FLARE is a network of 38 civil society organizations and NGOs across 25 countries that works to fight organized crime through communication, youth programs, supporting victims' families, and cultural events. It operates offices in Turin, Brussels, Nis, Kiev, and Paris. FLARE promotes laws and policies like Italy's Law 109 from 1995 that allows confiscated criminal assets to be reused for social purposes. FLARE has also campaigned for a "Season of Legality" to raise awareness about fighting organized crime through legal reforms and public events in 20 countries. Currently, FLARE is collecting signatures against corruption and plans to participate in a European Citizens' Initiative in 2012.

1. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime September 24 th 2011

2. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime FLARE Freedom Legality And Rights in Europe Network of associations and NGOs 38 members in 25 Countries Objective : social fight against organised crime

3. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime FLARE structure Central office: Turin, Italy Delegation in Brussels, Belgium Regional desks : Ni ş, Serbia (Balkans) Kyiv, Ukraine (EE) Paris, France (WE)

4. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime Core activities Communication : -> Media observatory -> BRIGHT (www.brightmag.org) -> Media education Youth : -> FLARE21 platform -> Trainings and exchanges

5. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime Core activities Memory : -> Networking of relatives of victims -> Awareness-raising Cultural events : -> OLE (www.ole2011.org) -> Conferences and seminars

6. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime Organised crime

7. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime Organised crime -> is a transnational business -> operates well beyond “traditional” areas -> is a huge economic force

8. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime Waste -> Strict norms on disposal; High cost -> OC offers themselves as “brokers” -> Waste disposed of illegally -> Value: EUR 22,000,000 / year

9. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime Amphetamines -> Produced in Bulgaria -> Sold and consumed in South Africa -> Money recycled through Hungary -> Controlled by Russians -> Value: ???

10. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime Czech Republic -> Drugs -> Human trafficking -> Cybercrime -> Corruption (a tool)

11. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime What do we do?

12. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime The Law 109/1995 -> Promoted by Libera in 1995 -> 1 million signatures -> Law 109 -> confiscation of criminal assets -> re-use for social purposes

13. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime The Law 109: results -> Over 9,000 confiscations -> 60% assigned -> Libera Terra cooperatives: Cultivate confiscated farmlands Produce organic food Create job opportunities

14. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime Season of Legality -> Awareness-raising campaigns -> March to May 2009 -> Public events -> 20 Countries involved

15. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime SoL : results -> Germany included the concept in its reform of the law on confiscation -> Serbia introduced similar legislation and created a National Agency -> The EP included the concept in its 2009 Recommendations -> The European Commission is writing an EU Directive that will include it

16. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime The present -> Libera collecting signatures against corruption And in 2012... -> The E.C.I.!

17. The role of civil society in the fight against organised crime -> Share ideas and good practices -> Network -> Watchdog -> Collaborate with institutions

18. Thank you! http://flarenetwork.org