The team from the University of Beira Interior (UBI), in collaboration with the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV), presented two scientific contributions developed within the COOPERHATE project at EUROCRIM 2026, held in Warsaw from 9 to 12 September.

The participation included Marta Alves and Ana Isabel Cunha, from UBI, who were the first authors of the works presented. The paper entitled “Barriers to Cooperation in Preventing and Addressing Hate-Related Incidents: Insights from Professionals in Portugal” examined the main barriers to cooperation in preventing and responding to hate-related incidents, based on 20 interviews with professionals from civil society organisations, law enforcement agencies, judicial actors and information technology companies. The poster, entitled “Building Bridges Against Hate: Multi-Sector Perspectives on Inter-Institutional Cooperation”, explored, through a focus group with representatives from different sectors, possible strategies to overcome obstacles and strengthen inter-institutional cooperation in preventing and responding to hate-related phenomena.

Participation in EUROCRIM 2026 provided an opportunity to share COOPERHATE’s findings internationally, strengthen dialogue between research and practice, and promote knowledge exchange with researchers and professionals from different contexts. Through this work, the project continues to contribute to translating knowledge about barriers to cooperation between different organisations into more coordinated, effective responses focused on preventing hate and protecting victims.