The overall objective is to strengthen cross-border judicial cooperation and enhance the capacity of criminal justice authorities to effectively combat organised crime and terrorism across the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean region.
Specifically:
The Western Balkans Criminal Justice (WB CRIM JUST) project (2022–2026) implemented by Eurojust with a €6 million EU contribution, supports six Western Balkan partners in strengthening regional and EU cooperation against organised crime and terrorism. It aims to enhance the capacity of judicial authorities to investigate and prosecute cross-border crime and to deepen their knowledge of EU cooperation tools through operational and strategic activities, including peer exchanges and targeted training modules.
The EuroMed Justice VI (2024–2027) project, also implemented by Eurojust, builds on the previous phase to reinforce judicial cooperation between nine Southern Partner Countries and 12 EU Member States. It focuses on improving practitioners’ skills to provide effective judicial assistance through a training repository, joint SPC–EU trainings, and “train-the-trainer” sessions, promoting stronger collaboration in criminal justice across the Mediterranean region.
ACTIVITIES
EPLO will participate in the following WPs/Activities:
• Design, update and refinement of training programmes, modules and methodology, including “Train the Trainer” manuals:
- Training on Joint Investigation Teams (JITs), tailored for prosecutors and law enforcement authorities of the Western Balkan region
- Winter Academy on Judicial Cooperation, tailored for aspiring young judges and prosecutors
• Selection and provision of qualified trainers and experts tailored to thematic objectives.
• Organisation and delivery of in-person and online trainings for practitioners, including joint SPC/EU MS sessions and targeted Western Balkan trainings. Issues covered inter alia: asset recovery tools, money laundering, financial crimes and investigations, INTERPOL Silver Notice, crypto assets, etc;
• Organisation of ‘Train the Trainers” online sessions
• Management of all training logistics, including venues, travel, accommodation, ICT equipment, interpretation, catering, visas, insurance, and online platforms.
• Evaluation of training quality, effectiveness, and participant outcomes.
• Preparation of comprehensive reports documenting training delivery, lessons learned, and recommendations for future capacity-building initiatives.