Project Results

PR1

Management and
​coordination of the action
DESCRIPTION
Project management activities include all the necessary administrative steps to ensure quality, coherence and accountability to program regulations, contractual obligations, project goals, fulfilment of milestones and deadlines (including reporting to the European Commission).
ACTIVITIES
T1.1 Develop the project's
​management methodology
As project coordinator, VSC will guarantee the effective implementation of REUNION, its objectives, and its activities. This task incorporates elaborating a Project Manual (PM), which will secure the quality of the work developed, assure the organisation of technical details, and will function as a valuable tool to supervise the project partners' engagement and proper realisation of their respective tasks and activities, namely the deliverables. The PM will also include a Gender-Equality Plan.
T1.2 Project Meetings
Project Meetings permit the organisation of the partnership work regarding the designed tasks and offer the possibility for consortium partners to communicate successfully and exchange information on the foreseen activities of the project. These meetings will take place as follows: 1st PM: Venice, Italy (M1) – organised by VCS; 2nd PM: virtual (M6) – hosted by UL; 3rd PM: Bucharest, Romania (M9) – hosted by ESC; 4th PM: Bremen, Germany (M15) – hosted by HfÖV; 5th PM: virtual (M20) – hosted by NSJPP; 6th PM: Lisbon, Portugal (M24) – hosted by IPS.
T1.3 Administrative and
​Financial management
As project coordinator, VSC will be responsible for the administrative management, comprising all communications between the partnership and other entities associated, and the financial management of all project activities. Under this task, VSC will guarantee the fluid development of the project by ensuring uninterrupted contact with the administrative and financial monitoring staff of all project partners. The project coordinator will also elaborate a template for the management reports and cost statements that will be shared with all project partners and then filled in by the chosen contact person every 6 months, on which the mid-term Project Evaluation report and the Final Evaluation report will be based. This task also incorporates producing and submitting a Progress and Final Evaluation Report for EC submission.

PR2

EU-research on the effective implementation
​of Framework Decision 2008/909
DESCRIPTION
First project objective - to establish the preliminary work for supporting judges, prosecutors, lawyers and prison staff adequately when working with cross-border execution of judgements involving the deprivation of liberty, more specifically, when dealing with Framework Decision 2008/909 in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829. Channels for the distribution of the surveys will be the existing database owned by the partners, MailChimp and the support of CEP, EUROPRIS and EJN, in addition to national authorities.
ACTIVITIES
T2.1 EU surveys conduction
These surveys will encompass questions regarding judges’ and prosecutors’ and lawyers’ and prison staff’ training needs regarding the coherent application of FD 909 to promote inmate rehabilitation. An EU survey will be carried out with this same target group, with at least 7 participants from 15 Member States, totalling 105 participants in both surveys.
T2.1.1.
​EU-surveys for Judges and prosecutors on Framework Decision 2008/909, in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829
The first survey will touch on the following topics:
•  Level of Knowledge of Framework Decision 2008/909 and of this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829; 
          •  Initiation of procedure of forwarding the sentence to another EU MS; 
          •  Sentence execution and implementation modalities;

