The European Union Continuous Supporting the Fight Against the Illegal Possession, Misuse and Trafficking of SALW in South-East and East Europe

In December 2025, the European Union approved funding for the continuation of two projects until 2029 in South East and East Europe,  totaling approximately EUR 10.5 million. These projects represent the next phases of existing EU-supported actions that concluded at the end of 2025/beginning 2026.

The first project, following the approval of the contract by the European Commission on 17 December 2025, started in January 2026, with a budget of approximately EUR 7 million and a duration of 3.5 years. Being financed from the European Commission’s budget under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance III (IPA), it represents the second phase of the regional project “Support for Enhancing the Fight Against the Illegal Possession, Misuse and Trafficking of SALW in the Western Balkans” and covers six Western Balkans jurisdictions: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo1.

The second phase of the project specifically aims to reinforce the achievements gained over the first phase, and will further contribute to:

  • Strengthened the strategic and operational capacity of Western Balkan authorities to counter illicit arms trafficking, conduct firearms investigations, and exchange information within the region and with the EU on the illegal possession, misuse, and trafficking of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition;
  • Enhanced response to factors fuelling demand for firearms in the Western Balkans through a whole-of-government and society approach;
  • Raised awareness and operational capacity among key beneficiaries through organisation of annual meetings of the Western Balkans Awareness Raising Task Force; and
  • Strengthened capacities of institutions to mainstream gender in SALW control, building on the pioneering work in translating commitment towards integration of gender perspective into practical tools for law enforcement officials.

The second project, with a budget of approximately EUR 3.5 million and a duration of 3 years, is financed under the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) budget, following the adoption of Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2587 on 15 December 2025, “in support of SEESAC for the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans and in support of disarmament and arms control activities in South-East and East Europe.” This Roadmap-focused project constitutes the third phase of a long-standing EU support initiative, covering the Western Balkans, as well as the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Its implementation will start by mid of January 2026, when the previous phase of the project, i.e., Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2321, will be completed.

This project will support the:

  1. Coordination of the regional approach and monitoring of the implementation of the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap;
  2. Strengthening of knowledge exchange and inter-regional cooperation on SALW control;
  3. Strengthening the capacities of law enforcement services in Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to counter illegal possession, misuse and traffickin; and
  4. Strengthening the capacities of law enforcement and customs services in the Western Balkans for countering illicit trafficking.

The Roadmap is a highly relevant and effective initiative with multiple objectives, both specific to SALW control and much broader political priorities, including regional cooperation and EU enlargement, as identified in the Mid-term Review of the Roadmap. The Review also emphasized that SEESAC role as a coordinator, provider of expertise and as a connector linking local, regional and international actors together was particularly important.

Since 2002, SEESAC has worked on a comprehensive approach to SALW control - facilitating regional cooperation at strategic and operational level, as well as specific, tailor-made activities at the national level.  Both projects continuing in 2026 are implemented in close cooperation with the authorities in South East Europe and building on the work done through and in complementarity with the EU Council Decisions, since 2010:  2010/179/CFSP, 2013/730/CFSP, 2016/2356/CFSP,  2018/1788/CFSP,  2019/2111/CFSP, 2022/2321/CFSP, IPA/2021/425-067, and in parallel with 2023/3006/CFSP.

The projects will continue contributing to European and global peace and security by combating the threat posed by the illegal possession, trafficking and misuse of SALW and their ammunition in, from and to South-East and East Europe. At the same time, it will enhance regional stability by working within the framework of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and in partnership with other relevant international partners and initiatives.

 

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