The project under implementation by UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina and UNODC's Global Firearms Programme aims at enhancing the capacities of the Indirect Taxation Authority (i.e. the Customs Authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina) to better combat illicit arms trafficking through the development of standard operating procedures on processing illicit SALW and other goods’ trade, provision of training, and procurement of specialized equipment for the detection of smuggled firearms. The project also contributes to strengthened cooperation and information exchange between the Indirect Taxation Authority and other institutions at the national and regional levels through joint trainings, working visits, and cross-border operations.

This intervention is tailor-made and seeks to address the needs of Bosnia and Herzegovina outlined in several strategies, including but not limited to the SALW Strategy 2016-2020 and the respective action plan, the Strategy for fight against organized crime and the Strategy for Preventing and Combating Terrorism (2015 – 2020).

The project contributes to Roadmap Goals 2, 3, 4, 5 and key performance indicators 4, 6, 9, 10, 14 of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and their ammunition in the Western Balkans.

Budget: US$2,200,000

Implementing period: February 2020 – June 2023

Results achieved as of 31 March 2021:

• Need assessments conducted for better understanding the gaps and priorities of the Customs Authority in BiH.
• Analysis for advancing gender equality in the Customs Sector conducted.
• Draft SOPs for tackling the illicit trade of firearms, and for detecting firearms in postal and fast parcels developed for ITA’s use.
• 55 Customs officers trained in detecting firearms and explosives following standardized procedures.
• Draft operational procedures on the detection of firearms in fast parcels developed for private courier companies in BiH.
• SALW detection equipment for BIH Customs procured.
• Operational and strategic level inter-agency working groups established to strengthen coordination among relevant BiH institutions on SALW-related issues.

The project under implementation by UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina assists the Ministry of Defence (MoD)/Armed Forces (AF) to reduce ammunition stockpiles to a manageable level in order to create preconditions for the establishment of a sustainable ammunition stockpile management system owned by the MoD/AF. The project is also supporting the MoD and AF to increase their overall efficiency in addressing the issue of excess, obsolete, faulty ammunition and military equipment.

The project is part of the broader Urgent Action on Ammunition Destruction EXPLODE+ project platform, implemented by UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina, which enables a multilateral approach to interventions in the field of ammunition reduction and life-cycle management. The activities, including unsafe/surplus ammunition disposal, capacity development, and infrastructure upgrades of ammunition and weapon storage sites are closely coordinated with the MoD/AF. The project is directed by the Ammunition Weapons and Explosive Master plan as the main strategic framework of the MoD that guides large-scale national efforts and comprehensive international community involvement in this domain in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This phase of the Project, supported through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap MPTF, will specifically assist the MoD BiH in the destruction of 76 tons of unsafe ammunition in a controlled industrial disassembly environment, enabling highest environmental protection.

The project contributes to Roadmap Goals 6, 7 and key performance indicators 10, 12, 14 of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and their ammunition in the Western Balkans.

Budget: US$583,546

Implementing period: February 2020 – October 2022

The project under implementation by UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina seeks to implement a comprehensive response to raising awareness amongst the population regarding the dangers of illegal firearm possession, and contribute to behavioral change and comprehensive understanding of the threats posed by SALW within families, community, and society in general.

Specifically, the project will work with the formal associations of women police officers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as “agents of change”, in order to strengthen their capacities to better tackle the limited understanding of the general population regarding SALW-related threats.

The project will also directly implement structured countrywide campaigns, outreach activities, and advocacy addressing the impact and threats posed by illicit SALW to the general public, especially vulnerable groups (women, children, young men).

The project contributes to Roadmap Goal 4 and key performance indicators 10 and 14 of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and their ammunition in the Western Balkans.

Budget: US$769,406

Implementing period: January 2021 – April 2024

The project, implemented by UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina, is to ensure continuity in and the strengthening of the ongoing efforts and achievements of Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding SALW control. It aims to establish a platform for bi-lateral and multilateral knowledge sharing with neighboring countries pertaining to SALW control. Furthermore, the project shall ensure continuity of efforts in further institutionalizing gender mainstreaming in SALW control within the Indirect Taxation Authority of BiH.

The project is to introduce new digital tools and structured joint regional exercises to fight against illegal SALW trafficking. It shall support the gender network within the Indirect Taxation Authority to raise awareness on the detection and prevention of gender-based harassment and to reduce gender inequality within the institution.

The project contributes to Roadmap Goals 2, 3, 4, 5 and key performance indicators 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 14 of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and their ammunition in the Western Balkans.

Budget: US$ 309,412

Implementing Period: October 2022 – December 2023