Cross-Border Integrated Institutional Approach Towards Combating Illicit Arms Trafficking

The project under implementation by UNDP Kosovo* and UNDP North Macedonia aims to improve the cross-border cooperation between North Macedonia and Kosovo and lay the basis for an integrated institutional approach in combating illicit arms trafficking in the two jurisdictions through a series of closely coordinated activities. These include actions such as joint training and sharing of experience and intelligence, joint investigation teams (JIT), and joint actions in combating converted weapons trafficking.

Project results will directly enhance the cross-border and inter-institutional collaboration in the field of SALW from the early stage of investigations and improve the capacities of law-enforcement institutions to deal with trans-national arms trafficking threats. It will reduce the workload to national resources, improve the quality of investigations and secure solid and reliable information flow and increase the number of conviction cases in the court. This will bring the two jurisdictions closer to best European practices in the field.

The project contributes to Roadmap Goals 3, 4, 5 and key performance indicators 4, 5, 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: U$ 522,067

Implementing period: April 2021 – March 2023

Improvement of data and SALW collection practices and SALW related investigations

The project, implemented by UNDP North Macedonia, builds upon previously implemented activities as well as the identified risks, needs, and priorities of North Macedonia. It aims to improve implementation of the Information Management System (IMS) of the Ministry of the Interior that enables the gathering of SALW related data, with a particular focus on data collection related to domestic violence involving firearms. It also aims to improve the analytical capabilities of the Forensics Department through the provision of specialized equipment and training, as well as improve weapons warehouse management and tracing capacities leading to a decreased risk of the proliferation of SALW and improved security.

The project contributes to Roadmap Goals 2, 4, 5, and 7 and key performance indicators 2, 3, 8, 10, and 13 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$ 513,600

Implementing Period: December 2022 - December 2023