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The HAPE Project, in cooperation with the Kosovo Justice Academy (KJA), organized a two-day training session bringing together judges, prosecutors, police investigators and inspectors to strengthen their practical skills in effective use of Special Investigative Measures.

The training was delivered jointly by KJA trainers and HAPE Project Italian experts (prosecutor and police investigator) who shared valuable experience and the EU best practices.

A total of 39 participants were trained consisting of:

• 18 Judges coming from all Kosovo Basic Courts
• 12 Prosecutors coming from all Kosovo Basic Prosecution Offices including Appellate Prosecutor's Office
• 7 Investigators from the Kosovo Police
• 2 Inspectors from Police Inspectorate of Kosovo

The training aimed to enhance participants' knowledge and practical skills in applying special investigative measures for the detection, investigation, and prosecution of serious and organized crimes. It also focused on legal frameworks, the practical implementation of investigative tools, and cross-border cooperation, supported by real case examples and best practices across EU Member States, and particularly Italy.

Participants were highly active and enthusiastic throughout the two days, engaging in lively discussions, sharing experiences, and demonstrating a strong commitment to enhancing their professional capacities. The sessions were greatly enriched by the practical insights and interactive approach of the KJA trainers and Italian experts, fostering a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.

The HAPE Project, in cooperation with the Kosovo Justice Academy (KJA), organized a two-day training session bringing together judges, prosecutors, police investigators and inspectors to strengthen their practical skills in Investigation and Prosecution of Economic Crimes.

The training was delivered jointly by KJA trainer and HAPE Project Italian experts (including a prosecutor and police investigators).

A total of 28 participants were trained consisting of:

• 18 Prosecutors coming from Basic Prosecution Offices across seven Kosovo regions, the Appellate Prosecutor's Office, and the Special Prosecution Office
• 1 Judge from the Basic Court
• 7 Police investigators from the Kosovo Police
• 2 Police inspectors from Police Inspectorate of Kosovo

The training focused on practical approaches to financial investigations, asset tracing, use of special investigative measures, and inter-institutional cooperation to ensure more effective and coordinated responses to economic crime in Kosovo.

The participants highly appreciated the Italian expertise and practical insights shared during the sessions.

HAPE project delivered the third week of training on Drone Operation to Kosovo Police (KP) and Kosovo Customs. This was the first-ever specialized training delivered by very highly trained French experts - 2 were trainers of trainers for drone and anti-drone units in the French Police Academy and 1 was a technical training expert and drone operator-pilot from a crowd management unit in France. They were also involved in ensuring the safety of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The training participants consisted of 5 policemen from KP Drone Unit, 1 from KP anti-drug unit and 2 agents from Kosovo Customs. Participants demonstrated a high level of interest and motivation. The training covered a wide range of essential knowledge and operational and technical skills for the professional use of drones for KP and Customs. The aim of the training was to train a group of pilots and operator-pilots, with high professionalism and technical know-how. The objective of the training is to certify the participants as drone pilots and operator-pilots, enhancing their practical skills in the operational use of drones for crowd management and judicial investigations. The five-week training program is taking place at Camp Vrella and in the city of Prishtina. The first one-week module focused on the study of drone legislation and regulations, including EU civil and military standards and KFOR regulations for Kosovo’s airspace. The second two-week module enabled all participants to become certified drone pilots. The third and final two-week module, scheduled for the end of October and November 2025, will focus on operational exercises in crowd management and the use of drones in judicial investigations. This activity reflects HAPE’s continued commitment to strengthening operational capacity and inter-agency cooperation among KP and other Law enforcement agencies (LEAs), in line with European standards for public safety.

