PSF 2019 Call

In 2019 CBSS Project Support Facility call for projects focuses on the CBSS long-term priority ‘Safe and Secure Region’. The ultimate goal of this priority is to make everyone feel safe and secure in every corner of our region. This can be achieved by strengthening the civil security and protection systems in the countries in the region, and by doing so in a coherent way – through cooperation. 

The proposals responding to this call should refer to the societal security paradigm, which covers prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery to all sorts of threats, regardless of whether their origin is natural or man-made disasters or intentional human actions including exploitation. This concept promotes a comprehensive and coherent approach to reduce trans-boundary vulnerabilities and to build common capabilities for societal security and safety in the Baltic Sea Region. This holistic approach allows for addressing a broad spectre of challenges, from civil protection to prevention of criminal exploitation and trafficking in human beings, as well as combating organised and serious crime. Making the Baltic Sea Region a more safe and secure region is a complex endeavour that aims to develop a more resilient society and implement resilience at all levels of social organisation. 

The prioritised areas put forward in the Joint Position on Enhanced Cooperation in the Civil Protection Area, adopted by the Directors General for Civil Protection in the Baltic Sea Region (May 2017), is a  guide for proposals related to societal security. The Oslo Conclusions on identifying children at risk of exploitation and trafficking is another reference document.

Especially important are contributions that encourage building a common societal security culture in the BSR, by engaging civil society, in particular, volunteer organizations, children/youth, or senior citizens. Special emphasis should be put on people-to-people contacts, exchange of best practices and awareness raising for common attitudes to major threats and hazards as well as to situations of exploitation. Additionally, innovative solutions to common societal security challenges contribute to this objective. The way to achieve this is through the facilitation of cross-disciplinary and multi-level exchange of knowledge and experiences on societal security/safety issues. 

Recognising the complexity of risk perception in relation to building resilience is also highly relevant. Attention should be paid to improving the individual citizen’s resilience to different types of hazards and risks in society including exploitation, with special attention to vulnerable groups. Related to this is also the alignment of the perception of risks with real-world threats and supporting the policy level in decision making by providing evidence-based information. Proposals contributing towards awareness raising of climate change risks and creating evidence-based awareness campaigns tailor-made to different groups in society are also encouraged.

Initiatives strengthening, building upon and improving current anti-trafficking policies, preventive and protective work in the Baltic Sea region through a coherent and multidisciplinary approach as well as promoting the understanding of relevant aspects of the trafficking industry and disseminating the information gathered about the role and modus operandi of perpetrators, victims, their rights etc. are encouraged. 

More information from CBSS Expert Group on Children at Risk Unit here.

More information from CBSS Task Force against Trafficking in Human beings here.

NOTE! The Application form will be available on the PSF webpage in the beginning of February 2019.