society, academia, and religious organisations to co-develop practical, sustainable solutions.
Donor
Objectives
-
Identify, systematise, and evaluate effective security concepts, tools, programs and solutions for the protection of places of worship, religious educational institutions, and associated communities.
-
Inform stakeholders and the broader public about threat realities concerning religious communities by providing regular, evidence-based analyses to counter disinformation and skewed perceptions.
-
Provide easy access to effective and context-sensitive knowledge and tools, categorised by purpose, feasibility, and applicability, through a digital platform and mobile app.
-
Train stakeholders (e.g. religious leaders, LEAs, civil society actors) in preventive security concepts, threat response, vulnerability assessments, and crisis communication, using hybrid training formats.
-
Facilitate exchange and networking between religious communities and relevant stakeholders at national and EU level, including through a dedicated digital forum and structured in-person training events.
-
Raise public awareness and promote a whole-of-society approach by encouraging citizens to report security-relevant incidents and take part in prevention through the app and targeted outreach campaigns.
Impact
PARTESS-COM will increase awareness of security threats and prevention methods, improve the capacity of authorities and communities to act, and institutionalise cooperative approaches to protecting places of worship and religious gatherings. It will contribute to national and EU efforts to address extremism, reduce vulnerability, and strengthen cohesion and resilience.
Lead Partner
Status
Ongoing