OSCE works with national authorities to strengthen the security of public spaces with schools in focus

Schools, markets, shopping centres, transport hubs and entertainment venues remain attractive targets for terrorists and violent extremists. The open and accessible nature of these places makes them especially appealing to violent actors who aim to maximize casualties, disrupt daily life and attract media attention. At the same time, putting effective security measures in place at so-called soft targets demands a careful balance between security needs, human rights and the preservation of public access. 

Protecting each category of public space comes with its own unique challenges, and schools are no different. In these places, children of all ages come to learn in an open and welcoming environment. Ensuring schools are appropriately prepared for security incidents, such as terrorist attacks, was the focus of an OSCE training course held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on 1 and 2 July 2026.

The event was organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. It brought together representatives of law enforcement, emergency services, education authorities, and school administrators. Participants explored practical approaches to preparing for and responding to terrorist attacks at soft targets, with particular attention to the unique security considerations associated with schools.

The training course focused on identifying site-specific security needs, developing incident response plans, developing communication strategies for parents, students and educators, and enhancing co-ordination among stakeholders. Through lectures, case studies, group discussions, and practical exercises, participants examined international good practices for emergency planning, crisis response, and communication during and after security incidents involving schools.

The activity builds on two previous Project PROTECT events conducted in Turkmenistan: the National Awareness-Raising Workshop on Soft Targets Protection from Terrorist Attacks (April 2025) and the Tabletop Scenario Exercise on Protecting Soft Targets from Terrorist Attacks (December 2025). Feedback from participants at these previous events highlighted the need for more specialised training on emergency planning and response measures for schools, which informed the design of this course.

“Unfortunately, around the OSCE area, soft targets and public places are targeted by violent extremists and terrorist groups. This is due to the diverse nature of soft targets, ranging from open spaces to buildings with weak protection, and simply any place where large numbers of people gather. Therefore, protecting soft targets from terrorism is a major challenge. The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat is proud to partner with the OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Action against Terrorism Unit on this important initiative aimed at strengthening Turkmenistan’s national practices for preventing and responding to a terrorist attack and enhancing school security protocols,” said William Leaf, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

The training course forms part of the OSCE’s extrabudgetary Project PROTECT, which supports participating States in strengthening national approaches to protecting vulnerable targets from terrorist threats and other hazards while ensuring respect for human rights. This activity was generously funded by Germany.