Joint Programme

Horizontal Facility

The Western Balkans will continue to enhance prison and probation structures to manage violent extremist offenders (VEOs) and prevent radicalisation after release. This conclusion was reached at the 6th Steering Committee meeting of the regional action “Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in managing violent extremism in prisons and preventing further radicalisation after release”, which reviewed progress and results achieved between April and November 2025.

In 2025, 182 prison and probation professionals were empowered in working with VEOs, through different tools, trainings and the regional exchange of experience and practices. The regional action provided a step-by-step guide on rehabilitation, resocialisation and reintegration process of returning foreign terrorist fighters and their families in North Macedonia and assisted Albania to assess its current regulatory and inter-institutional framework pertaining to provision of the pre-release and post-penal support to the VEOs. The first regional instrument which enables non-medical prison staff, early detection of mental health concerns with VEOs was made available for use across penitentiary systems in the Western Balkans.

Accomplishments made were recognised by the membership representing all six Beneficiaries in the region who committed to continuation of collaboration, while the plan of further actions for the period to May 2026 was unanimously adopted.

The meeting was organised under the regional action Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in managing violent extremism in prisons and preventing further radicalisation after release”, implemented under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkiye.