Strengthening the security and resilience of at-risk religious sites and communities

_ Duration 2021 – 2023

_ Programme IFSP – Internal Security Fund Police

_ Call  ISFP-2020-AG-PROTECT

_ Total Project Budget € 3.258.999,58

_ Grant Agreement model Budget-Based

Short description 

The SOAR (Strengthening the Security and Resilience of At-Risk Religious Sites and Communities) project, funded by the European Commission, aimed to enhance the protection of places of worship and religious communities within the EU. SOAR focused on improving awareness and preparedness against security threats through training, resources and the development of inclusive networks across all faiths. It conducted research into the causes of terrorist threats, assessed training needs for vulnerable groups and implemented security-by-design principles. The project operated in seven EU countries – France, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Denmark, Hungary and the Netherlands – engaging religious leaders, security personnel, women, youth, law enforcement and policymakers to strengthen collaboration and resilience.

The Architects´ Council of Europe’s involvement 

The Architects’ Council of Europe contributed to the SOAR project by providing expertise on security-by-design principles for protecting places of worship across the EU. ACE’s role focused on integrating architectural knowledge into guidelines and best practices for enhancing the safety and resilience of religious sites. In addition to its technical contributions, ACE facilitated policy dialogue among architects, planners, religious leaders and public authorities to explore challenges and opportunities for implementing security-by-design approaches. Through these efforts, ACE supported the development of strategies to improve the protection of religious communities within the EU.

Project results 

A significant outcome of the project was the identification of architectural and design best practice examples through an EU-wide competition organised by the Architects’ Council of Europe. These examples were used to develop design guidelines aimed at improving the security of religious sites and their associated public spaces for all congregants and visitors. The guidelines emphasise the integration of security features into the design and fabric of buildings and their urban context, promoting a ‘security by design’ approach. Additionally, the project conducted research into the causes of terrorist threats, assessed training needs for vulnerable groups and implemented security-by-design principles. It provided training, resources and developed inclusive networks across all faiths to improve awareness and preparedness against security threats. The project also organised national policy dialogues in each of the seven countries to share best practices and policy recommendations, fostering a collaborative approach to enhancing the safety and resilience of religious sites.

Other relevant results

Security by design app.

Architectural Best Practice Examples of religious places Booklet.

20 security tips for Churches, Mosques, and Synagogues.

Coordinator

Enhancing Faith Institutions – Denmark

Project Partners

_ Finn Church Aid – Finland

_ Architects´ Council of Europe – Belgium

For more information

SOAR website | Twitter page | YouTube channel | Facebook page

This project has received funding from the European Union´s Internal Security Fund Police under the grant agreement 101034222