HAPE project organized and delivered an advanced training to Kosovo Police Water Border Control Unit (WBCU) with the support of a highly qualified French expert. The team consisted of Kosovo Border Police and Kosovo Customs in order to make the training as close as possible to real joint patrols between the two Kosovo authorities. This was the second training session provided by HAPE project following the initial training delivered in July 2025. The joint team was equipped with two powerful inflatable boats -one received through a donation and the other from criminal assets seized by police. This made it possible to conduct joint exercises between KP and Customs in real nautical environment. The final training session, lasting for two weeks and was held at Batlava Lake, where a new dedicated floating dock was also installed to support hands-on exercises during the training. The objective of the training was to enhance navigation and practical skills in waterborne joint operations. A total of 16 officers - 10 from KP and 6 from Kosovo Customs - participated to the advanced training. The training covered a wide range of essential competencies, including safe approaches and manoeuvres to surround a vessel, before taking control and conducting inspection, ensuring professional standards for waterborne patrol operations, etc. Special emphasis was placed on teamwork, situational awareness, and coordination of boats in different scenarios. Participants from both the Kosovo Police and Kosovo Customs demonstrated a strong motivation and engagement throughout the joint activities. Following these training sessions and the previous capacity building intervention provided by HAPE, the WBCU now has the capacity to independently conduct joint operations on Kosovo’s lakes. This activity reflects HAPE’s continued commitment to strengthening operational capacities and inter-agency cooperation of Kosovo law enforcement authorities, in line with European standards for border security and public safety.

The European Union’s Home Affairs Programme in Kosovo (HAPE) successfully delivered the second training on international police and judicial cooperation on 21 and 22 October 2025 in Pristina. The activity, aimed at strengthening cross-border collaboration in criminal matters, brought together law enforcement and judicial officials from Kosovo and Albania. The training was designed and led by short-term experts Maurizio Varanese, Chief Inspector of the Italian Police, and Emanuele Marchisio, an Italian Prosecutor, alongside Mr. Marco Mosele, Judicial Cooperation Officer from Eurojust. Participants engaged in interactive sessions combining theoretical and practical components focused on Schengen instruments, international coordination mechanisms, and the establishment of Joint Investigation Teams (JITs). This initiative is part of HAPE’s ongoing commitment to support Kosovo authorities in enhancing operational and legal capacities for effective international police and judicial cooperation, contributing to stronger regional security and justice cooperation frameworks.

The Home Affairs Programme of the European Union in Kosovo (HAPE) Project, successfully concluded a two-day High-Level Workshop on Non-Conviction-Based Confiscation (NCBC). The initiative was attended by senior representatives of the Government of Kosovo, the judiciary, and law enforcement agencies, together with the European Union and experts from EU Member States.

The workshop featured keynote interventions on the Italian and French models, operational insights from Eurojust, and practical case studies illustrating the added value of NCBC in asset recovery and judicial cooperation from Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure of Albania, as well as, senior representatives of Kosovar institutions, the European Commission, judicial and law enforcement authorities from EU Member States.

The event was conceived as a high-level institutional forum to stimulate debate on this strategic issue, present comparative European models, and consolidate cross-border cooperation in the fight against organised crime and corruption. It aims to support Kosovo in strengthening its asset recovery system and aligning it with European standards in the fight against organised crime and corruption

In their opening remarks, Ms. Ilaria Renelli, HAPE Project Team Leader highlighted the importance of "follow the money" principle in financial investigation and asset recovery, Mr. Jarmo Feliks Helppikangas, Head of Rule of Law & Legal, Human Rights, European Union Special Representative in Kosovo, stressed the importance of asset confiscation as a cornerstone of rule-of-law reforms and a key element of Kosovo's EU integration path. Whereas, Kosovo Acting Minister of Justice, Mr. Blerim Sallahu, underlined Kosovo's determination to advance reforms that increase the effectiveness of confiscation mechanisms and close existing gaps in the legal framework.

The agenda featured contributions from leading European practitioners, including:

Mr. Filippo Romano, Secretary-General, Italian National Anti-Corruption Authority (ANAC)
Mr. Aldo Ingangi, Magistrate, Eurojust
General Vincenzo Molinese, Commander, Carabinieri Special Operations Department (ROS)
General Antonio Nicola Quintavalle Cecere, Guardia di Finanza, SCICO
Mr. Altin Dumani, Chief Prosecutor, SPAK (Albania)
Mr. Frédéric Copero, French Judicial Police

Over the course of two days, participants examined comparative approaches from Italy, France and Albania; assess Kosovo's specific institutional and legal challenges; and identified priority steps for the introduction and operationalisation of NCBC in Kosovo.

This initiative builds on the 2024 European Commission Report on Kosovo, which called for enhanced confiscation mechanisms, particularly in high-level corruption and complex financial crime cases. By the conclusion of the workshop, Kosovo and its partners aim to reinforce inter-agency cooperation, strengthen institutional readiness, and set a roadmap for reforms in line with the EU acquis.

From 7 to 11 July 2025, under the auspices of the European Union’s Home Affairs Programme in Kosovo (HAPE), a specialized training aimed at enhancing international police and judicial cooperation was successfully delivered in Pristina. The initiative aligns with HAPE's ongoing efforts to support Kosovo authorities in strengthening cross-border collaboration in criminal matters. The training, held on 8 and 9 July 2025 at Hotel Sirius in Pristina, was designed and led by short-term experts Maurizio Varanese, Chief Inspector of the Italian Police, and Angela Continisio, an Italian Prosecutor, alongside Mr. Marco Mosele, Judicial Cooperation Officer from Eurojust. A total of 15 law enforcement representatives attended, including ten from Kosovo Police and five from the North Macedonia Police. Participants engaged in an intensive programme combining theoretical insights with practical exercises based on a detailed and realistic cross-border criminal scenario. Key topics addressed included the application of Schengen instruments such as hot pursuit and cross-border surveillance, the role of international bodies like EUROPOL and EUROJUST in facilitating cooperation, as well as the establishment and management of Joint Investigation Teams (JITs). The training facilitated in-depth exploration of legislative frameworks, procedures, and operational tools necessary for effective international cooperation. Participants gained hands-on experience through simulated operational meetings, enhancing their capacity to organize and coordinate cross-border investigative activities. In parallel, HAPE experts initiated a preliminary assessment of Kosovo’s existing domestic legal instruments and operational mechanisms that enable effective international police and judicial cooperation. Constructive meetings were held with senior police and judicial officials, providing valuable insights and laying the groundwork for future improvements in Kosovo’s cooperation framework. The training concluded successfully, with participants demonstrating strong engagement and a significant increase in both theoretical understanding and practical operational skills. Additional trainings and consultations will be conducted in October and November 2025, further consolidating Kosovo’s capacity in international criminal cooperation. The HAPE Project remains committed to fostering regional stability through enhanced law enforcement and judicial collaboration.

After 3 weeks of technical meetings and analysis in Kosovo among all key actors of the public safety, the Civil protection and Agencies of Emergency services and organizations, a wrap-up presentation took place in Hotel SIRIUS on the 11th of July. In presence of EU office, advisors of PM’S office, the director of EMA, representatives from ARKEP, Kosovo Police, Firefighting, Emergency Medical services, Telecom operators IPKO and VALA, Information Society Agency, Ministry of Defence (CITCEN), a comprehensive technical, operational and financial analysis was provided by the Austrian expert, Gregor JANIN. He was leading similar studies and implementations of the NG 112-emergency number services, in North-Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania. It is important to highlight that the HAPE project had an outstanding level of commitment and cooperation from all Kosovar stakeholders. To be part of the European Union critical communications system (EUCCS) that will be established and mandatory in 2030, incl. the future NG-112 will offer to the public to be able to reach the safety agencies with an emergency call, but also allow the emergency Agencies to reach officers and units engaged in a secure prioritized mission critical radio and telephone interoperable network and in any crisis situation, it will give to Governments the capability to reach a large number of citizens simultaneously with the Public warning (EU-ALERT system). Following that study, in coordination with a EU TAIEX mission to start in October 2025, all stakeholders will continue to work in synergies, to boost the building of this secure and resilient communication system, for the benefit of the population.

