European Strategies Consulting

📍 Bucharest | 23–27 March 2026

The training “Developing Core Probation & Correctional Skills Through Practice and VR Scenarios” is in full swing, bringing together specialists from Romania and Croatia, representing both probation and prison systems, in a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.

🔹 Day 1 – Introduction & VR Foundations
The training started with an overview of objectives and expectations, followed by an exploration of how Virtual Reality (VR) can enhance professional skill development in probation and correctional work. Participants were introduced to both the strengths and limitations of VR-based practice and how these immersive scenarios can be effectively linked to real-life interventions.
The day continued with a hands-on technical session, where participants familiarized themselves with VR equipment, and a workbook-guided exercise focused on setting personal learning goals and preparing for the practice–VR–debrief learning cycle.

🔹 Day 2 – Prosocial Modelling in Practice
Today’s sessions focused on one of the core competencies in probation work: prosocial modelling. Participants explored how to identify and reinforce prosocial behaviour, as well as how to effectively confront antisocial behaviour using structured approaches.
A key highlight was the integration of VR scenarios, such as “Confronting with Care”, allowing participants to practice real-life interactions in a safe, controlled environment, followed by reflective debrief discussions.

💡 The combination of experiential learning, structured reflection, and innovative VR technology creates a powerful environment for developing essential skills in working with justice-involved individuals.

🤝 This training is implemented in partnership with European Strategies Consulting, bc becure, and the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation of the Republic of Croatia.

🇪🇺 Co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme.

We look forward to the next sessions. Stay tuned!

With J-CAP NEXT, the focus is on strengthening judicial cooperation in Europe through the upgrade of the European Probation Software (EPS 3.0) — supporting mutual recognition of probation measures and alternative sanctions across EU Member States

Why does this matter? Because when judicial systems communicate better:
✔️ Procedures become more efficient
✔️ Decisions are implemented faster
✔️ Cooperation becomes smoother
✔️ Fundamental rights are better protected

What’s interesting is that even the new visual identity reflects these values.
🟢 Green tones symbolise sustainability, growth and long-term collaboration
🔗 Interconnected shapes represent unity and seamless judicial workflows
⚖️ The continuity in design keeps the project rooted in its legacy, while clearly signalling evolution and innovation

This is not just a visual refresh.
It’s a statement about where European judicial cooperation is heading: more connected, more efficient, more future-oriented.

Digital tools don’t replace justice.
They help it work better.

Most security strategies focus on institutions. PARTESS-COM is doing something slightly different. 🌍
Instead of limiting protection to authorities or security experts, the project builds a model where communities and everyday citizens become part of the solution.

One of the key components? A digital platform and mobile app designed to:
🔎 Gather and organise existing security tools and best practices from across Europe
📚 Make them accessible in a clear, practical and user-friendly way
🤝 Connect religious communities, local authorities and experts
📲 Allow citizens to report security-relevant incidents around places of worship and schools

Why is this important? Because threats today don’t exist only in official reports. They evolve quickly, blur the line between online and offline spaces, and are often first noticed by people on the ground.

Security is no longer just reactive. It becomes participatory, structured and shared.
And maybe that’s exactly what today’s complex threat landscape requires.

Can prisons be part of the green transition? This is the question we’ve just started exploring in Romania through the GreenPP project.

Over the past weeks, we began examining green and sustainable practices across the Romanian prison system — a system that includes 45 correctional facilities and over 25,000 incarcerated people.

There is no dedicated national sustainability strategy for prisons yet. But green practices already exist.
🔋 Photovoltaic parks are being developed in several facilities
♻️ Selective waste collection is implemented nationwide
🌿 Prison gardens contribute to internal food supply
📚 Environmental education and green skills training programmes are running in multiple institutions

At the same time, prisons operate under real structural pressure:
🏢 Ageing infrastructure
👥 Overcrowding
⚙️ Limited operational flexibility

That’s why this examination matters. Because sustainability in detention settings is not just about reducing emissions.

We are currently mapping practices, identifying barriers, and looking at what could be scaled systemically.
This is only the beginning — but it already shows that green transition in prisons is not a theoretical discussion. It’s a practical opportunity!

From 24–26 February, our team at European Strategies Consulting will be in Lisbon participating in a Training of Trainers within the Social Bugs Project.

This ToT will explore essential topics for building sustainable social ventures, including: product–market fit, decision-making & risk management, and social entrepreneurship in the edible insect sector.

In today’s rapidly changing environment, launching a social venture requires more than a strong idea. It demands resilience, structured risk management, and a deep understanding of market realities.

We are looking forward to exchanging knowledge, strengthening our expertise, and bringing back valuable insights to support innovative and impact-driven initiatives!