Cities and regions must be fully involved in European security policy and given the tools and resources to prevent radicalisation, protect critical infrastructure and support communities after an attack, according to an opinion led by Olgierd Geblewicz (PL/EPP) Presdient of West Pomerania on the EU’s ProtectEU Agenda to Prevent and Counter Terrorism.
The opinion, adopted unanimously by the European Committee of the Regions’ Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs (CIVEX), calls for cities and regions to be systematically involved in the development and implementation of EU and national counter-terrorism policies. “We are presenting the European Commission with a clear and straightforward message: if Europe wants to be safe and secure, it must involve cities and regions in security policy. Because prevention takes place locally. Infrastructure is protected locally. The first signs of radicalisation appear locally. And it is locally that people must be supported after a crisis,” said Geblewicz.
The opinion highlights four priorities for the local and regional level:
Prevent radicalisation locally: cities and regions need adequate tools and support, particularly in schools, youth policy, social services and integration, where early signs of radicalisation can be identified.
Protect public spaces and critical infrastructure: local and regional authorities manage infrastructure including hospitals, water systems, waste facilities and public transport and must be involved in making them more resilient to terrorist and hybrid threats.
Make EU security funding accessible locally: targeted EU funding should be directly available to cities and regions for protecting public spaces, infrastructure and transport systems, with adequate resources also secured under the next EU budget.
Create an EU Local Security Agenda: the European Commission should work with the CoR to map local security needs, capacities and good practices and strengthen the role of cities and regions in preventing and responding to terrorist and hybrid threats.
The opinion also stresses that local and regional authorities need the capacity to provide rapid psychological, social and material support to victims and communities following an attack and to help restore normal life as quickly as possible.