Category: Projects

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News Projects VANGUARD

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons by means of threats, use of force or other forms of coercion, for the purpose of exploitation, which may be sexual, labour-related, or for the removal of organs, among others.

The United Nations General Assembly designated 30 July as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in 2013, with the aim of mobilising resources and efforts to combat this crime and support victims.

The Euro-Arab Foundation is involved in projects funded by the European Commission, such as VANGUARD, which aims to break the chain of human trafficking from a human rights perspective and put survivors at the centre of policies.

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ERAMUS KA ADULT en News Projects

The E+ Program organises a mobility workshop on project writing and management

The deadline to submit applications and participate in the E+ Program mobility How to write a European project? which will take place from August 2 to 12 in Amblar-Don, Italy, is now open. This stay will be hosted by Ines- Itinerari in Natura per un’ Educazione Sostenible and its main objective is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences on writing and managing European projects, focusing mainly on the Erasmus+ program.

Participants will not only be able to strengthen their own skills, but will also act as trainers, sharing knowledge, methodologies and good practices in the preparation of European proposals. This bidirectional teaching-learning interaction will strengthen institutional capacities, foster international collaboration and generate an impact at both individual and collective levels, by promoting a culture of active participation in initiatives financed by the European Union. The activity is co-financed by the Erasmus+ program and covers accommodation, food, insurance, travel and educational activity expenses.

To participate, send an email to: edesolidaridad[at]gmail.com

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data quality en News Projects

DATA EQUALITY Consortium to Forge Common EU Methodology

The final workshop of the European project DATA EQUALITY will take place on July 9th in Rimini, Italy. The Euro-Arab Foundation is part of this project, which aims to prevent and combat intersectional data discrimination. This workshop brings together law enforcement agencies, judicial professionals, civil society organizations, and researchers to discuss the main conclusions from four thematic Working Groups. These groups focused on data collection and management, data analysis, data exchange, and bias and ethical issues in the use of data for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools.

Throughout the project, participants from across Europe have explored common challenges and shared best practices. Through three transnational workshops and four specific working groups, they have identified key elements that should shape a Shared European Methodology on Equality Data. This new methodology aims to promote the ethical, secure, and inclusive use of data related to discrimination.

About DATA EQUALITY

DATA EQUALITY is a project funded by the European Commission through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme. The consortium, comprising nine members and coordinated by the Corte di Appello di Venezia, includes the Euro-Arab Foundation and the City Council of Murcia, along with other entities from various European countries. Launched in September 2024 and scheduled to conclude in May 2026, the project has three main objectives:

  • Improve the capacities of public authorities to effectively investigate, prosecute, and adequately sentence discrimination incidents.
  • Enhance cooperation and information exchange among public authorities (particularly district courts and municipal and regional administrations), as well as between public authorities and other stakeholders, such as civil society organizations and community representatives, to improve responses to discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance.
  • Improve the discrimination recording and data collection system, enhance the methodological approach, and foster inter-institutional cooperation in data collection.
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IN2PREV-en News Projects

Granada Hosts Final IN2PREV Training Seminar

From June 24th to 26th, the Euro-Arab Foundation, a member of the consortium for the European IN2PREV project aimed at preventing radicalization through the successful inclusion of refugees, organized the project’s final training seminar. Titled Training of Trainers: Mentorship Program and Vulnerability Assessment, the activity brought together over 40 participants, including consortium partners and frontline professionals from Law Enforcement Agencies and non-governmental organizations across several European countries. The objective was to enhance their competencies in law enforcement and community cooperation to prevent radicalization by ensuring the inclusion of refugees.

To achieve this, the training developed the professionals’ capacity to transmit the knowledge acquired in previous IN2PREV trainings held in Poland and Slovakia. It also strengthened their understanding and use of the project’s products and fostered collaboration and the exchange of best practices between law enforcement agencies and non-governmental organizations.

IN2PREV Final Conference

The IN2PREV project is a European initiative that began in September 2022. The Euro-Arab Foundation participates as a member, alongside partners from Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Slovakia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The project’s goal is to facilitate the integration of refugees and asylum seekers and prevent their radicalization through the early identification of vulnerability risk factors. The successful inclusion of refugees as a means to prevent radicalization is a topic that, despite its recognized importance and growing concern, has not received adequate attention or action and is often addressed through highly securitized approaches.

After three years of research and training, the final IN2PREV project conference will take place on October 1st, 2025, in the Portuguese city of Porto. The event will serve as a platform to present the project’s final results to key organizations and representatives of the European Commission.

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News Projects VANGUARD

Vanguard Project Shares Groundbreaking Anti-Trafficking Research at KU Leuven Workshop

On 16the June, researchers from the Vanguard project convened a hybrid workshop at KU Leuven University presenting the latest findings from their academic research on the prestigious Horizon Europe anti-trafficking initiative.

