The PACTESUR 2 project gathers 15 local and regional authorities from across Europe, each with their specific urban security challenges.
Paris, France, November 2023 – Representatives from 15 European local authorities gathered in Paris on 14 November to launch the EU-funded PACTESUR 2 project on the security of public spaces, in which Efus is a partner.
Cooperation among local police forces
Led by the city of Nice (France), this two-year project seeks to improve the security of public spaces by strengthening cooperation among European local police forces, sharing promising local practices, increasing cooperation with the private sector, and fostering citizen participation. It follows up on the PACTESUR project (2019-2022), also led by the city of Nice – in collaboration with the cities of Liège, Madrid and Turin –, which sought to empower local authorities and stakeholders to improve the security of urban public spaces.
As a partner, Efus is in charge of leading a group of 11 other associated cities that have specific issues and knowledge related to the protection of public spaces. Efus is also tasked with communicating on the project’s activities and disseminating them within its network.
Geographical diversity
One of the characteristics of PACTESUR 2 is that it gathers a wide range of cities from across Europe*, each with their own, specific urban security challenges. These range from ensuring a safe nightlife to crisis management, safety and tourism, polarisation among local communities, and managing the influx of refugees, among others.
A collaborative approach
Another key characteristic of the PACTESUR 2 project is that it is based on collaborative work, information sharing and the use of EU resources and guidelines.
“The PACTESUR 2 project is a great opportunity for local police officers to be provided with new approaches. The first PACTESUR project enabled us to upskill our local police force. This new project will enable us to go further and, through the sharing of expertise, to have a local police capable of acting faster and more efficiently.”
Andrejs Aronovs, Deputy Chief of Riga Municipal Police
A new, European network of local police forces
As highlighted by Andrejs Aronovs, Deputy Chief of the Riga Municipal Police, exchanges among local police forces were one of the most original and valued aspects of the first PACTESUR.
As highlighted by Andrejs Aronovs, Deputy Chief of the Riga (Latvia) Municipal Police, exchanges among local police forces were one of the most original and valued aspects of the first PACTESUR project.
The 15 cities participating in PACTESUR 2 and their local police force will have the opportunity to share their experiences, benefit from training, and exchange promising practices not only among themselves, but also with peers that are members of Efus’ network of 250 European cities and regions. The project partners hope this will contribute to tackling issues such as recruitment processes, retention and gender inclusivity in municipal police forces.
*Bologna (Italy); Bratislava (Slovakia); Brussels (Belgium) (represented by safe.brussels, the public entity responsible for crime prevention in the Brussels Capital Region); Budapest’s 7th district (Hungary); Gdansk (Poland); Kordelio-Evosmos (Greece); Liège (Belgium); Lisbon (Portugal); Madrid (Spain); Nice (France); Riga (Latvia); Tallinn (Estonia); Turin (Italy); Vilnius (Lithuania), and Xàbia (Spain).
More information on PACTESUR 2
Read the publication from the first PACTESUR project: Safe and inclusive public spaces: European cities share their experience
