The safety of public spaces has become one of the key challenges for European societies. Growing urbanisation, changing threat landscapes, and the need to maintain open and inclusive environments require new approaches and practical solutions.

In response to these challenges, the SAFE-CITIES project was launched – a European initiative designed to support the protection of public areas by developing a dynamic framework for security and vulnerability assessment.

Beyond its technological dimension, SAFE-CITIES places great emphasis on cooperation with other relevant projects working in the same field. By joining forces, these initiatives can amplify their impact, involve multidisciplinary teams in shared activities, exchange best practices, and more effectively disseminate results.

Projects Enhancing Impact

As a practical example of this mindset, SAFE-CITIES collaborates with other complementary EU-funded projects: SPIRIT and INTERCEPT. Both reflect shared values of prevention, innovation and cross-sectoral cooperation, contributing to a broader ecosystem of urban safety and resilience.

• SPIRIT (Synergies to Protect Places of Worship and Religious Gatherings) focuses on improving the protection of religious sites through cooperation between law enforcement, religious communities and security practitioners. The project has delivered standardised vulnerability assessments, simulated attack scenarios to enhance preparedness, and an intuitive application offering proactive security guidance. SPIRIT also promotes awareness and long-term integration of safety measures into urban planning for religious sites.
• INTERCEPT addresses the growing concern around high-risk vehicle threats in urban areas. In collaboration with European law enforcement stakeholders, the project identified key technology gaps and operational needs, laying the foundation for a future Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) to develop remote vehicle-stopping solutions. This approach helps equip security forces with safer and more efficient tools to protect the public.

As all three projects approach their final stages, the outcomes are clear: new frameworks, validated tools, and practical insights that strengthen the protection of public spaces while upholding democratic values and openness. SAFE-CITIES, SPIRIT and INTERCEPT together reflect a shared commitment to building safer, smarter and more resilient European cities.