AWARE
Cross-sectoral awareness building on mental health needs in the criminal justice system and on release
Project
KOBAN
Identifying future capabilities for Community Policing
Portfolios
Timeframe
09/2024 – 09/2027 (37 months)
Get in touch
Enhancing community policing through innovative, research-based models for modern law enforcement
Inspired by the Japanese “Koban” (交番, small neighbourhood; police stations), the project addresses the growing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies (LEAs) across Europe, where demographic, technological, and economic shifts are transforming diverse communities—both online and offline.
These changes require LEAs to adopt new strategies to engage communities and build trust around safety and security concerns. In response, the KOBAN project will develop an innovative, research-based community policing (CP) model that embraces an evidence-based approach.
KOBAN will focus on capacity building by embedding key knowledge, skills, and capabilities, leading to customised training for police, municipalities, and citizens. As such, KOBAN aims to drive cultural and organisational change to overcome current barriers to effective community policing, preparing LEAs for the future, both in the real world and online.
Where
- Belgium
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Poland
- Portugal
- Spain
- The Netherlands
- United Kindgom
Funding
- EU Horizon Europe research and Innovation programme
Objectives
Strengthen Community Resilience towards crime: Address current and future challenges in diverse communities by identifying the capabilities needed for effective community policing (CP), while considering ethical, legal, cultural, and social complexities.
Promote Transferable Solutions: Ensure that innovative solutions are widely adopted by local police actors for effective implementation of community policing strategies.
Enhance Digital Interactions: Increase trust and cooperation between civilians and police through AI-driven, tailor-made digital communication and analysis tools, enabling more effective, future-proof community policing.
Provide Modular CP Training: Equip police and non-police actors with modern, adaptable training programs designed to navigate diverse communities, balancing majority needs with the expectations of minorities and vulnerable groups.
Expected outcomes
A CP Capability Model describing current and future proactive, reactive and co-active capabilities.
The KOBAN App Factory for LEAs and citizens to create, design, and deploy apps for CP.
AI-driven early detection and risk projection of security threats feeding into the KOBAN App Factory to support preventive CP
A multifaced intelligent dashboard for CP offering LEAs the capability to tailor the App Factory according to local requirements.
A KOBAN AI Assistant to efficiently access a vast array of local community knowledge.
Validated CP solutions tested in 6 pilots throughout Europe providing insights into successful approaches to localised CP efforts.
The KOBAN Knowledge Repository, including the Knowledge Hub and Portfolio of Solutions.
Coordinator & Partners
Featured news
Related projects
AWARE EAW
European Arrest Warrant
PRE-RIGHTS
Assessing the impact and performance of preventive measures on EU Directives and Framework Decisions
R2PRIS
Radicalisation Prevention in Prisons
PRACTICIES
Partnership against Radicalisation in Cities
INTEGRA
Integrated Community, Probation and Prison Services Radicalisation Prevention Approach
WAYOUT
Integrated Exit Programme for Prisons and Probation
R4JUST
Radicalisation Prevention Competences’ Development Programme for Justice Professionals
HOPE
Holistic Radicalisation Prevention Initiative (Balkan countries)