The EU-funded project SOAR aims to strengthen the security and resilience of at-risk religious sites and communities across 7 EU member states (France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Netherlands and Denmark). The project was launched in 2021 and delivered over 50 training events that included protective security trainings, national launch, and briefing events,  for over 1,000 participants comprised of faith communities, policymakers, law enforcement, local, regional, and national authorities, and architects.

Considering the rise of hate speech and crimes targeting religious sites and communities across Europe, the SOAR project has become a guiding mechanism on how to safeguard houses of worship and strengthen the collaboration between the European Union and its member states, security personnel and faith communities. Furthermore, it promotes the United Nations Plan of Action on Safeguarding Houses of Worship, and EU tools such as the EU Quick Guide to Protecting Places of Worship and EC Security by Design publication.

This press release aims to highlight the work of SOAR and its partners and the need for safety and security training for faith women and youth. The project has prioritized the development of sustainable solutions to safeguard both the physical and mental well-being of faith communities through the integration of capacity-building actions, such as practical and tailored security training for at-risk communities. Accordingly, this press release introduces a new set of SOAR training tailored specifically for women and youth.

Increased attacks against places of worship point to a bigger issue of religious intolerance and violations of one of our core rights: freedom of religion and belief. Hate, intolerance, and discrimination can affect all groups in our societies, including women and youth. According to World Health Organisation, 30% of women aged 15 years and older have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence. WHO also points out that 42% of the total number of homicides globally each year occur among youth 10–29 years of age.

In April 2022, a priest and nun were attacked with a knife in a French church. In February 2023, 20 years old man was stabbed after visiting a mosque in Germany. In March 2023, two women were killed at the Ismaili Muslim centre in Portugal. Recent attacks against women at youth in and in the vicinity of places of worship highlight the desperate need for Women and Youth Safety and Security Awareness Training.

The SOAR Project understands this need and is offering tailored training based on the assessed needs of youth and women. The main themes covered in the training include internal and external online and physical security threats women and youth face. The aim of this training is to equip women and youth worshipers with practical means to improve their security in and around places of worship. It is interfaith in nature and shaped towards each of our seven pilot countries. The participants will have the chance to participate in interfaith dialogue as part of the training and share their worries and experiences. The SOAR Project understands gender-based needs and the sensitivity around certain topics. Thus, the project will organise a number of women-only events to offer a safe space for our participants to share and engage with the training.

The target audience for Youth and Women training sessions are:

  • Women from all faiths and ages
  • Youth of all genders and faiths between the ages of 15-29
  • No prior security experience needed

This project has received funding from the European Union’s ISFP-2020- AG-Protect programme under grant agreement No: 101034222.

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