European security must start at the local and regional level, with stronger protection for critical infrastructure, greater investment in preventing radicalisation, direct EU funding for cities and regions, and better cooperation between local authorities and national security services. These are among the key recommendations put forward by Olgierd Geblewicz (PL/EPP), President of the West Pomerania Region, whose opinion on ProtectEU: Agenda to prevent and counter terrorism* was adopted by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) during its October plenary session.
The opinion responds to an evolving security landscape marked by terrorism, online radicalisation, disinformation, sabotage and hybrid threats. It highlights the responsibilities of cities and regions in protecting citizens, managing essential infrastructure and preventing violent extremism.
“There can be no effective European security without safe cities and regions, no effective fight against radicalisation without local communities, and no genuine European resilience without cooperation at every level of government,” said Geblewicz.
Preventing radicalisation starts in local communities
A central recommendation of the opinion is to strengthen the role of local and regional authorities in preventing radicalisation, particularly among children and young people.
Cities and regions have important responsibilities in education, youth policy, social services, culture and social inclusion. The opinion therefore calls for long-term support for locally tailored prevention programmes, including teacher training, psychological assistance, youth work, sports and cultural activities, and cooperation with civil society.
Particular attention is given to online radicalisation, including extremist networks operating through social media and online gaming platforms. Geblewicz calls for structured cooperation between local authorities, national regulators and European institutions to identify emerging risks and respond more effectively.
The opinion also proposes formally involving the CoR in the EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation and giving priority to reports from competent local and regional authorities concerning illegal terrorist and extremist content.
Protecting hospitals, public transport and essential services
The opinion stresses that European security depends on protecting the infrastructure that citizens rely on every day.
Hospitals, emergency medical facilities, water supplies, district heating networks, waste management systems and public transport are often managed or supervised by local and regional authorities. These services must be better protected against terrorist attacks, sabotage and hybrid threats.
To achieve this, the opinion calls for the introduction of security by design in urban planning and infrastructure development, stronger cooperation on the protection of public transport and direct EU financial support for local security investments.
Geblewicz underlined the urgency of adapting Europe's security policies to new threats: “The terrorist threat has not disappeared; it is evolving. We face online radicalisation, the exploitation of young people by extremist organisations, disinformation, sabotage and hybrid threats, including those inspired by hostile states. Russia’s war against Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East remind us that Europe’s security cannot be taken for granted. And Europe’s security begins in our cities and regions, where our citizens live and where essential services and critical infrastructure are located.”
An EU local security agenda and direct funding for cities and regions
Among its most significant recommendations, the opinion calls on the European Commission to develop an EU local security agenda, in cooperation with the Committee of the Regions. This initiative would identify the security needs and capacities of cities and regions, share good practices and strengthen local preparedness against terrorism, radicalisation and hybrid threats.
The opinion also calls for:
- Direct EU funding to improve the security of public spaces, critical infrastructure and local transport systems.
- Better information-sharing between national security authorities and cities and regions, including on terrorist threats, reintegration of convicted offenders and hybrid threats.
- Stronger local emergency preparedness, including public awareness campaigns, media literacy and rapid psychological, social and material support for victims of terrorist attacks.
- Systematic involvement of cities and regions in developing and implementing national counter-terrorism strategies and relevant European security initiatives.
- Adequate resources under the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, with simplified access to funding, technical assistance and capacity-building, particularly for smaller administrations and rural, mountainous and border regions.
The opinion also draws attention to the particular vulnerabilities of Europe's eastern border and Mediterranean regions, calling for their specific security and resilience needs to be reflected in future EU policies and funding instruments.