“EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation”: European Commission Launches a €60 Million Initiative for the next 4 years

With a budget of €60 million over the next four years, the initiative is led by NTU International A/S (Denmark) with IPS Innovative Prison Systems (Portugal) among its key partners, which include the Polish Platform for Homeland Security, the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies (FUNDEA, Spain), the Center for Security Studies (KEMEA – Hellenic Ministry of Citizen Protection), the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, the European Research and Project Office (EURICE, Greece), Deep Blue, the European Centre of Studies and Initiatives (CESIE, Italy), and the Romanian National Intelligence Academy “Mihai Viteazul”.

The EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation, guided by the European Commission (DG Home), will focus on supporting EU Member States and stakeholders in the development and implementation of effective strategies to combat radicalisation. Its core mission is to consolidate and disseminate knowledge and expertise as well as to support Member States in developing strategies and practices in this field. This initiative builds upon the foundational work of the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN), initiated by the Commission in 2011.

Pedro das Neves, CEO of IPS_Innovative Prison Systems, expressed enthusiasm about IPS inclusion in the consortium: “Being part of such significant project awarded by the European Commission is an important milestone, a testament to the dedication and sustained effort of our team and of our partners. For over a decade, we’ve been committed to research and advisory on radicalisation prevention, developing knowledge and capabilities within correctional systems, law enforcement, and communities across the EU and Western Balkans.”

For a decade now, IPS has led and worked along with partners in various international projects which have contributed to the creation of holistic strategies – involving the justice systems, the third sector and the community – to address radicalisation and violent extremism in several regions of the world, including the EU, the Balkans, and the Middle East.