News

- Awareness conference on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Police and Justice held in Prishtina, 15-16 September 2026.

On 15-16 September 2026, the Home Affairs Programme of the European Union in Kosovo (HAPE) project organized and supported a two-day awareness conference on AI in Prishtina, led by a French expert, bringing together representatives from the European Union office in Kosovo (EUOK), and key Kosovo institutions in the field of Law Enforcement, Internal Affairs, and Justice.

The conference brought together participants from EUOK, the Kosovo Police, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Police Inspectorate of Kosovo, Kosovo Academy for Public Safety, Special Prosecution and Basic Prosecution, creating an opportunity for institutions to exchange views and experiences on the growing use of AI and the challenges it may bring to their daily work.

Throughout the two days, participants explored the fundamentals of AI and its different forms, including embedded AI, generative AI and decision-support systems. Particular attention was given to the potential use of generative AI in law enforcement, including document summarization, drafting assistance and translation.

An important part of the conference focused on the legal and regulatory aspects of AI, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Police-Justice Directive and the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. Participants discussed why a clear legal basis, data protection and institutional compliance are particularly important when AI technologies are used in a law-enforcement environment.

The discussions also addressed some of the practical risks associated with AI, such as inaccurate or misleading outputs, data poisoning, exposure of personal data, deepfakes and forged documents, as well as the importance of maintaining human oversight and critical thinking when using AI tools.

The second day was dedicated to practical case studies, allowing participants to apply the legal and operational principles discussed during the conference to realistic law-enforcement scenarios, including the misuse of generative AI in investigations and the deployment of AI-enabled cameras.

The conference concluded with a discussion on the key challenges and risks related to the use of AI in law enforcement, as well as the importance of developing appropriate organizational, institutional and legal frameworks to ensure that AI is used responsibly and in line with EU standards. The two-day event provided a useful space for dialogue between Kosovo institutions and contributed to raising awareness about both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with the use of AI in the justice and law-enforcement sectors.

- HAPE Reviews Progress and Sets Priorities for Its Final Phase

Pristina, 3 September 2026: The 11th Steering Committee Meeting of the EU-funded Home Affairs Programme in Kosovo (HAPE) brought together representatives of the EU Office in Kosovo, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Special Prosecution Office, Kosovo Police and other partner institutions.

The meeting reviewed the results achieved during the first 40 months of the programme and agreed on the main priorities for its final phase, which will run until June 2027.

HAPE has supported Kosovo institutions in areas including specialised investigations, forensic science, border management, organised crime, anti-corruption and international police cooperation. Key achievements include training for police officers in undercover operations, surveillance techniques, digital forensics, fingerprint identification, drone operations, Artificial Intelligence.

The programme has also strengthened the Kosovo Forensic Agency through specialised training, new operating procedures and improved DNA-processing capabilities. Support for legal drafting, administrative procedures and professional training has further contributed to stronger institutional capacity within the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Kosovo Police.

HAPE has supported four Joint Investigation Teams and nine police operations, helping Kosovo law/enforcement institutions cooperate more effectively in complex and transnational criminal cases.

During the final phase, the programme will focus on database interoperability, integrity, Strategy against Organised Crime, specialised training on corruption, money laundering, financial crime and cybercrime and the fight against currency counterfeiting, as well as operational support for Joint Investigation Teams, drone units and critical/infrastructure protection. The Steering Committee confirmed the shared commitment of Kosovo institutions, the European Union and HAPE partners to achieving lasting and practical results in the home affairs and rule-of-law sectors.

- Strengthening Kosovo’s Response to Organized Crime: HAPE Develops Organized Crime Training Curricula for the Kosovo Justice Academy

The Home Affairs Programme of the European Union in Kosovo (HAPE) Project has successfully developed the Organized Crime Training Curricula and Supporting Training Materials for the Kosovo Justice Academy (KJA), providing a comprehensive and practice-oriented framework for the training of justice-sector professionals dealing with organized crime.

Developed in close cooperation with KJA, the curricula combines practical case studies, structured analytical tools, trainer guidance, and interactive learning methodologies to strengthen legal reasoning, evidentiary assessment, multidisciplinary cooperation, and the consistent application of legal standards in organized crime cases.

The curricula integrates Kosovo legislation, domestic case law, relevant international jurisprudence, and comparative judicial and prosecutorial practice from EU Member States, ensuring that training reflects both Kosovo’s legal framework and European best practices in combating organized crime.

During the official presentation of the curricula, the KJA Executive Director welcomed the Organized Crime Curricula and commended the quality, practical methodology, and comprehensive nature of the training package. The KJA confirmed its commitment to integrating the curricula into its specialized continuous training programme, recognizing its value in strengthening the professional capacities of judges, prosecutors, investigators, financial investigators, and other justice-sector practitioners.

The HAPE Project will further support Kosovo institutions in strengthening the home affairs sector and advancing reforms in line with EU standards and best practices. Working closely with key law enforcement and justice institutions, HAPE will contribute to enhancing institutional capacities, promoting the rule of law, and improving the prevention and fight against serious and organized crime.