Prism

PRISM – Preventing drug market-related violence and other harms through Innovative Strategies at the Municipal level – addresses the escalating violence, intimidation and social harms linked to drug markets across European cities. Such violence undermines urban safety, erodes community trust and weakens democratic governance, while local authorities often lack the evidence, coordination tools and skills to respond effectively.

PRISM unites a multidisciplinary consortium of municipalities, police forces, universities, ethics experts, a leading technology company, policymakers and civil society organisations to co-create practical, ethical and transferable solutions that strengthen prevention, resilience and social cohesion. It integrates cutting-edge research, digital innovation and capacity building into a coherent, city-driven approach.

It will deliver: (1) the first comparative European evidence base on how drug markets generate violence and other harms; (2) the European Typology of Drug Market-Related Violence and Other Harms and a Catalogue of Promising Local Responses, mapping social, institutional and territorial drivers of violence and identifying effective prevention and harm-reduction practices; (3) the PRISM LENS, a participatory, ethical and data-driven digital tool that enhances multi-agency coordination and early warning; (4) a European e-Learning Platform and Training Portfolio improving the skills and capacities of local authorities, police and frontline actors; (5) pilot testing in Barcelona, Brussels, Lisbon and Montpellier; (6) an awareness campaign fostering public trust and transparent communication; and (7) a Local Impact Fund providing cascade funding to smaller municipalities and NGOs to replicate effective strategies.

It will empower European cities with the knowledge, tools and capacities to anticipate, prevent and respond to drug market-related violence and harms—advancing Horizon Europe’s mission to better protect citizens.