Vulnerability Assessment Workshop in Rome, 30-31 January, 2024

This pivotal phase culminated in a final Vulnerability Assessment (VA) workshop and a significant dissemination event at the Great Mosque of Rome on January 30, 2024, organized by the European Islamic Association (EIA) in collaboration with the Islamic Cultural Center and the SPIRIT consortium.  

This significant gathering united diverse religious leaders, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and academics to discuss the enhancement of security measures for religious sites. The dissemination event featured influential speakers including Imam El Rafaey El Shahat Abd Rabou Issa of the Great Mosque of Rome, Rabbi Scialom Bahbout of the Jewish Community of Rome, and Monsignor Jean Marie Gervais representing the St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, who shared insights on the security vulnerabilities faced by religious venues. Highlighting recent incidents, they emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to protect these communities

Vulnerability Assessment Workshop in Brussels, 28-29 November, 2023

The following workshop was conducted in the city of Brussels and hosted by the European Organization for Security (EOS).

As an integral part of comprehensive workshop agenda, the partners and invited stakeholders explored vulnerabilities in one of Brussels’ iconic landmarks—the Cathedrale of St. Michel and Gudule.This historical religious site not only provided a unique setting for our assessments but also offered valuable insights into history of the Cathedrale!

Vulnerability Assessment Workshop in Munich, 7-8 November, 2023

The workshop was organized and hosted by the Bavarian University of Applied Sciences for Public Affairs (BayHfoD).

Participants comprised of partners as well as representatives from local stakeholders, including faith-leaders and LEA officers.

Each of the workshops is aimed at applying vulnerability assessment tools and gathering input on how to ameliorate the tools and the process, ultimately developing an Enhanced Vulnerability Assessment Methodology. In the case of the workshop by BayHfoD, the participants visited and assessed the Church of St. Mariä Himmelfahrt. Apart from conducting the VA, participants had a chance to participate in discussions concerning security concepts and evaluation of the SPIRIT VA process as of yet.

Vulnerability Assessment Workshop in Thessaloniki, 13-14 June, 2023

The first workshop was hosted by the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki (JCT). The activities aimed at applying Vulnerability Assessment Techniques and tools on the selected site of religious significance, to assess the site, define threats and potential vulnerabilities. The workshops also intend to assess existing Vulnerability Assessment Tools and Methodologies and adapt them to the needs of Places of Worship. For this particular workshop, the activities concerned the Holocaust Museum of Greece. The HMG is scheduled to be developed in the western part of the city in a very symbolic area, outside the city centre, close to the Old Train Station, which was the place that the Jews of Thessaloniki were deported to the Nazi concentration camps.

It will function as a Museum and an Educational/ Research Center. This immense project aims to commemorate the Jewish life in Greece destroyed by the Holocaust, celebrate the 2.000 year Jewish presence in the region, inspire future generations to learn the lessons of the past and shape a better future without antisemitism and hatred.

As the construction of the Museum has not started yet, the members of the consortium conducted the VA based on the architectural designs of the building and provided useful and constructive insights regarding the security by design aspect of the project.  

Vulnerability Assessment Workshop in Athens,
15-16 June, 2023

For the second consecutive workshop of SPIRIT, consortium partners and external stakeholders gathered in Vouliagmeni. The workshop was hosted by the Holy Metropolis of Glyfada (IMGL). The activities aimed at applying Vulnerability Assessment Techniques and tools on the selected site of religious significance, to assess the site, define threats and potential vulnerabilities. The workshops also intend to assess existing Vulnerability Assessment Tools and Methodologies and adapt them to the needs of Places of Worship, developing an Enhanced Vulnerability Assessment Methodology. The Place of Worship around which the workshop revolved, is the Holy Church of Our Lady Theotokos “Faneromeni”. The Church was inaugurated in 2008 and was built by the benefactors Mrs. Marina and Mr Athanasios Martinos. It is located in Vouliagmeni, a south-east suburb of Athens, also known as the Athenian Riviera, alongside Voula and Varkiza. The area attracts many locals and tourists from abroad, becoming particularly lively and populated during the summer season. The architecture of the church combines traditional and modern elements of Greek temple structure. The PoW consists of the main church with the bell tower, and a Venue Hall. The Holy Church of Faneromeni is considered of high religious and cultural value, being offered for ordinary masses as well as special religious functions and celebrations (weddings, christenings, major religious celebrations etc.).