Reparation, Participation, and Justice for Victims: The VicTory Project’s Kick-off Meeting

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Published: 03/04/2025

Due to the growing polarisation and normalisation of hate, those impacted by it often face difficulties in coming forward to receive the needed reparation and compensation. In response, the EU has recognised how victims should be empowered and have their rights enhanced and validated. The VicTory project was envisioned to attend to these necessities and aims to ensure the effective and coherent implementation of legislation and practices that protect the rights of victims of hate and (violent) extremism incidents. Additionally, the project will work to enhance the capacities and cooperation between key practitioners in the field, this way, promoting victims’ adequate support and avoiding secondary victimisation.
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VicTory ‘Restorative and victim-centred approach to mitigate hate and (violent) extremism’, a project financed by the Just programme, led by Fundación EuroÁrabe de Altos Estudios (FUNDEA), in collaboration with IPS_Innovative Prison Systems, Faculdade de Direito da Universidade do Porto, Ararteko, Associazione Carcere e Territorio, Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Map Finland and ILGA Portugal, held the project’s kick-off meeting in November of 2024, in Granada.  This key first milestone allowed to establish  priorities,  laying the foundation for a strong and unified approach, ensuring that the project remains focused and impactful throughout its 24-month lifespan.  
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Next Steps
The next steps for the project include:

• The development of a Handbook on good practices around supporting victims of hate and (violent) extremism incidents
• Two co-joint panels on victims’ rights, anticipated to gather 60 practitioners from civil society and criminal justice settings to delve into victims and practitioners needs
• A victim-Centred Key Information Repository, which  will allow victims to access information on who to contact and where to reach for support.

​Moreover, the next in-person event, the Cross-Country VicTory Cooperation Seminar, is expected to take place in Bilbao in November of 2025!