On the 28 th of November, CoPPer team members Ute Krenzer and Katharina Swirak presented the work of CoPPer to 60 social work students at University College Cork. This cohort of students is the second cohort only of the so called ‘social work apprenticeship’ programme- the first of its kind in the Republic of Ireland. As part of this training model, students study for their social work qualification, while at the same time being trained on the job during their two years of s

As part of CoPPer’s awareness raising, Irish CoPPer team members Gerry McNally, Ute Krenzer and Katharina Swirak, presented to BA Criminology students for 2 hours the work of the CoPPer project. The event took place on the 29 th  of September at University College Cork and approximately 40 students were in attendance. The presentation and lively discussions focused on the development of the CoPPer project, the findings of the evidence review and the development of the trainin

The event "Volunteering in Justice: New areas of intervention", organized by Aproximar and DGRSP, on October 17th, had around 60 participants and brought together institutional representatives, organizations and volunteers to reflect on the future of volunteering in the Portuguese justice system. The Copper initiative presented its main results, including an international blueprint and training programs that strengthen skills and promote more humane and effective collaboratio

On 25 November, European Strategies Consulting held a second online multiplier event, this time addressed to probation officers from across Romania. The session brought together practitioners from county probation services and the National Directorate of Probation, creating a shared space to discuss how volunteering could be integrated into everyday probation practice. The discussion focused on the CoPPer project, its approach to structured volunteering, and the practical rea

On 24 October, European Strategies Consulting hosted an online multiplier event dedicated to students interested in volunteering in probation. The session brought together a highly engaged group curious about justice work, community support, and rehabilitation. Through short presentations, interactive polls, and open discussion, participants explored what volunteering in probation involves, how it complements the work of probation services, and what a realistic volunteer role

In December 2024, Aproximar once again participated in organising the Open Day on European Innovation and Cooperation in the Criminal Justice System, hosted at the Justice Hub, in Lisbon. Among the initiatives highlighted during the event was CoPPer – Cooperation to Promote a European Volunteering Programme in Probation Services ! In addition to a roundtable focused on the theme — where CoPPer was prominently featured — the topic “Volunteering in Probation”  drew significant

This transnational event was organized by Direção-Geral de Reinserção e Serviços Prisionais (DGRSP) in cooperation with Aproximar –  Cooperativa de Solidaeriedade Social . As coordinating partner, CEP proudly supported this three-day programme that explored the transformative role of volunteers in probation systems. The event brought together Volunteers in Probation, Probation practitioners, researchers, and institutional representatives to share national perspectives, good p

The International Bureau for the Dutch Probation Service celebrated its 50th anniversary with a symposium in May of this year. COPPER had a booth at the symposium. More than 100 participants from the probation field (the Ministry of Justice, municipalities, and community-based organizations) were present. Volunteers from the International Bureau were also present. Melinda Lewis and Marco Brok (COPPER project members) distributed flyers and spoke with numerous people about the

On the 3 rd of September 2025, Tony Swaine of the Irish Probation Service gave a presentation on the CoPPer Project to new staff of the Irish Probation Service as part of their Induction. This took place at the Irish Probation Service’s headquarters in Dublin and there were thirty-two people in attendance. It was a great way to raise awareness amongst new staff of the work of the CoPPer Project with new staff to the Service, who will work alongside Community Based Organisati

On the 27 th of June 2025, Tony Swaine of the Irish Probation Service gave a presentation on the CoPPer Project to a group of leaders from Probation funded Community Based Organisations at the Irish Probation Service’s headquarters in Dublin. There were ten people in attendance. Tony provided information on what the CoPPer Project is, its aims and the work packages that made up the project. He provided an overview of the training programme that has been developed for volunte

The CoPPer project  has come to an inspiring close, celebrating its journey with a vibrant final conference held in The Hague, the Netherlands . Participants from across Europe — including Portugal, the Netherlands, Romania, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, and Turkey — and even Japan  came together to mark this important milestone. The event was much more than a closing ceremony; it was a space for sharing experiences, exchanging knowledge, and highlighting the impact that CoPPer

At the CBO Summit last Thursday 23rd October we heard from panel discussions on a variety of topics of relevance and interest to those working in the criminal justice sector. One panel discussion in the afternoon was on the topic of Volunteerism in Probation. This panel included  Tony Swaine , Senior Probation Officer with the Irish Probation Service, Dr  Katharina Swirak , Lecturer and Deputy Head of the Department of Sociology and Criminology at  University College Cork , 

Ronan Mc Loughlin , APPO, The Probation Service, attended the annual  Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development (ACJRD)  conference in Dublin, Ireland last week. The conference was focused on Youth Justice and its evolving needs. Ronan spoke to the conference on the growing demand for volunteers in the justice sector and the need to support them through effective training and service development. He spoke about the CoPPer project, its planned launch in Novembe

CoPPer  Project members, Dr  Katharina Swirak , University College Cork, and Tony Swaine, Irish Probation Service met with Joseph Keaney of the Irish Probation Service’s Community Based Organisations Unit, Laura Walsh, CEO Le Chéile Mentoring, and Alan Quinn, Regional Manager with  Le Chéile Mentoring  online on Friday 10 October to plan an input on Volunteerism in Probation at the upcoming Irish Probation Service’s Community Based Organisation (CBO) Summit.  The CBO Summit w

Dennis is a volunteer for the International Bureau, probation Service Holland. He visits Dutch citizens who are in prison in Brazil. One...

After a dedicated journey of fostering collaboration, innovation, and volunteering in probation services across Europe, the...

Dr. Katharina Swirak and Ute Krenzer from University College Cork took part in the transnational training event held in Portugal in May....

CoPPer partners at University College Cork are preparing for a Transnational Training event in Lisbon which will take place from the...

My first days at Rechtsfürsorge e.V. Resohilfe Lübeck (Legal Aid Lübeck), Kleine Kiesau in Lübeck, Germany        As part of my PhD, I am...

On February 5, 2025, the Dutch Probation Service participated in a symposium on working with volunteers in the forensic sector. During...