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News PARTES-COM EN

Free Training for Leaders of Religious Communities on Security and Incident Prevention in Granada (Spain)

Participation in the training is free of charge, although places are limited. Interested individuals can register through the following form:
https://forms.gle/Z11YACeySvFV2RxT8

The Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies will hold a free training session on 16 April at its headquarters in Granada (C/ San Jerónimo, 27). The session is aimed at leaders of religious communities and will focus on preventive security and incident management. The activity is organised within the framework of the European project PARTESS-COM and is open to representatives of all religious denominations.

The training will be delivered by the specialized organization Enhancing Faith Institutions, which has extensive experience in training on community security and the protection of religious institutions. The event will be conducted in English and Spanish, with simultaneous interpretation to facilitate the participation of all attendees.

During the session, participants will address several key aspects related to the security of places of worship and community centers, including:

  • Concepts of preventive security
  • Development of crisis communication plans
  • Basic vulnerability assessment
  • Practical application of security resources
  • Reporting security incidents through a new digital platform
  • Exchange of good practices among religious communities

The objective of this session is to strengthen prevention and response capacities regarding security incidents, while also fostering cooperation between religious leaders, local communities, and security specialists.

The PARTESS-COM project (“Participatory Approaches to Protect Places of Worship, Schools and Community Centres”), in which the Euro-Arab Foundation participates, works to prevent hatred, extremism, and terrorism by collecting good practices in preventive, protective, and reactive security. It also promotes the training of community representatives and law enforcement officers in their practical application.

As part of this initiative, the project has developed a European digital platform that brings together security resources, facilitates exchanges among religious leaders from different countries, and enables citizens to report security-related incidents in places of worship.

Participation in the training is free of charge, although places are limited. Interested individuals can register through the following form:


https://forms.gle/Z11YACeySvFV2RxT8

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News Projects VANGUARD

Strengthening the Fight Against Online Trafficking Through Specialised Training for Law Enforcement in Romania

On 4 March, researcher Karen Hough from the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies delivered a specialised training session for police and border control officers in Romania, focusing on the growing risks of human trafficking in digital environments. This initiative was directly informed by the research results of the VANGUARD project, which analyses how exploitation is increasingly shifting into online spaces.

The training aimed to equip frontline professionals with advanced knowledge and practical tools to identify, prevent, and disrupt trafficking activities at their earliest stages. Drawing on evidence generated by VANGUARD, the session addressed key risk factors, vulnerability indicators, and emerging strategies used by criminal networks, such as online grooming, misuse of digital platforms, and concealment techniques. It also emphasised the practical application of this knowledge, translating project findings into operational solutions to strengthen detection capabilities, improve victim protection, and enhance cross-border cooperation between agencies.

The Fundación Euroárabe de Altos Estudios is actively involved in the European Horizon Europe VANGUARD project, an international initiative aimed at strengthening the fight against human trafficking through advanced technological solutions, specialised training, and collaboration between key stakeholders. The project brings together a broad consortium of European research institutions, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organisations, and focuses on improving the detection, investigation, and prevention of trafficking, particularly in its online and cross-border dimensions, through the development of artificial intelligence and data analysis tools.

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News Projects VANGUARD

Strengthening the Fight against Online Trafficking through Specialised Training for Law Enforcement in Romania

On March 4, Karen Hough, a researcher at the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies, delivered specialised training for police and border control officers in Romania, focusing on the growing risks of human trafficking in digital environments. This initiative was directly supported by the research findings of the VANGUARD project, which examines how exploitation is increasingly shifting toward online spaces.

The training aimed to equip frontline professionals with advanced knowledge and practical tools to identify, prevent, and dismantle trafficking activities in their early stages. Based on evidence generated by VANGUARD, the session addressed risk factors, indicators of vulnerability, and new strategies used by criminal networks, such as digital grooming, the misuse of online platforms, and concealment techniques. In addition, the session emphasised the practical application of this knowledge, transforming the project’s findings into operational solutions that strengthen detection capabilities, improve victim protection, and promote cross-border cooperation among agencies.

The Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies is actively involved in the European Horizon Europe VANGUARD project, an international initiative aimed at strengthening the fight against human trafficking through advanced technological solutions, specialised training, and cooperation among key stakeholders. The project brings together a broad consortium of European research institutions, law enforcement agencies, and social organizations, and focuses on improving the detection, investigation, and prevention of trafficking (particularly in its online and cross-border dimensions) through the development of tools based on artificial intelligence and data analysis.

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EUKH EN News Projects RADICALIZACION EN

New Yearbook on Jihadist Terrorism: A Key Analysis of the Global Threat’s Evolution

On February 27, the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies participated in the presentation of the Jihadist Terrorism Yearbook 2025, a benchmark publication edited by the International Observatory for Studies on Terrorism (OIET). This edition once again features the contribution of Daniel F. Pérez, researcher and project coordinator at the Euro-Arab Foundation.

The report, which consolidates monitoring data from the past year, reveals a significant transformation in radicalization dynamics and a shift in violence hotspots—with a particular impact on the African continent and the persistent threat within digital environments.

In this edition, Daniel F. Pérez-García provides a fundamental academic and strategic perspective, examining the complex relationship between Jihadism and the Far Right. The core of Pérez-García’s contribution focuses on the phenomenon of “reciprocal radicalisation,” where both extremisms operate as “rhetorical allies” that feed into each other in a vicious cycle of hatred. According to the researcher, although their ultimate goals are antagonistic, these movements converge through a shared architecture of nostalgia, existential threats, and utopias of purity.

The study highlights a concerning “mirror effect”:

  • Supremacist racism is instrumentalised by Jihadism to denounce an alleged crusade against Islam.
  • Radical Islamist rhetoric is used by the Far Right to justify a threat to national identity.

Ultimately, both ideologies target democratic institutions and social pluralism.

From Reaction to Resilience

As a response to this challenge, Pérez-García advocates for a transition from the current “culture of reaction” toward a “culture of resilience” based on strategic communication. He proposes an operational roadmap utilizing advanced tools, such as Artificial Intelligence for early detection and the creation of hyper-personalized counter-narratives.

“The goal is to connect emotionally with younger audiences in the digital environment before a cognitive fixation on extremist discourses occurs, thereby strengthening social cohesion against the polarization that defines the current geopolitical landscape,” states the Euro-Arab researcher.

Yearbook Links:

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EN Hatedemics News Projects

The Euro-Arab Foundation takes part in the HATEDEMICS Conference “Internet in 2026: Disinformation, Polarisation and Hate”

Last Thursday, February 19, the conference “Internet in 2026: Disinformation, Polarisation and Hate” took place at the Palacio de la Prensa in Madrid. The event, held within the framework of the European project HATEDEMICS, was organized by Maldita.es (MALDITA), the Centro de Estudios Andaluces (CENTRA), and the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies.

The conference brought together journalists, academics, analysts, and representatives of civil society organisations with the aim of reflecting on the current state of the Internet, (mis)information processes, and the rise of hate speech in the digital environment.

The event was opened by representatives of the three partner organisations involved in the project. Speakers included Clara Jiménez, co-founder of the Maldita.es Foundation; Eladia Illescas, researcher at CENTRA; and José Luis Salido, researcher and project coordinator at the Euro-Arab Foundation.

During his speech, José Luis Salido stressed the need to promote initiatives such as HATEDEMICS, which aim to curb the proliferation of online hate speech through the use of technological tools, applied research, and civic education. He also highlighted the importance of cooperation among specialised organizations as an essential way to strengthen digital resilience and safeguard democratic quality in the face of polarization and disinformation.

Analysis and Proposals to Address Online Hate

The first panel of the conference addressed the challenges and possible solutions to online hate speech. The panel featured Mario Lara Delgado, Head of Section at the Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE); Ángeles Blanco, Board Member for Cooperation and Hate Crimes at FELGTBI+; and Cristina de la Serna Sandoval, Director of the Department of Equality and Anti-Discrimination at the Fundación Secretariado Gitano. The session was moderated by F. Javier Montilla, representing the Euro-Arab Foundation.

