RAN in the Western Balkans

The RAN in the Western Balkans project aims to support the prevention of radicalisation in the region and to enhance synergies between EU and Western Balkans professionals, in line with EU Policy.

The project foresees the organisation of training sessions, workshops and study visits around themes such as the management of returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters and their family members and Violent Right-wing Extremism (VRWE). The project aims to map practitioners working in the WB region in the field of P/CVE, as well as to establish an expert pool.

The first foreseen meeting is a webinar on the management of returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters and their family members just before summer. Calls for participants for this event and future events as well as any other news are published on this website.

Background and Funding

The RAN in the Western Balkans project implements a number of priorities set out in the Joint Action Plan on Counter-Terrorism for the Western Balkans, which was signed between the European Commission and representatives of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia in October 2018.

The Joint Action Plan outlines five objectives:

A Robust Framework for Countering Terrorism and Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism;
Effective Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism;
Effective Information Exchange and Operational Cooperation;
Build Capacity to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing;
Strengthen the Protection of Citizens and Infrastructure.

Following the signature of the Joint Action Plan, six Bilateral Implementing Arrangements were signed with each Western Balkan partner in 2019.

With a budget of EUR 1.55 million, the RAN in the Western Balkans project is funded under the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA II) by DG NEAR.

For more information on the project and the Joint Action Plan:

Papers

In previous years, several RAN papers have already been translated and published in regional WB languages:

Infographic

General information
16 November 2022

RAN in the Western Balkans Infographic

This infographic provides a snapshot of the project, the challenge it is helping participants to tackle and the activity it is delivering.