The work of the Partnership is even more crucial today, as local authorities face the challenges of both people’s security and the health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The development of the UA Actions has been reported by the partners, with details on new studies, reports, and guidelines developed, and the results of recently conducted surveys.

Three UIA-funded initiatives (ToNite, BSFS, and SURE) were presented in the meeting, as well as the collaboration with the UrbSecurity network. DG REGIO and DG HOME shared relevant updates regarding the design of the European Urban Initiative, the EU fora on the protection of public spaces, and EU law enforcement networks.

For the Partnership, it is essential to strengthening its collaboration with local, national, and European actors and initiatives, which can mutually support and benefit from the work done by its members. Several of the tools developed (such as a manual to assess interventions to boost social cohesion in cities, or a framework to measure security and safety in urban contexts) could be beneficial for several cities of different sizes across Europe.

The UA Actions are:

·        Action 1 - Developing a Framework for a Self-Assessment tool dedicated to Urban Authorities

·        Action 2 - Recommendations on EU security strategy, multi-level governance, and funding

·        Action 3 - Evaluate the application of AI technologies

·        Action 4 – Develop a capacity building training scheme about integrated urban security

·        Action 5 - Measure the impact of social cohesion on security in public spaces

·        Action 6 - Develop guidance for architectural and spatial design (security by design)

More information on the UA Partnership on Security of Public Spaces and its upcoming outputs will be displayed on the EC Futurium web pages https://futurium.ec.europa.eu/en/urban-agenda/