Beyond technology: Why Europe's urban security needs social innovation
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After three years of research, the EU-funded CO-SECUR project is calling for a more participatory approach to security in public spaces. Its findings and policy recommendations will be presented at the project's Final Conference in Valencia on 24 November 2026.
How can European cities make public spaces safer while preserving the openness, inclusiveness and trust that make them valuable to communities?
As cities face increasingly complex security challenges, from crowded events and nightlife safety to social tensions and emerging digital threats, traditional approaches such as policing, surveillance and technology are no longer sufficient on their own.
Over the past three years, CO-SECUR, a Horizon Europe-funded project bringing together ten organisations from nine European countries, has explored how Social Innovation in Security (SIS) can help cities respond to these challenges. Coordinated by Kveloce, the project consortium includes the University of Valencia, DEFUS, SaferGlobe, SHINE 2Europe, European Integrated Project, EVALU, Tero, Smart Continent and DIGITALEUROPE, combining expertise in urban security, social sciences, citizen participation, social innovation, digital technologies and public policy.
CO-SECUR’s central message is simple. Lasting security is built not only through better tools, but also through stronger relationships between citizens, institutions and communities. Therefore, the future of safer public spaces lies in moving from securing spaces for people towards securing them with people.
What has CO-SECUR uncovered about urban security?
CO-SECUR's research highlights that security is not only about preventing incidents, but also about how people experience public spaces, whether they feel safe and whether they trust the institutions responsible for protecting them.
Through the analysis of practices and experiences across Europe, the project has identified five interconnected elements of more effective urban security: citizen participation, cross-sector cooperation, clear communication, people-centred urban design and responsible use of technology.
A key finding is that security solutions are more likely to gain public acceptance and deliver lasting benefits when communities are actively involved in shaping them.
This requires moving beyond occasional consultations towards meaningful participation, where citizens help identify challenges, develop responses and assess outcomes.
The project also highlights that no single solution works everywhere. Successful security initiatives must reflect local realities, community needs and institutional capacities.
From research to policy recommendations
CO-SECUR's findings translate into several recommendations for European, national and local policymakers.
First, citizen participation should become a permanent part of security governance, rather than an activity limited to individual projects. Public authorities need accessible participation mechanisms that give communities a genuine role in decisions affecting their safety.
Second, security policies should strengthen cooperation between municipalities, security practitioners, researchers, businesses and civil society. Clear responsibilities, sustained partnerships and shared objectives are essential to overcoming fragmented approaches.
Third, inclusion and trust must be treated as security priorities. Policies should account for the experiences of vulnerable and underrepresented groups, supported by accessible communication and inclusive public-space design.
Fourth, technology should support, rather than replace, people-centred approaches. Digital tools and surveillance measures must be proportionate, transparent and respectful of fundamental rights.
Finally, social innovation requires long-term investment and evaluation. Promising initiatives need stable resources, institutional support and ways to assess their impact beyond crime statistics, including public trust, perceptions of safety and social inclusion.
These recommendations also carry a message for future European research: security innovation should place greater emphasis on its social dimensions, test solutions over longer periods and examine how successful practices can be adapted to different cities.
Bringing the conversation to Valencia
On 24 November 2026, CO-SECUR will present its main results at its Final Conference, “Social Innovation for More Participatory Urban Security,” hosted at Las Naves – València Innovation Capital in Valencia, Spain.
The event will bring together policymakers, public authorities, security professionals, researchers, industry representatives and civil society organisations, with both in-person and online participation available.
Participants will explore the project's Societal Development Plan, policy recommendations, practical guidelines, good practices and digital tools designed to support more inclusive and effective security solutions.
The programme will also feature discussions on the role of social sciences in security, funding opportunities for social innovation and the future of European cooperation. A round table with Engage2Innovate, GATHERINGS, VANGUARD and the Valencia Local Police will connect CO-SECUR's findings with other European initiatives and local experiences.
An exhibition area will offer other European projects working on security, urban resilience and citizen participation an opportunity to showcase their work and establish new connections.
The conference will also look beyond the project's completion, exploring how its results and partnerships can continue to inform security policies and practices across Europe.
Join the conversation in Valencia or online on 24 November 2026.
Discover the CO-SECUR Final Conference and registration information
