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Enhancing cross-border cooperation for survivors of trafficking, among Service Providers in the Western Balkans

12-13 December 2023, Tirana, Albania – Tirana hosted a regional roundtable on enhancing cross-border cooperation among service providers in the Western Balkans. In two days, the network of civil society organizations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, discussed on enhancing systems for providing direct assistance, exploring trans-border referral and assistance and reintegration and rehabilitation programs for survivors of trafficking. 

Strengthening protection and assistance mechanisms for survivors of trafficking, including during investigations, followed by the provision of personalized reintegration and rehabilitation programs are key in empowering survivors. On the first day, participants delved into the current state and challenges such as funding and shelter capacities, identification of gaps in delivering direct assistance, and tools to enhance the efficiency of systems for delivering direct assistance under international standards and best regional practices. 

  WBJAST 1 WBJAST regional roundtable3

Ways of trans-border cooperation to further counter trafficking in the Western Balkans are essential for survivors to heal, regain independence, and rebuild their lives. That’s why on the second day, the network of service providers from the Western Balkans addressed legal disparities in the Western Balkans. The importance of harmonizing laws and policies across countries and ensuring consistent and effective support for trafficking victims.

This roundtable was organized in the framework of the #WBJAST project - Joint Actions Against Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Human Beings, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
 

SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals