A Multidimensional Intervention in Combating Human Trafficking in the Western Balkans

In light of marking the EU Anti-Trafficking Day in October, we highlight one of the initiatives through which the European Union reaffirms its commitment to fighting human trafficking and protecting the victims.

Through the EU4FAST action, the European Union is working with institutions across the Western Balkans to strengthen justice systems, support law enforcement, and improve the identification and protection of victims, thus working for safer communities, stronger institutions, and more justice for all.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei), the Center for International Legal Cooperation (CILC), CIVIPOL, the Croatian Ministry of the Interior, the Italian Ministry of the Interior, and the Slovenian Ministry of the Interior have embarked on the “EU Support to Strengthen the Fight against Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings in the Western Balkans” action, also known as EU4FAST, since June 2023.

According to data from the implementing partners, irregular migration to the EU – which includes the risk of vulnerable migrants becoming victims of trafficking in human beings (THB) – has particularly increased since the end of 2021. In 2022, over 300,000 irregular entries were recorded at the external borders of the European Union (EU), representing an increase of 64% compared to the same period the previous year. Nearly half of these arrivals were recorded on the Western Balkan route, making it one of the main routes for the smuggling of migrants into the EU.

Facing this massive inflow, both EU and Western Balkan judicial authorities and law enforcement need more capacity and, in some cases, additional expertise to effectively and efficiently prevent and combat migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings in the Western Balkans. This is particularly evident in complex and long-running court cases.

The goal of the project has been to offer a tailored approach in line with the specific needs of relevant institutions and stakeholders to ensure the efficient identification and protection of potential victims of trafficking in human beings.

Throughout the course of the project, authorities in Western Balkan countries where the project is implemented – working in law enforcement, border management, and the fight against organised crime – have been, and will continue to be, assisted in preventing and countering trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling in line with EU standards and human rights. This has been done through the provision of adequate and efficient enhancement of their technical capabilities, including the procurement and development of innovative digital solutions compatible with contemporary crime prevention and investigation needs.

The Project’s 4-P Approach

On the onset of its implementation, the project team has come up with an approach to ensure a sustainable and multidimensional intervention in achieving the project goals. The approach is based on four principles: prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership and is known as the 4-P Approach. 

Prosecution stands for the improvement of the conditions for the effective investigation and prosecution of criminals and networks by strengthening the related capacities of Western Balkan law enforcement and judicial authorities in line with EU standards.

Prevention stands for strengthened integrated border management systems, increasing the resilience of at-risk groups and improving their knowledge base on smuggling and THB-related risks, which will result in the deterrence of criminal networks and the disruption of their search for potential victims.

By strengthening institutions and NGOs in the identification and referral of victims of trafficking, as well as the systems for the provision of shelter and services, the action contributes to a comprehensive Protection system.

Strengthening linkages between law enforcement and the protection systems will contribute to the effective prosecution of criminals and their networks. Facilitating effective Partnerships plays a key role across the project, as it seeks to strengthen local, regional, and EU-Western Balkans collaboration structures.

Addressing all key elements to improve the conditions for preventing and combating migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings in the Western Balkans will contribute to strengthening the rule of law in the region. This will, in turn, support the six Western Balkans partners in advancing on their path towards enlargement.