The workshop featured a presentation by Karen Hough from the Euro-Arab Foundation and Teresa Forlitti from Hart and Stand in the United States about their collaborative paper, “Creating sustainable models for the inclusion of lived experience experts in anti-trafficking preventative measures and policy making: insights from the Vanguard project”.

Attended by a diverse group of experts, including representatives from the European Commission, academia, and NGOs, the workshop fostered a highly productive and formative discussion. The research results were very well received, highlighting the project’s impact in the fight against human trafficking.

The Vanguard project, a European-financed initiative, is dedicated to strengthening the combat against human trafficking (THB). It achieves this by providing an improved intelligence picture, delivering an advanced and trustworthy suite of tools, and implementing innovative training activities.

Further workshops are planned in the coming months to continue sharing the project’s vital research and foster ongoing collaboration.

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EN PARTES News PARTES-COM EN Projects

PARTES Project Concludes, Evolves into PARTESS-COM

On June 16, the PARTES project culminated in its final conference in Vienna, gathering researchers, faith-community representatives, and security experts. Over its two-year duration, the project focused on protecting places of worship. It was made possible by financial support from the European Commission’s Internal Security Fund (ISF) and saw fifteen partners from ten European countries collaborate on this vital initiative.

The European Commission’s DG Home’s representative underscored the crucial role of Union Actions projects, like PARTES, in tackling transnational issues affecting the entire EU. At its core, PARTES aimed to bolster the protection of places of worship by fostering a deeper understanding of violent extremism and its potential impact. Its six key objectives included mapping threats, assessing vulnerabilities, and facilitating the exchange of best practices among diverse religious communities.

A critical aspect addressed was online threats, with a presentation by SCENOR detailing how extremist organizations exploit digital platforms to spread right-wing hate. This analysis revealed a significant shift in strategy: unlike in the past, these groups now actively conceal their true ideologies and objectives by masking their hate. This tactic allows them to evade moderation and reach a broader audience.

The project also introduced the “PARTES Guardian approach,” which prioritizes engaging faith communities and incorporating their concerns to ensure protective measures are culturally and spiritually appropriate. To further support these efforts, PARTES developed 23 “action sheets” – practical, step-by-step best practices gathered from 10 partners, covering areas like interfaith dialogues and mental health crisis guidelines. The conference concluded with acknowledgements to the dedicated team members, technicians, and security personnel who contributed to its success.

Euro-Arab Foundation Article Highlights Rising Vulnerability to Hate Crimes

During the final event of PARTES, the Euro-Arab Foundation, José Luis Salido Medina, exposed the results of his research on Extremism and Places of Worship: Analysis of Strategies and Ideological Motivations, conducted as part of the project. The article examines the increasing vulnerability of religious communities to hate crimes driven by extremist narratives. It presents findings from an analysis of 25 case studies of hate crimes and violent attacks across 13 European countries.  The research delves into the ideological and strategic characteristics of extremist groups involved, considering factors such as the perpetrator’s ideology, the nature of the attack, online/offline dimensions, and the presence of manifestos.

The final event of the PARTES project marked a significant milestone, signalling its transformation into PARTESS-COM. This evolution is a testament to the substantial work accomplished and the robust networks established during the project’s tenure.

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EN Hatedemics News Projects

The Euro-Arab Foundation Addresses Misogynistic Violence and Incel Communities at International Anti-Discrimination Conference

On June 12nd, Murcia hosted the International Conference Against Underreporting of Discrimination and Hate Crimes. Organized by Columbares, this conference was a crucial event for addressing the concerning reality of low reporting rates in cases of discrimination and hate crimes.

The event’s opening featured Rosa Cano, director of Columbares, who emphasized the urgency of combating intolerance in light of the worrying underreporting data. Also present were Ana Vanesa Valero García (Vice-Rector for Continuing Education at the University of Murcia), Leopoldo Olmo Fernández-Delgado (Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Policy, Families, and Equality for the Region of Murcia), and Pilar Torres (Councillor for Social Welfare, Family, and Health for the City of Murcia). The Director-General for Family Diversity and Social Services of the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and Agenda 2030, Patricia Bezunartea Barrio, participated remotely.

One of the standout presentations at the conference was given by José Luis Salido Medina, a researcher at the Euro-Arab Foundation, titled “The Violent Face of Misogyny: Manosphere and Incel Communities.”

During his presentation, the researcher delved into the incel movement, exploring its origin and context within the ecosystem of misogynistic movements and the so-called “manosphere.” The talk critically addressed the intrinsic relationship between hatred and violence, examining the common elements that underlie both and how these manifest specifically in the case of incel communities. Finally, Salido offered a concise reflection on a prevention paradigm specifically applicable to addressing misogynistic movements and the incel phenomenon, highlighting the importance of proactive strategies to combat these violent ideologies.

