European Strategies Consulting

What if prisons could become places where sustainability meets second chances?
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming webinar: “From Custody to Green Skills: Sustainability Pathways in European Prisons”
📅 April 14th
⏰ 12:00 – 13:15 CET

This session will introduce the GreenPP project – an innovative European initiative working to:
✔️ promote sustainable practices in prisons
✔️ equip individuals with green skills for reintegration
✔️ build bridges between correctional systems and the green labour market

You’ll also get a first look at insights from the European Mapping of Green Practices in prisons 🌍
💡 Whether you work in justice, education, policy, or sustainability — this conversation matters.

👉 Save your spot here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=e0Gnjsdm6UmH7Bi33FRncunrlmSZJkNBlLlMdYtAdi5UQU5HQlpYWTNaVVJNSjVQQjhBU1NKSlE1SC4u&route=shorturl

Let’s rethink rehabilitation. Let’s build greener futures. ♻️

From 24–26 February, our team at European Strategies Consulting participated in the Social Bugs Project Training of Trainers — and we’re coming back with fresh ideas and new perspectives.

The training was hosted at Aproximar’s headquarters in Lisbon, and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Aproximar team for their excellent organization and warm hospitality.

During these three days, we worked on topics that are essential for anyone building a social venture:
🧠 Understanding real Product–Market Fit
⚖️ Making decisions in uncertain environments
🌍 Creating sustainable impact through social entrepreneurship

One of the most interesting discussions revolved around innovation in the edible insect sector — a field that challenges assumptions, consumer perceptions, and traditional business models.

Grateful for the learning, the exchange of ideas, and the inspiring conversations. Now it’s time to put everything into practice!

In probation work, technical knowledge alone is not enough. Real impact comes from how professionals build relationships, guide behaviour, and manage difficult conversations.

Within Project VR, we focus on strengthening core correctional skills that shape daily supervision practice:
🔹 Working Alliance – building trust even in involuntary contexts, clarifying roles, repairing ruptures and aligning goals.
🔹 Prosocial Modelling – demonstrating respect, fairness and accountability in every interaction.
🔹 Problem Solving – helping clients move from impulsive reactions to structured, reflective decision-making.
🔹 Motivational Interviewing – working with ambivalence instead of confronting it.
🔹 Cognitive-Behavioural approaches – understanding how thoughts, emotions and behaviour interact in high-risk situations.

These skills are not abstract concepts. They influence how probation officers respond to resistance, manage breaches, reinforce positive behaviour, and support long-term desistance.
What makes the approach within Project VR particularly relevant is the integration of experiential learning — allowing professionals to practise micro-skills in realistic scenarios and reflect on their responses in a structured way.