​• Training received in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters
          •  Rehabilitation process & the most important factors in deciding about forwarding the judgement; 
          •  Sentence execution and implementation modalities; 
          •  Procedural status & refusals due to potential violation of Human and procedural Rights;
          •  Perceptions and practices surrounding the principle of mutual trust and recognition, namely as a ground for refusal;
​
•  Level of awareness of Framework Decision 2008/909 at the national level, in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829; 
​
•  Experienced difficulties in working with the Framework Decision 2008/909 and with this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829. ​  ​
T2.1.2.
​EU-survey for lawyers, court, prosecutors, and prison staff on Framework Decision 2008/909, in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829.
The second survey will touch on the following topics:
•  Level of Knowledge of Framework Decision 2008/909 and of this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829; 
          •  Initiation of procedure of forwarding the sentence to another EU MS; 
          •  Training received in the area of judicial cooperation in criminal matters;
​
•  Level of awareness of Framework Decision 2008/909 at the national level, in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829; 
​
•  Experienced difficulties in working with the Framework Decision 2008/909 and with this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829. ​  ​
T2.2 Focus groups for solutions mapping toward offender rehabilitation
The 6 groups will take the form of co-creative laboratories for the exchange of ideas and practices; national focus groups will be carried out for the identification of solutions for a more coherent implementation of Framework Decision 2008/909 and of this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829. Judges, prosecutors, lawyers but also court and prosecution offices' and prison staff will take part in the focus groups (6 per event). The focus groups are to cover, inter alia, the following dimensions:
​ •   Detention conditions as an obstacle to mutual trust; 
 •   Notions of social rehabilitation in the different partner countries; 
 •   Concrete experiences with Framework Decision 2008/909 operationalisation, namely in matters of continuation of enforcement of sentences; 
 •   Promotion of procedural rights in cross-border cases, specifically within the usage of Framework Decision 2008/909 in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829.

In addition to the research on FD 2008/909, VSC, AGF, and HFOV will organise additional Focus Groups in Trieste and Bremen, also involving Slovenia, Austria, and Croatia, dedicated to FD 2008/947 and FD 2009/829 in cooperation with the district prosecutor office and Eurojust. This will take advantage of the synergies and complementary activities being carried out in other projects in which the partners are involved, such as J-CAP, PRE-AND-POST and VR-DIGIJUST. This coordination part will be under the responsibility of VSC, AGF (Italy, Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia) and HFOV (Germany). The scope of cooperation with other projects is subject to prior approval by the respective consortium members of each project.

PR3

Promoting ‘Advances’:
​Mutual learning cross-ambience scenarios
DESCRIPTION
​Second project objective – contribute to originating and broadening knowledge between the target group, alongside the translation and production of learning materials and the organisation of cross-border training activities.
ACTIVITIES
T3.1 Permanent expert
observatory for training
​monitoring
​To assess, validate and monitor the training offers of the REUNION project, a permanent Expert Observatory appointed by the VSC will be set up (5 members). An open call will be launched by the partners, who will therefore mobilise their experienced and knowledgeable network to compose REUNION’s permanent expert observatory. The observatory will do the follow-up on the partnership’s training offers design and offer guidance; engage trainees in REUNION’s training offers; monitor and advise in the partnership’s training implementation. The permanent expert observatory will meet periodically (virtually) every 4 months, gathering in online meetings with partnership representatives to offer feedback and guidance to the REUNION project. The REUNION Observatory will be coordinated with the PRE-AND-POST Observatory under AGF resAGF’ssibility. Therefore, the number of members will be extended with a team of experts covering all FDs.
T3.2 Update and production
​of learning materials
​Under this task, the partnership will be dedicated to identifying and translating pre-existing materials regarding Framework Decision 2008/909, in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829. They will be available on REUNION’s official website.
T3.2.1.
​Translation of pre-existing
​materials and manuals
​REUNION’s task leader will guide partners who will be in charge of translating pre-existing materials and manuals regarding Framework Decision 2008/909, in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829 so that the project can aggregate the most information possible on the transfer of prisoners. E.g., the Project “Social reintegration of sentenced persons: a comprehensive approach” with 5 seminars and 1 international conference on Framework Decision 2008/909, and on this instrument’s relationship with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829, having several documents related to the events only in Romanian.
T3.2.2.
​Thematic database of
​jurisprudence
​Following a thorough screening of pertinent case-law related to Framework Decision 2008/909 and to this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829, one thematic database of jurisprudence will be created. It is available on the project’s website.
T3.2.3.
​Case-law workbook
This task will provide judges, prosecutors, and lawyers with a comprehensive collection of CJEU's and fictitious cases referring to Framework Decision 2008/909, in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829, especially concerning the breach of fundamental rights and rehabilitation processes while offering possible legal solutions.
T3.3
​Cross-ambience working
​group events
​The following activities encompass an international event and a report derived from it.
T3.3.1.
​Cross-ambience working
​group seminars
​Launching the project’s training initiatives, a set of 2-day 4 working group seminars will be implemented to promote knowledge acquirement and mutual learning on the usage of Framework Decision 2008/909 and of this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829. They will count on the presence of judges and prosecutors, lawyers, and prison staff, totalling 15 participants per event (plus 2 staff representatives from each partner country).