Key issues discussed during the debate included the relationship between hate speech and hate crimes, the causes behind the increase of such discourse in digital environments, the consequences of discrimination both for those who experience it and for society as a whole, and the measures needed to combat this phenomenon. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of existing legislation, its proper enforcement, and the fundamental role of prevention and education.

Project Presentation and Practical Training

The remainder of the conference included a presentation of the HATEDEMICS project by CENTRA, as well as several roundtables featuring journalists who shared their experiences in tackling online disinformation and polarisation. The challenges of accessing high-quality information in today’s digital ecosystem were also discussed.

The event concluded with a workshop presenting the platform and educational materials developed within the framework of the project. The aim was to provide practical tools for identifying hoaxes and fake news, recognising content generated by artificial intelligence, and understanding the cognitive biases that influence information consumption.

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News Projects victory

VicTory: First Exchange Event to Combat Hate and Extremism in Europe

The European project VicTory has successfully concluded its first Experience and Exchange Training Event, held from February 10th to 12th, 2026. Over three intensive days, professionals from five partner countries gathered to comprehensively address the worrying rise in intolerance and its impact on victimization.

The meeting brought together a multidisciplinary group composed of victim support professionals—specifically those working with victims of hate crimes—judicial authorities, and civil society prevention experts.

Support for Victims of Hate Crimes and Violent Extremism with a Rights-Based Perspective

Throughout the three-day program, participants discussed comprehensive strategies to support victims of hate crimes and violent extremism, highlighting the importance of a person-centered approach oriented toward restorative justice.

In a joint session led by Rascha Albaba, a researcher from the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies, and the Ararteko (Ombudsman of the Basque Country), it was emphasized that victims should not be reduced solely to their status as victims: they are human beings with fundamental rights, and all support services must guarantee their dignity and safety.

The sessions emphasized the implementation of a human rights-based approach, explaining how victims’ rights are protected under international frameworks and within the European Union. Professionals were provided with existing mechanisms through which they can indirectly reinforce this protection at an international level. Additionally, practical “dos and don’ts” guidelines for victim care were provided to avoid causing further harm (secondary victimization) during the reporting and recovery processes.

The Ararteko delved into the role of key institutions in protecting victims’ rights, presenting concrete examples of restorative justice that balance the reparation of harm with the safety and well-being of those affected.

Theory and Practice in Action

The sessions combined theory and practice, including a site visit to the Rete di Dafne project in Palazzolo. There, participants observed how community networks transform vulnerability into strength by providing support, validation, and security to victims. This holistic approach demonstrated how collaboration between professionals and communities can significantly improve the protection and accompaniment of victims of hate crimes and extremist violence. The event was characterized by its human focus, allowing participants to hear real testimonies from both victims of extremism and individuals who had caused harm.

Next Steps for the VicTory Project

VicTory is an international initiative that seeks to improve responses to hate and extremism through cooperation between judicial, law enforcement, and victim support actors. With an approach based on the victim and restorative justice, it promotes a safer and more resilient Europe.

This event in Brescia marks the beginning of a series of three exchange meetings planned within the project. The participation of the Euro-Arab Foundation in these forums reinforces its position as a leader in applied research and training regarding the prevention of extremist violence and the protection of human rights—even for the most vulnerable—proving that in the face of transnational challenges, the solution must be shared and coordinated.

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News Projects

The Euro-Arab Foundation’s Participation in the ‘Mediterranean Progressive Academy’

The Mediterranean Progressive Academy is hosting a three-day meeting in Barcelona (from 18 to 20 February) focused on identity, cooperation, and the future of the Euro-Mediterranean region. The main objective of the program is to commemorate 30 years of the Barcelona Declaration, while also analyzing dialogue and shared challenges within the current geopolitical context.

In the panel “What Unites Us in the Mediterranean?”, which took place on Wednesday, 18 February , Jusaima Moaid-azm Peregrina, a researcher at the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies and professor at the University of Granada, offered a review of the Barcelona Process 30 years after the 1995 Declaration. During her intervention, she explained the foundational ambition of promoting a Euro-Mediterranean space of peace, prosperity, and cooperation through three pillars (political-security, economic, and social-cultural) and its subsequent evolution with the creation of the Union for the Mediterranean as a more operational framework.

