Activities, projects and ongoing work on drug-related violence in Europe
Drug-related violence manifests itself in various and increasingly complex forms, often fuelled by organised crime that operates in and exploits fragile social environments, affecting communities at multiple levels and perpetuating cycles of harm.
This page provides information on the EUDA's ongoing work and projects in the area of drug-related violence,
#BreakTheCycle #BuildTheFuture
Events
European Conference on Drug-Related Violence
The first European Conference on Drug-Related Violence, organised by the EUDA was held in Brussels between 26-27 November in Brussels. Over two days, leading experts and policymakers engaged in dynamic discussions, addressing the multifaceted challenges of this phenomenon. The issues explored ranged from public safety and health implications, to responses and innovative strategies and interventions. The focus of the event was how to break the cycle of drug-related violence and build a better future.
The conference's closing session featured compelling remarks from European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, and Belgian Minister of the Interior, Annelies Verlinden, underscoring the urgent need for collective action and cross-sector collaboration.
European Conference on Drug-Related Violence
Events on drug-related violence
You can find below all events with a link to drug-related violence.
Actions: ongoing initiatives, actitivities and projects,
Project: Nature and scope of drug-related violence in the EU (CT.24.SAS.0056.1.0)
Full project title:
Monitoring and analysis of the nature and scope of drug-related violence and homicide in the European Union
Project duration: 24 months: Sept 2024-Sept 2026;
Contract: CT.24.SAS.0056.1.0; (negotiated tender sent to 5 suppliers)
Value of contract: 140 000€
Awarded to: Prof dr Marieke Liem, Leiden University and Prof Kim Moeller, Malmo University)
Partners
Leiden University
Malmö University
Short description
The purpose of this contract is to develop a programme of work to advance the monitoring and analysis of drug-related violence and homicide in the EU to better understand its nature and scope. This contract is an opportunity to enable the EUDA to explore using pre-existing data sources and datasets through either collection or integration. In cases where data is inaccessible, the contract also allows for the initiation of projects to generate or access new data.
The contract aims to improve the monitoring and analysis of drug-related violence through five key objectives:
- identifying essential indicators,
- supporting the development of a long-term work plan for addressing drug-related violence,
- updating data collection templates and definitions to ensure data comparability,
- conceptualising an EU Drug-Related Violence Monitor for use by various stakeholders and
- improving data collection capabilities through training and capacity building in EU Member States.
Project: Safe futures: preventing youth recruitment and participation in European drug markets (CT.24.SAS.0109.1.0)
Full project title:
Safe futures: Identifying promising approaches, opportunities and barriers for interventions designed to prevent youth recruitment and participation in European drug markets
Project duration: 24 months: December 2024-December 2026;
Contract: CT.24.SAS.0109.1.0; (negotiated tender sent to 5 suppliers)
Value of contract: 140 000€
Awarded to: University of Limerick
Partners
University of Limerick
Short description
Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in public and policy concern around the recruitment and involvement of young people in illicit drugs markets and the costs this incurs both to the individuals involved and the wider community. Criminal networks often exploit the most vulnerable segments of the population to maintain and grow their operations. These activities have a negative impact on both security and public health.
This has created a policy interest in what approaches might be effective in:
- identifying young people who are vulnerable to exploitation within the drug market
- reducing the risks that they may become recruited by criminal networks and
- encouraging adoption of non-criminal pathways for those who have initiated criminal careers.
The purpose of this contract is to enhance drug-related crime prevention efforts in Europe by: evaluating existing models and strategies for the prevention of youth involvement in drug markets and drug-related crime; supporting linked networking building activities; and identifying possible facilitators and barriers to the implementation of programmes in this area. It is envisaged that the outputs from this project will contribute to a better understanding of the future research, policy and developmental needs and inform future investments in this area at both a European and national level.
Crime prevention training
As part of the EUDA's European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC). More information will be made available shortly.
Useful resources
For a detailed and continuously updated listing of resources, news and events on the subject of drug-related violence, we recommend consulting the topic hub pages below.
EUDA collaborators on drug-related violence
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- Philippe Close: city of Brussels
- Marieke Liem: Institute of Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University
- Frédérique Camilleri: Prefect of Essonn
- Alba Alfageme: Cabinet of Security and Transversal Policies, Government of Catalonia
- Charlotte Colman: Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy, University of Ghent
- Charles Lloyd: Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre
- Mónica Diniz: Lisbon Municipal Police, Department of Prevention, Security and International Relation
- Elizabeth Johnston: European Forum for Urban Security
- Fabio Ciciliano: Civil Protection Department
- Didier Laguerre: Mayor of Fort de France
- Catherine Comiskey: Trinity College Dublin