​Among other topics, the working group seminars will cover Procedural rights of inmates and the Stockholm Roadmap; Rehabilitation in sensitive cases (specific groups such as radicalised inmates, those suffering from mental health or addictions, or generally groups with special needs); Considering and measuring rehabilitation prospects; The concept of “crimmigration” and associated issues; Recommendations and transferable working methods in partner countries. The working group seminars will take place as follows: 1st WGS – Baia Mara, Romania, hosted by BMP (M9); 2nd WGS – Venice, Italy, hosted by VSC (M11); 3rd WGS – Warsaw, Poland, hosted by NSJPP (M13); 4th WGS – Bremen, Germany, hosted by HfÖV (M15).
T3.3.2.
​Cross-ambience working
​group seminars report
​Considering the most significant problematics and proposed recommendations and solutions from the above-mentioned materials (T3.1), the project will create an updated practical manual on how to best execute Framework Decision 2008/909, and this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829. This manual will include theoretical sections but mainly practical and handy sections for judges, prosecutors, lawyers, and those who are also involved in the transfer of prisoners, such as courts and prison staff.
T3.4
​Final Internation Conference
Closing up the project’s rounds of mutual-learning activities and workshops, the partnership will implement the project’s final conference to maximise the number of professionals reached by the project's initiatives and materials) through a final international event. This will be the ideal moment to present the main results of the project's previous actions regarding research, international events, and capacity-building initiatives concerning Framework Decision 2008/909, in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829.

More concretely, the conference will address the 2 survey results, discussions and conclusions from the focus groups, the cross-ambience working group seminars and the e-learning course's results.

​This international conference will, consequently, contribute to the broader goals of REUNION, namely improving the judicial authorities, lawyers, courts, prosecution offices and prison staff's various needs and obstacles when working with Framework Decision 2008/909 and with this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829; broadening awareness of the Framework Decision 2008/909 and its main goal: rehabilitation; secure a more in-depth knowledge of Framework Decision 2008/909 a more frequent use of it, and of this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829. It will count with 70 participants in total, 40 funded, and will be held in Lisbon.

PR4

Addressing ‘Challenges’: Training programme “Convergence of practices towards a fluid implementation of Framework Decision 2008/909/JHA at EU-level”
DESCRIPTION
​Third project objective – create distance-based and sustainable training programmes on the effective application of Framework Decision 2008/909 and of this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829, and facilitate the cooperation between practitioners at EU-level.
ACTIVITIES
T4.1
​Train-the-Trainer course for
​sustainability
​This task entails the conceptualisation and implementation of the train-the-trainer training course (ToT) in order to guarantee the long-term sustainability and replicability of the project’s intervention. To this end, the partnership will build upon the ToTs previously developed by other JUST projects, adapting the training content to a new target group audience and advanced tech. The ToT will be piloted by at least 10 learners from each partner country (totalling 80 participants).
T4.2
​E-learning course on effective
application of Framework 
Decision 2008/909 in 
reference with Framework
2008/947 and Framework
​Decision 2009/829
Building on previous materials, as noted in previous sections, the e-learning course will also take advantage of the Commission’s Handbook on Framework Decision 2008/909 and will be structured as follows: M1. What is Framework Decision 2008/909 in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829? (for surveillance judges, prosecutors, lawyers and prison staff at local and central levels) – 1) Special needs of foreign inmates and particularly vulnerable groups; 2) Potential of Framework Decision 2008/909 in the scope of mutual recognition instruments; 3) Core characteristics & refusal grounds.