Moaid-azm’s intervention highlighted key achievements—such as the consolidation of a common language of cooperation, dialogue networks, and a sustained Euro-Mediterranean agenda—while also analysing structural limits that have hindered regional integration, such as the persistence of the socioeconomic gap, challenges in governance and stability, and the need to adopt an approach centered on civil society.

In 2025, the Euro-Arab Foundation also celebrated the 30th anniversary of its creation, a milestone that coincides with the three decades of the Barcelona Process analysed during the conference. Through its research and academic work, the institution continues to consolidate itself as a strategic bridge for peace and shared prosperity in the region.

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EN Hatedemics News Projects

Final Conference of HATEDEMICS in Granada

On March 26, the final conference of HATEDEMICS will take place in Granada under the title “Strengthening Europe’s Response to Online Hate Speech and Disinformation.” The event will be held at the Aula Magna of the Faculty of Political Science and Sociology at the University of Granada, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It will be organized in a hybrid format (in person and online) and will bring together policymakers, academics, civil society organizations, technology professionals, young people, fact-checkers, and journalists, offering a unique opportunity to exchange perspectives and reflect on current challenges and future strategies at the European level.

This one-day conference represents a key milestone in the HATEDEMICS project’s efforts to address online hate speech and disinformation. By combining artificial intelligence and human expertise, the project has developed innovative tools to monitor, detect, and counter harmful narratives, while promoting ethical, inclusive, and democratic digital spaces.

The conference will present the project’s main results and will feature roundtables, presentations, and interactive workshops where participants will be able to test the AI-based tools created to detect disinformation and hate speech.

Registration to attend the event is now open and can be completed through this link.

Download the event agenda.

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News PARTES-COM EN

PARTESS-COM and EFUS present a series of European training sessions to strengthen security in public spaces

The PARTESS-COM project, in which the Euro-Arab Foundation participates, in collaboration with EFUS (European Forum for Urban Security) and with the support of the Brussels Police (PolBru) and safe.brussels, announces the launch of a series of European training sessions aimed at professionals interested in improving the security of public spaces and places of worship.

These training sessions aim to strengthen prevention, protection, and resilience capacities in the face of risks and threats that may affect gathering places and the public at large. The project promotes cooperation among local communities, authorities, and professionals to exchange promising practices and build effective strategies in the field of urban security.

The training series consists of three one-day in-person sessions to be held in Brussels throughout 2026:

  • From risk assessment to resilience: local crime prevention strategies for safer public spaces.
  • Protecting what matters: assessing and reducing vulnerabilities in places of worship.
  • Communication under pressure: managing communication before, during, and after a crisis.

The sessions will provide transferable tools and methodologies to develop approaches tailored to different environments and contexts, with particular attention to educational institutions and places of worship such as synagogues, mosques, or churches.

Practical information:

  • Session dates: April 14, May 20, and June 10, 2026.
  • Location: Brussels (Belgium).
  • Coverage: The project covers participants’ travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs.
  • Language: The sessions will be conducted primarily in English, with possible simultaneous interpretation into French.
  • Registration: Registration (via this link) does not guarantee participation. Final selection will aim to ensure balanced representation among stakeholder groups, geographical areas, and available places.

This training cycle represents a unique opportunity for local officials, law enforcement representatives, community leaders, and civil protection professionals to update their knowledge and share experiences in a European context.

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EN Hatedemics News Projects

HATEDEMICS: Conference “Internet in 2026: Disinformation, Polarisation and Hate”

The MALDITA Foundation, the Andalusian Centre for Studies, and the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies are co-organising the event “Internet in 2026: Disinformation, Polarization and Hate”, which will take place free of charge at the Palacio de la Prensa in Madrid on 19 February. The event is part of the European project Hatedemics, funded by the European Union, and brings together civil society organisations, experts and academics to discuss current challenges on the internet—such as the spread of hate speech and polarising content—and to explore possible solutions.

Registration is available through the following form:
https://bit.ly/4tmUBVK

More information:
https://maldita.es/nosotros/20260205/fundacion-malditaes-co-organiza-la-jornada-internet-en-2026-desinformacion-polarizacion-y-odio/