January 2025 – Led by Efus, the Fighting Crime and Terrorism (FCT) pilot of the TRANSCEND project held a workshop in Mechelen (Belgium), engaging young people in shaping security strategies by using its innovative toolbox.
Objectives of the FCT pilot
The primary objective of the FCT pilot is to test the TRANSCEND project’s toolbox in a real-world setting, focusing on citizen involvement in decision-making processes related to urban security technologies. Specifically, the pilot aims to address issues of radicalisation and crime among vulnerable and/or marginalised youth in Mechelen. By doing so, it seeks to foster a more resilient and proactive approach to public safety. This involves creating a dialogue between local authorities, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the community to develop and implement effective and accepted security measures.
Engaging young people
The success of the pilot relies on the active participation of all stakeholders, especially young people, who are often the most affected by issues of crime and radicalisation. The pilot seeks to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members by engaging them in meaningful dialogue and collaborative design processes.
Local youth work organisations have played a crucial role in engaging young people in the pilot’s activities. Indeed, they often have close relationships with vulnerable and/or marginalised young people based on the trust established over a long period.
The expertise of youth workers in Mechelen contributed to creating a safe space for open dialogue during the workshop, where they could share their personal experience with crime and radicalisation as well as their needs and concerns.
This workshop was not an isolated activity but part of a continuous engagement that extends beyond the TRANSCEND project. The perspectives and results gathered from young residents are intended to inform Mechelen’s policymakers. These methods not only helped gather valuable insights but also served to empower young people by giving them a stake in their community’s safety and security.
During this workshop, youth workers also gained valuable insights from youngsters about their perceptions of security technologies. One of the outcomes of the discussion resulted in the idea of organising a meeting between young residents and the mayor to share their experiences during the workshop and discuss the outcomes. The meeting would be coordinated by the city of Mechelen and youth workers and ensure that young people’s concerns are taken into account in the future.
The project created the opportunity by having these discussions with young people around security technologies and issues such as online hate speech and its potential to lead to radicalisation. The methods of the TRANSCEND toolbox helped create this scenario and enhance discussions and reflections regarding these issues.
These methods not only helped to gather valuable insights but also served to empower young locals by giving them a stake in their community’s safety and security.
“In the pilot implementation of the FCT, the involvement of citizens, especially youngsters, played a vital role in addressing pressing issues such as online criminal recruitment. Through open dialogue between young people and the mayor, important policy topics were identified that directly reflect the concerns and realities faced by the community. This conversation helped to shape more targeted and effective approaches to combat online threats. The participation in the pilot and the involvement of the mayor sped up the process to start a multi-agency approach of focusing on youngsters, as they are potential targets for recruiting criminals. Additionally, the project empowered youth workers by providing them with the tools and knowledge to better engage with and support young people. Ultimately, this collaborative effort demonstrated the importance of involving young people in discussions about their future and the policies that will affect them.” – Illias Marraha, Head of Social Prevention, city of Mechelen
Key learnings
The FCT pilot represents a significant step towards more inclusive and democratic approaches to urban security. By involving the community, particularly vulnerable young people, the pilot aimed to develop more effective and accepted security measures. Key learnings from the pilot include:
- Concerns of young people about security technologies: participants expressed concerns about privacy, the potential for misuse of surveillance technologies, and the need for transparent implementation processes. Their feedback emphasised the importance of designing technologies that respect individual privacy while enhancing security.
- Best practices for engaging young people: successful engagement strategies included creating safe and inclusive dialogue spaces, using relatable and accessible language, and ensuring that activities were co-designed with input from young people. Building trust through continuous involvement and follow-up on their suggestions was also crucial.
Additional activities and broader community involvement in the FCT Pilot
In addition to engaging young people, the FCT pilot includes several other activities aimed at better understanding how to engage citizens the research on technology related to fighting crime and terrorism. A second workshop focusing on youth workers will be implemented in the autumn of 2025, examining perspectives from the viewpoint of youth workers and making the workshop more inclusive and open to an external public.
Efus also aims to include other cities and regions in the FCT pilot, allowing them to provide feedback and share best practices based on their unique experience. These contributions will enrich the pilot, ensuring that the developed strategies are adaptable and beneficial across different urban contexts.
The success relies on the active participation of all stakeholders, especially young people as they are often the most affected by issues of crime and radicalisation. The pilot fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members by engaging them in meaningful dialogue and collaborative design processes.
