The fifth annual report of the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund in support of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illicit possession, misuse and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024 is now available for online reading. The report marks the fifth year of the Trust Fund’s existence, running in parallel with the Roadmap’s implementation.

In 2023, the Trust Fund and its two Participating UN Organizations, UNDP and UNODC, further consolidated their comprehensive support to the authorities in the Western Balkans in addressing specific priority areas of the regional SALW Control Roadmap. The support included the improvement of legislative, operational, and institutional frameworks across the region, the advancement of human, technical, and digital resources towards SALW control, the upgrade of investigative and data collection methods, as well as of gender-sensitive approaches to tackle arms-related threats and risks, and the engagement of a diverse set of actors and communities to these ends.

More specifically, through the support of the Trust Fund projects in 2023, the following results were achieved:

• In advancing the legislative framework for tackling SALW-related crime, 2 jurisdictions (Montenegro and North Macedonia) amended criminal codes in line with the UN Firearms Protocol.
• For achieving international standards and accreditation of forensic work, 5 forensic methods were supported for accreditation in line with the ISO 17025 (1 in Serbia, 2 in Montenegro, 2 in Kosovo*), while one of these received its official accreditation in November 2023 (Serbia). In addition, two jurisdictions (Serbia and Montenegro) advanced the crime scene investigation procedures in line with ISO 17020.
• The operational framework for SALW control was further advanced across jurisdictions, with the adoption of 9 Memoranda of Understanding and 16 Standard Operating Procedures focused on tackling firearm trafficking, advancing investigations or operational data exchange.
• All Western Balkans jurisdictions received specialized equipment to advance their forensics and law enforcement standards of work, improve analytical and investigative capacities as well as the quality and accuracy of SALW-based crime evidence.
• Keeping in line with the technology advancements and needs for more efficient and interlinked data-informed work towards SALW control, digital resources and tools were upgraded and modernized in five jurisdictions (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia), including SALW-related registry systems and databases.
• The physical infrastructure upgrade was not left behind: two jurisdictions (Albania and North Macedonia) were supported with the upgrade of weapons storage facilities to meet international safety and security standards for SALW-related infrastructure.
• Dedicated actions were undertaken in two jurisdictions (BiH and Serbia) to enhance women's engagement in SALW-related matters and gender-responsive measures in firearms misuse prevention, including support for the associations of women in police or implementation of dedicated gender-responsive capacity and policy development events for police.
• The general population and specific groups of stakeholders were increasingly engaged to prevent firearms misuse in the region:
  • General awareness-raising campaigns were launched in two jurisdictions (BiH and Albania), while one jurisdiction (Serbia) expanded the pool of professionals engaged to work on firearm misuse prevention. In this respect, by December 2023, the general campaign in BiH, which focused on femicide and responsible firearms ownership, reached out to over 2.6 million citizens aged 18 and above. To raise awareness of firearm misuse, the Republika Srpska police conducted 250 lectures in high schools, reaching about 11,300 students.
  • On the other hand, in Serbia, more targeted stakeholder engagement activities involved over 250 stakeholders from law enforcement, health, education and media sectors to tackle firearm misuse prevention, with a particular focus on domestic violence and suicide. In addition, the activities in Serbia supported relevant institutions to plan and issue measures in response to firearm misuse crises and contributed to disseminating knowledge- and evidence-based messages for the public, serving awareness raising and alleviating community trauma in the aftermath of the tragic mass shootings that shook the country, and the region, in May 2023.
  • The support was provided for the development or publishing of 16 knowledge products, which will serve as a resource or basis for further capacity, policy and operational advancement in the region in the area of SALW control. The knowledge products included three guideline publications, three assessments, two infographics, one manual, and seven comprehensive research reports on a particular dimension in the SALW control field.

An independent mid-term evaluation of the Trust Fund, concluded in February 2023, assessed the Trust Fund as essential for sustaining both political and technical momentum on SALW control in the Western Balkans. The Trust Fund was acknowledged as highly effective as a means of demonstrating support for the SALW Control Roadmap. It was also recognized for its key role in providing synergies and interlinkages with other funds and initiatives, which collectively contribute to the Roadmap implementation, therefore increasing overall impact. As established by the mid-term evaluation, the implementing organizations have, through the Trust Fund, forged new alliances and consolidated existing partnerships beyond those essential for project implementation, resulting in a broader constituency of actors engaged in SALW control.

The Trust Fund received new funding contributions in 2023 in the amount of US$ 3.36 million, bringing the total value of contributions since its establishment to US$ 27.5 million. Eight new projects at a value of US$ 10.78 were approved by the Trust Fund’s Steering Committee in October 2023, following the 3rd Call for Proposals. This brought the total number of projects funded by the Trust Fund to 24, with a cumulative budget of $25.39 million. Out of these, 10 projects were successfully completed by the end of 2023.

With the new batch of projects approved in 2023, the Trust Fund ensured that it responded to the priority gaps and needs of the authorities, capitalizing on the previous work and investment. in doing so, it remained mindful of the recommendations from the mid-term evaluation aimed at strengthening local ownership and partnerships, community engagement, the integration of gender perspectives, and sustainability.

As stated by Steliana Nedera, the Chairperson of the Trust Fund’s Steering Committee, “With joint commitment, partnerships, and support, we are steadily advancing towards achieving our shared vision for a safer region.”

To access the report, please click here.

Originally published on www.seesac.org