HAPE project organized and facilitated the first-ever specialized training for members of the Water Border Control Unit of the Kosovo Police, Kosovo Customs and the Emergency Management Agency (EMA). To deliver this important capacity-building initiative, HAPE engaged a highly qualified French expert – a former chief of boat with 13 years of operational experience and a certified expert diver for over 12 years. The objective of the training was to enhance practical skills in waterborne operations and to ensure safe and coordinated navigation in inland waters (lakes). The four-day training was held at Batlava Lake, where a dedicated floating dock was installed on 7 July to support hands-on exercises. A total of 10 officers from the Kosovo Police, 4 officers from Kosovo Customs, and 2 representatives from EMA participated in this intensive course. The training covered a wide range of essential competencies, including safe navigation techniques, man overboard procedures, knot-tying techniques, mooring and securing vessels, and other critical safety protocols necessary for professional waterborne patrol operations. Special emphasis was placed on teamwork, situational awareness, and responding effectively in emergency scenarios. Participants demonstrated a high level of interest, professionalism, and motivation throughout the training, underscoring both the relevance and timeliness of this initiative. This activity reflects HAPE’s continued commitment to strengthening operational capacity and inter-agency cooperation among Kosovo’s border and emergency management institutions, in line with European standards for border security and public safety.

The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Massimo Prozzo - Task Manager of the European Union Office in Kosovo (EUOK) and Mr. Ron Krasniqi - Acting Head of Division for Policy Coordination - Department for European Integration, International Cooperation and Policy Coordination of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). Also present at the meeting were Col Taibe Canolli, representing the General Director of the Kosovo Police (KP) and Mr Rafet Halimi - Prosecutor from Special Prosecution Office (SPO), representatives from various departments of MIA, of KP (intervention units, Border Police, KP Forensic, Department of Intelligence and Analysis (DIA) including representatives from Police Inspectorate of Kosovo, Kosovo Forensic Agency (KFA) and Kosovo Academy of Public safety (KAPS) and the Kosovo institute for Public administration (KIPA). Among the consortium for the project, Mr Giorgio Butini, - Italian Ministry of Interior (MoI), Mr Olivier Narbonne and Mr Ronan Le Bec - French Directorate for International cooperation and Security and Ms Maria Angulo from CIVIPOL, international technical operator of the French MoI. And other international partners (US Embassy, EU office, EU4FAST, etc…). The event was a showcase of the project achievements from March 2025 to June 2025, including views on the way forward, for the 7th work plan, from July to October 2025. During the presentation of activities, it was underlined that in general, HAPE has increased significantly his support to the beneficiary institutions, of the HAPE project. The last 4-month were one of the busiest period since the beginning of the HAPE project in 2023, with the aim of to be in line with EU best practices and standards in legal and institutional support and to increase the operational capacities of beneficiaries, contributing to the strengthening of the Rule of Law and the fight against organized crime in Kosovo.

A 3-day "cybersecurity countermeasures" session took place for more than 25 participants, including the 16 DPOs of the MIA and its agencies, at Hotel Sirius from the 16th to 20th of June 2025. Different types of tools and methods (governance and compliance services, cryptography, endpoint detection security centers, incident response team, threat intelligence) were presented. The session emphasized the concept of risk assessment, as it has become central to the skills, in terms of cybersecurity compliance, required from exposed entities. Cultural elements of the cybersecurity landscape were shared to support the DPOs in building their own understanding of their environment and which signals to be monitored. A practical case of organization (including network diagrams) was studied, and the participants had the opportunity to learn how each method and tool can positively impact on the efficiency of protection for their organization.

The French expert, both firemen and chemist, provided support in the drafting of a legal and operational protocol on how to manage the handling, storage and destruction of chemical precursors, in line with the latest criminal code reforms and the EU best practice. His recommendations were presented to the working group of the MIA, the Commission on narcotics, psychotropics substances and precursors and to the Pharmaceutic Chamber.

8 special prosecutors from SPRK and 10 special investigators from the serious organized and financial crime division of the Kosovo Police participated in this training session. The Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C) was created in Podgorica in 2023, as result of a French initiative within the framework of the Balkan strategy, in association with Slovenia and Montenegro.

Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C)