The conference also served as the platform for the presentation of the book “Breaking the Silence.” The result of research by Columbares, the book compiles testimonies from victims of hate crimes in various contexts (public spaces, social media, homes) and addresses topics such as LGTBIfobia, aporophobia, and racism. These accounts offer deep insights into the victims’ experiences, their reporting processes, and the consequences on their daily lives.

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News Projects VANGUARD

The Euro-Arab Foundation Highlights the Role of Ethical AI in the Fight Against Human Trafficking at High-Level Conference in Malta

The Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies participated in the “Empowering Change: Technology and AI in the Fight Against Human Trafficking” Conference, held on June 11, 2025, in Malta. The event, organized under the Maltese Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, brought together experts and global leaders to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in eradicating this heinous crime.

During the conference, Karen Latricia Hough, researcher at the Euro-Arab Foundation, presented the innovative Horizon Europe Vanguard project in a crucial panel titled “AI and Human Rights.” Hough’s intervention underscored Vanguard’s commitment to developing technological tools that, in addition to being highly effective, strictly adhere to legal and ethical principles.

The conference served as a vital platform for dialogue among governments, international organizations, law enforcement agencies, academia, and civil society. Key topics addressed included the use of innovative technologies to dismantle trafficking networks, the human rights implications of AI use, and the need to foster intersectoral partnerships for a more robust global response.

Among the invited speakers were Professor Siobhán Mullally, UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons and Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights; the OSCE Special Representative and Coordinator for Combating Human Trafficking; and Petya Nestorova, Executive Secretary of GRETA. The conference was attended by law enforcement agents, academics, experts, and representatives from NGOs. In particular, Dr. Hough discussed how the research team is ensuring that the technological tools created in the Vanguard project align with legal and ethical requirements.

The date coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, reaffirming the commitment of member states to innovative, rights-based responses in the evolving digital environment. This landmark instrument aims to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in ways that fully respect democratic values, protect human rights, and uphold the rule of law – including in the crucial fight against trafficking in human beings.

VANGUARD Consortium Meeting

Researchers from the Euro-Arab Foundation attended the fourth VANGUARD consortium meeting in Lisbon to discuss the results of the Horizon Europe Vanguard project. The event took place at the judicial police office in Lisbon, where technological tools, including facial recognition and emotion recognition tools, were showcased. Researchers also discussed in depth the next steps for the project, which include policy roundtables and publications.

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News Projects Rebel EN

We participate in the REFUGIN Project Final Conference emphasising ethical refugee integration

The Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies recently participated in the REFUGIN Project Final Conference, held on May 30th in Lisbon, Portugal. The conference served as a vital platform for professionals from across Portugal and Europe to share insights, reflect on project outcomes, and explore future strategies for the inclusion and integration of individuals in refugee-like situations.

The Euro-Arab Foundation’s researcher, Rascha Albaba Acosta, delivered a presentation highlighting the critical need for ethical and human rights- compliant inclusion of refugee populations in Europe. She stressed the importance of fostering and establishing national and cross-border cooperation mechanisms to effectively address the needs of these communities.

The REFUGIN Project, an IPS-partnered initiative, promotes a dual, inclusive approach by empowering refugees as active participants in their integration journey and mobilising civil society to create supportive, welcoming environments through shared responsibility.
The conference brought together diverse stakeholders to exchange best practices and discuss lessons learned, reinforcing the collective commitment to enhancing refugee integration across the continent.

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EN Hatedemics News Projects

Evaluating the HATEDEMICS Project’s Platform against Hate Speech

The Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies played an active role in the pilot session organised to evaluate the functioning of the HATEDEMICS project platform. This European initiative aims to develop innovative tools for the detection and analysis of hate speech online, as well as for the promotion of alternative narratives.

The test session, held at the Museum of Andalusian Autonomy on Thursday 22 May, was attended by staff from project partners, including the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies, through its researcher Lucía G. del Moral; the Maldita Foundation, the Andalusian Studies Centre (organiser of the session), as well as education specialists, journalists and professionals from various NGOs and civil society organisations. Participants were able to interact with the functionalities of the tool, providing valuable comments and suggestions for its optimisation.

The Euro-Arab Foundation’s involvement in this project underlines its commitment to promoting coexistence, respect and the fight against all forms of intolerance and discrimination. Its participation in the evaluation of the HATEDEMICS platform is an important step in ensuring that this tool is robust and useful in combating hate speech in the digital environment.

The HATEDEMICS project, funded by the European Union, brings together academic institutions, civil society organisations and technology experts from various countries. The platform being developed will enable researchers, practitioners and the general public to better understand the dynamics of hate speech and contribute to its prevention and mitigation.