OBJECTIVE 2: Prevent terrorism and address radicalisation and recruitment The threat from terrorism remains significant and is constantly evolving16. Terrorist organisations adapt and innovate, as demonstrated by the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the attempted attack on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day 2009 and plots uncovered recently affecting several Member States. Threats now come both from organised terrorists and from so-called 'lone wolves', who may have developed their radical beliefs on the basis of extremist propaganda and found training materials on the internet. Our efforts to combat terrorism need to evolve to stay ahead of the threat with a coherent European approach including preventive action17. Furthermore, the EU should continue to designate critical infrastructure and put in place plans to protect those assets, including transport services and energy generation and transmission, which are essential to the functioning of society and the economy.18 Member States have the primary role in delivering on this objective through coordinated and effective efforts, with the full support of the Commission, and assisted by the EU CounterTerrorism Coordinator. Action 1: Empower communities to prevent radicalisation and recruitment Radicalisation which can lead to acts of terrorism is best contained at a level closest to the most susceptible individuals in the most affected communities. It requires close cooperation with local authorities and civil society and empowering key groups in vulnerable communities. The core of the action on radicalisation and recruitment is - and should remain at national level. Several Member States are developing work streams in this area, and certain cities within the EU have developed local community-based approaches and prevention policies. These initiatives have often been successful and the Commission will continue to assist in facilitating the sharing of such experiences19. Firstly, by 2011, and in partnership with the Committee of the Regions, the Commission will promote the creation of an EU radicalisation-awareness network, supported by an online forum and EU-wide conferences, to pool experiences, knowledge and good practices to enhance awareness of radicalisation and communication techniques for challenging terrorist narratives. This network will consist of policy makers, law enforcement and security officials, prosecutors, local authorities, academics, field experts and civil society organisations, including victims groups. Member States should use ideas generated through the network to create physical and virtual community spaces for open debates which encourage credible role 16 17 18 19 EN For the latest figures, see Europol's 2010 Terrorism Situation and Trend (TESAT) Report. EU Counter-Terrorism Strategy Doc. 14469/4/05 of November 2005 sets out a four-fold approach consisting of Prevent, Protect, Pursue and Respond. For a more detailed discussion, see 'The EU Counter-Terrorism Policy: main achievements and future challenges' - COM(2010) 386. Directive on European Critical Infrastructures (2008/114/EC), part of the wider European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection, whose scope extends beyond protection against terrorist threats. As part of the EU strategy for combating radicalisation and recruitment to terrorism (CS/2008/15175) the Commission has supported research and the establishment of the European Network of Experts on Radicalisation to study the phenomenon of radicalisation and recruitment, Member State-led projects on for example community policing, communication and radicalisation in prisons, and provided around € 5m for projects on behalf of victims and supports the network of associations of victims of terrorism. 7 EN