“Act2Protect”: Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and the Promotion of Safer and More Inclusive Nightlife Spaces (EU CERV-Daphne Programme)

The project “Act2Protect” aims to mobilise young people, professionals, and the general public to recognise, respect, and respond in order to prevent sexual and gender-based violence in festivals and nightlife venues. “Act2Protect” is part of the European Union’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV), under the call for proposals to prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence against children (CERV-DAPHNE).

The initiative seeks to actively prevent sexual and gender-based violence by creating safer and more inclusive nightlife, music, and festival spaces. “Act2Protect” focuses on young people—particularly women and the LGBTIQA+ community—on nightlife and event management professionals, and on the general public. At its core, the project promotes a culture of consent and desire, as well as safety and mutual respect in nightlife environments.

This project brings together six organisations from four EU countries: Spolecnost Podane Ruce OPS (Czech Republic), Obcianske Zdruzenie Prima and Trojlístok, n.o. (Slovakia), Associaçao Kosmicare (Portugal), the European Institute for Studies on Prevention, and the FSC (Spain). The initiative builds on the project “SexismFreeNight” (EU REC Programme, 2020–2021), which addressed sexualised violence in nightlife settings and in which the FSC, through the Noctambul@s Observatory, also participated as a partner leading the project’s research. “Act2Protect” also involves the Noctambul@s Observatory in leading training and awareness-raising actions for nightlife stakeholders.

The project strengthens the FSC’s commitment to eradicating gender-based violence and contributes to the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025.

Participation in initiatives of this kind enables the FSC to project and scale the knowledge and experience accumulated by the organisation, positioning it on the international map and agenda. At the same time, it represents a strategic opportunity to incorporate proven improvements and innovations from similar countries. Ultimately, the aim is to move forward—through exchange, mutual learning, dialogue, and cooperation—towards a more just, sustainable, and equitable world.