Objective of the WBBSi
The Western Balkan Border Security initiative (WBBSi) is the third pillar of the IISG (Integrative Internal Security Governance) in the Western Balkans; an effort to respond to the threats to the border integrity of the Western Balkan region by merging the efforts of all relevant security actors, EU and international donors of external assistance in this area of policy – in an efficient and sustainable manner. It builds upon the needs and priorities identified together with the Western Balkan countries as well as external assistance providers, aiming to achieve the highest possible level of regional ownership.
Support Group Members
- DG NEAR Directorate-General for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations;
- EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies upon notification to the Board;
- RCC / Regional Cooperation Council – Political Department;
- Albania: Ministry of Interior, including relevant bodies for Border Security;
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ministry of Security, including relevant bodies for Border Security;
- Kosovo*: Ministry of Interior; including relevant bodies for Border Security;
- Montenegro: Ministry of Interior; including relevant bodies for Border Security;
- North Macedonia: Ministry of Interior including relevant bodies for Border Security;
- Serbia: Ministry of Interior; including relevant bodies for Border Security;
- Austria – Ministry of Interior;
- Slovenia – Ministry of Interior;
- UNODC – United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime;
- PCC SEE Secretariat – Police Cooperation Convention for Southeast Europe;
- DCAF Ljubljana – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance;
- France – Regional Security Coordinator for the WB;
- Italy – Ministry of Interior;
- United Kingdom – Regional Security Coordinator for the WB;
- Bulgaria;
- RAI Secretariat – Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative;
- MARRI Regional Centre – Migration, Asylum, Refugee Regional Initiative;
- OSCE – Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe;
- GIZ – German Agency for International Cooperation GmbH;
Tasks
- The Methodology and templates on needs mapping;
- Reports on needs mapping;
- Methodology of response mapping;
- Reports on response mapping;
- Methodology of IISG Database;
- Methodology of Support Group contribution and procedures;
- Report of analysis for the IISG database;
- Proposal/s to the IISG Board;
Decision-making process
- IISG Secretariat consulting members on methodologies and products;
- Support Group proposing to the IISG Board the methodologies and products;
- IISG Board making decisions;
Accomplished Products
- The Methodology and templates for mapping needs;
- Methodology for becoming an IISG member;
- Methodology of response mapping;
- Methodology for mapping support to the IISG needs (IISG Database);
- The review of the relevant WB and EU documents related to the WBBSi Pillar;
- Working Group WBBSi Pillar Meetings;
- Cross-Cutting Working Group Pillar Meetings;
- Thematic WBBSi meetings;
- Governing bodies in WB;
- Communication Strategy and Action Plan;
- Mapping needs report;
- Narrative reporting on WBBSi needs mapping;
Products in process
- Response mapping report:
- Analyzing the IISG database;
- Methodology of Support Group contribution and procedures.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
Materials
WBBSi Events & Activities
On 17th of May 2024, the IISG Secretariat organised the national consultations in Sarajevo to complete Year 3 Response Mapping, initiate the 2nd Needs Mapping Process, and enhance the IISG
On 3 May 2024, the IISG Secretariat organised national consultations in Pristina, engaging partners from three pillars: Western Balkan Countering Terrorism initiative (WBCTi), Western Balkan Countering Serious Crime initiative (WBCSCi),
As part of the National Thematic meetings, the IISG Secretariat held a meeting in Podgorica on the 19th of April 2024, focusing on the Western Balkan Countering Serious Crime Initiative
Following the 7th IISG Board decision, IISG Secretariat initiated the national thematic meetings with WB Partners to complete the third annual response mapping and initiate the second needs mapping. On