Brussels – 10 September 2025
The European Forum for Urban Security (Efus) participated in the Final Summit of the TRANSCEND project, held in Brussels. Launched in 2022, the project has addressed a crucial question: how can citizens be meaningfully involved in shaping the use of security technologies?
Engaging young people in security research
During the event, Efus led a panel discussion on Engaging Young People in Security Research. The debate emphasised that youth are not only stakeholders but also valuable contributors to safer communities. One of the pilot projects held in Mechelen (Netherlands) showed the impact of asking young people directly how they would make their neighborhoods safer. This participatory approach encouraged them to open up, share their perspectives, and feel empowered.
Importantly, their involvement must not remain symbolic or limited to isolated workshops. Instead, young people’s voices should be structurally integrated into decision-making processes. As illustrated by a dialogue between youth participants and the Mayor of Mechelen, the exchange demonstrated how their input was genuinely considered and incorporated into local strategies.
The responsibility of municipalities
These discussions reinforced the idea that municipalities, social workers, and public services carry a key responsibility in ensuring citizen participation. By creating spaces where dialogue is continuous and inclusive, local authorities can build stronger trust, develop more effective security measures, and foster a sense of collective ownership.
Moving forward
The TRANSCEND project has shown that citizen participation in security technologies is not optional but essential. Municipalities that actively engage their communities (particularly young people) can ensure that new technologies are implemented in a way that respects social needs, democratic values, and public trust.
