BRIDGE Project Kicks Off!
The BRIDGE project was officially launched on Thursday, 30 October 2025, with a kick-off meeting held in Brussels. The event took place at the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union and brought together representatives from the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Latvia, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, and the European Commission (SG REFORM and DG JUST). This new project offers a great opportunity to strengthen victim support frameworks in both countries, addressing systemic gaps and improving the efficiency and quality of services provided to all victims of crime.
Opening the meeting, Mr. Antonio De Martin, Director for Growth, Innovation, and Knowledge Management at Victim Support Europe and Project Director for BRIDGE, welcomed participants and reflected on the year-and-a-half journey that led to the project’s launch—one that involved constant engagement with the ministries and other key actors in Lithuania and Latvia. He then gave the floor to Mr. Tomas Gražiūnas and Mr. Levent Altan for their introductory remarks.
Mr. Gražiūnas, Head of Administration of the Lithuanian Permanent Representation to the EU, highlighted the importance of the BRIDGE project in the context of the upcoming Lithuanian presidency of the Council of the EU in 2027, praising its strong transnational and collaborative dimension. 
Mr. Altan, Executive Director of Victim Support Europe, emphasised the importance of BRIDGE in promoting evidence-based policymaking and helping transform our understanding of crime and its impact. Furthermore, he underlined that BRIDGE is part of VSE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen victim support systems, an effort carried out also through other projects such as IMPACT and INVICTUS.
Mr. De Martin then welcomed the representatives of the national authorities and invited them to say a few words.
Ms. Rita Grigalienė, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, described BRIDGE as a unique opportunity to ensure effective, comprehensive and victim-centred support. While significant progress has been made in supporting victims over the last decade, several challenges remain: limited accessibility, fragmented services and insufficient cooperation between different authorities and stakeholders.
Ms. Kristīne Pommere, Deputy State Secretary on Foreign Cooperation and Strategy Issues of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Latvia, confirmed that reforming the victim support framework remains a government priority. She also noted that the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) is an essential tool to tackle complex challenges that cannot be addressed in isolation, making transnational cooperation key.
On behalf of the European Commission, Ms. Aleksandra Marchewka Dias Chiappetta, Policy Officer at SG REFORM, provided an overview of the TSI, emphasising its strategic role in supporting reforms aligned with EU and national priorities. She then welcomed the commitment of both states to advancing victims’ rights and highlighted that the TSI offers tailored expertise from across Europe to help implement reforms. BRIDGE was successful in securing funding as it focuses on strategic requests from Member States that are closely linked to both national and European priorities.
Ms. Marieta Tosheva, Policy and Legal Officer from the Commission’s Victims’ Rights Office at DG JUST, outlined ongoing EU-level developments, including the revision of the Victims’ Rights Directive and the re-launch of the “Keep Your Eyes Open” campaign, aimed at fostering empathy and solidarity with victims of crime.
Dr. Diletta Marchesi, Project Officer at Victim Support Europe and Project Coordinator of BRIDGE, then provided an overview of the project, including its rationale, objectives, methodology and risks, giving all participants with a clear sense of how the project will unfold. 
During the final part of the meeting, an interactive workshop invited Lithuanian and Latvian representatives to identify the main focus areas of the project and potential national risks. Discussions centred on barriers to reporting, recognising signs of victimisation, and developing effective referral mechanisms. Participants also pointed to system fragmentation and the need for better coordination among relevant stakeholders. Lastly, delegates acknowledged potential risks to the project’s future—namely political changes and limited resources—but reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining engagement and continuity.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue exchanging insights in the months ahead, marking a strong and collaborative start for this important project.
