The Western Balkans Criminal Justice Project, in collaboration with the Academy of European Law (ERA) and the JITs Network Secretariat, concluded a three-day specialised training program tailored for prosecutors and investigators from the Western Balkans. The training was held at Eurojust from 3 to 5 July and was designed to enhance capacity building and cooperation in criminal matters within the Western Balkans, and between the region and the EU, by equipping Western Balkan practitioners with practical skills and knowledge.
The intensive training focused on Joint Investigation Teams (JITs), an essential tool for international cooperation in the fight against organised crime, bringing together prosecutors, judges and law enforcement authorities to facilitate direct cooperation and communication during an investigation. Through a combination of theoretical sessions and practical case simulations, participants gained hands-on experience in establishing and managing JITs.
The sessions covered the use of European and international legal instruments for cooperation, the roles and support available from Eurojust, the WBCJ Project and the JITs Network Secretariat, and detailed guidance on drafting and amending JIT agreements. By actively engaging in real-life role-plays, participants learned to navigate the challenges of coordinating multi-jurisdictional operations, fostering a deeper understanding of how to combat organized crime more effectively across borders.
Throughout the program, participants from the Western Balkans worked alongside experienced trainers to apply all concepts to real-world scenarios, fostering cross-border collaboration and enhancing their operational effectiveness in their home countries.
Eurojust is an agency of the European Union