M2. Operationalisation of Framework Decision 2008/909 (for prison staff, lawyers and staff of the MoJ at local and central level judges, and prosecutors). 1) Cooperation among Member States using the Framework Decision 2008/909 – bureaucratic proceedings, certificates filling and finding competent authorities; 2) Handling operational procedures by resorting to EU legal technological platforms; 3) Continuation of enforcement and handling sentence modalities;

M3. (Cautious) Mutual trust (for judges, surveillance judges and lawyers). 1) Limits to mutual trust and mutual recognition under CJEU rulings; 2) Tools for assessing inhumane or degrading treatment or Rule of Law breaches, namely through ECtHR and CJEU rulings; 3) Case-law on Framework Decision 2008/909 in the involved partner countries;

​M4. Framework Decision 2008/909 from the individual point of view (for lawyers, ombudsmen, surveillance judges, and judges) 1) Procedural rights for the inmate and ensuring respect for the procedural rights Directives; 2) Importance of consent for rehabilitation prospects; 3) Rehabilitation assessment and evaluation on a case-by-case basis. The course will cover the needs of judicial practitioners, lawyers but also surveillance judges and prison staff. It will be piloted by at least 15 learners in each partner country.
T4.3
​Training evaluation for 
​sustainability
To assess the success of REUNION’s training offers, the partnership will design an evaluation framework and plan to be applied after all training events and at the closure of the e-Learning and ToT courses. Modules will be accessible for all eligible participants without restrictions. A gender balance will be granted with automatic calculation provided by the HERMES platform.
 
In addition, under IPS’ leadership, AGF, HFOV and VSC will exploit results from the project VR-DIGIJUST and other EU-funded projects to complement IPS’ work and support the creation of additional b-Learning training courses, combining classroom lessons and immersive solutions via VR or 360º technologies with interactive 3D objects, on the effective application of the abovementioned Framework Decisions. 

PR5

Dissemination and sustainability
​DESCRIPTION
Contribute to closer interactions between practitioners from different national legal systems and increase mutual trust while contributing to enhancing the Framework Decision 2008/909, and on this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829. 
​ACTIVITIES
T5.1
​Dissemination, mainstreaming
​and exploitation strategy plan
A thorough dissemination, mainstreaming and exploitation strategy plan will be developed aiming at the project’s sustainability and mainstreaming throughout its life course.
T5.2
​Dissemination toolkit
​REUNION’s official website and visual identity kit (i.e., project logo and templates – Word, Excel, PowerPoint) will be developed within the first three months of the project’s implementation.
T5.3
​Four e-Zines
​Four e-Zines will be designed and disseminated during the life span of the project (approx. 5-month periodicity) to reach out to a broader stakeholder base of the project. These will be translated into every project partner’s language by the project partners. The magazines will present the latest information on the project's activities and noticeable results, openly underlying the achievement of milestones and deliverables.
T5.4
​Justice Trends Booklet
The project’s Consortium will reach out to JUSTICE TRENDS (JT) Magazine. REUNION’s WP5 leader (IPS) premium publication in the field of justice, will be a significant dissemination vehicle. Relevant information regarding the project (i.e., its partnership, objectives, events and expected outcomes/results) will be a feature across one JT booklet foreseen to be published throughout REUNION’s lifespan. More concretely, the booklet will be fully dedicated to the project focus and scope.

​To complement this, interviews with experts will be conducted and regard relevant topics concerning Framework Decision 2008/909, and this instrument in reference with Framework Decision 2008/947 and Framework Decision 2009/829. Furthermore, such publication of JT will count with 2000 printouts which will be sent to Ministries of Justice, National Courts, General Directorates of Prison and Probation Services, Law firms, lawyers’ training institutions, law faculties, penitentiary administrations and other relevant research centres.
This project is funded by the Justice Programme. This website has been accomplished in the scope of the project “Rehabilitation of foreign inmate within the scope of FD 2008/909/JHA " (REUNION), Grant Agreement no. 101090118, implemented with the financial support of the European Commission by the Justice Programme. 
This website reflects the views only of the author, hence neither the Portuguese National Agency nor the European Commission can be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.