Dylan Power
Monday, Dec. 23rd 2024
Project IMPACT: Kick-Off Meeting Launches Initiative to Strengthen Victims’ Rights Strategy in Estonia
The Estonian kick-off meeting for project IMPACT (Improving National Victim Support Frameworks in Estonia, Malta and Portugal) on November 8th, 2024 marked the beginning of a pivotal initiative to enhance support and protections for individuals affected by crime. The Estonian Ministry of Justice, the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs, Victim Support Europe and the European Commission’s DG REFORM invited national stakeholders to present the project and foster engagement in the project’s activities.
The primary objective of IMPACT is to strengthen Estonia, Malta, and Portugal’s framework for victims’ rights, ensuring better implementation of the Victims’ Rights Directive. The project consortium aims to assess current policies and identify gaps, enabling improvement in Estonia’s approach to victim support. 15 national experts were in attendance, including representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Social Insurance Board, Police and Border Guard and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
In addition to presenting the project and its aims, a workshop was held focusing on imminent actions to take, allowing participants to share their expertise and lay groundwork for the project’s success. Furthermore, this meeting provided the opportunity to reflect on the AREV (Advancing Rights of Estonian Victims’) project, which proved useful in gaining expertise to tackle the challenge of establishing a multi-agency, nationwide framework for victim support. IMPACT aims to build on the knowledge gained during the implementation of AREV and expand the tools and solutions that were developed on the national level.
The kick-off meeting set a collaborative tone, with all parties agreeing to work together towards a more just and supportive environment for all victims. The project’s successful implementation will contribute significantly to improving Estonia’s legal and social infrastructure, ensuring that victims receive the care, recognition, and justice they deserve.
