According to Article 20 of the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive, to ensure a coherent and comprehensive approach, the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator is responsible for the coordination with national anti-trafficking coordinators or equivalent mechanisms, independent bodies, EU agencies, and relevant civil society organisations. The EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator works very closely with the three networks: Networks Networks EU Network of National Anti-Trafficking Coordinators and Rapporteurs The EU Network of National Anti-Trafficking Coordinators and Rapporteurs brings together national anti-trafficking coordinators or equivalent mechanisms and independent bodies. The network is co-chaired by the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator and the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Network meets at least twice per year in person or online, including in a Joint Session with the EU Civil Society Platform. The Network also plays a crucial role in the preparation of the report carried out by the European Commission every 2 years, which assesses the progress made in combatting trafficking in human beings in the EU.EU Anti-Trafficking Directive (Article 19): According to the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive, Member States shall take the necessary measures to establish national anti-trafficking coordinators or equivalent mechanisms and to provide them with the adequate resources necessary to effectively carry out their functions. The national anti-trafficking coordinator or the equivalent mechanism shall work with relevant national, regional and local bodies and agencies, particularly law-enforcement authorities, with national referral mechanisms, and with relevant civil society organisations active in this field. Member States may also establish independent bodies whose role includes monitoring the implementation and impact of anti-trafficking actions, submitting reports on matters requiring special attention of the competent national authorities, and carrying out assessments of root causes and trends in trafficking in human beings. EU Civil Society Platform against trafficking in human beings The EU Civil Society Platform against trafficking in human beings was launched in 2013. It brings together 77 participants from all EU Member States. Civil society plays a key role in preventing trafficking in human beings, in supporting and assisting victims, and in training and monitoring. The current EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings underlines the European Commission’s work with the EU Civil Society Platform. The Platform serves as a forum for civil society to engage and to exchange experiences and best practices to facilitate cooperation between key actors. It helps to identify challenges and actions to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings while protecting the victims. The Platform meets at least twice per year, including in joint session with the EU Network of National Anti-Trafficking Coordinators and Rapporteurs. Meetings are chaired by the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator. Network of the EU Agencies’ contact points on trafficking in human beings The network brings together relevant EU Agencies involved in preventing and combatting trafficking in human beings.Currently, the network includes European Agency for Asylum (EUAA), Europol, European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust), EU Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) and the European Labour Authority (ELA).
