Counter Terrorism and Foreign Terrorist Fighters

International organisations focus on multi-annual programmes aiming at strengthening Member States’ capacities to prevent cross-border movement of terrorists and stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs).

Since 2015, border21 provides regularly expertise and support to organisations and their programmes related to border security and management. Amongst others, the assessments focus on the disclosure of current gaps and needs of border security and management systems as well as projects implemented globally by international and regional organisations.

border21 facilitates institution and capacity building and contributes towards strengthening states’ law enforcement capacities to prevent cross-border movement of terrorist groups, stem the flow of FTFs, and combating organised crime through helping to strengthen state’s border security and management systems.

border21 ensures that the programme continues to develop with the expertise of relevant counter-terrorism entities, while avoiding duplication and overlapping of efforts, and ensuring that the requirements of states are met.

border21 provides assistance, inter alia, in the following areas:

  • awareness raising on the benefits of integrated border management (IBM) related projects and functioning practices developed.
  • introduction of good practices developed to enhance cross-border cooperation and information exchange.
  • assistance for the development of national IBM strategies and action plans based on gaps and needs assessments to address specifically identified challenges related to counter-terrorism and FTFs.
  • strengthening inter-agency cooperation, both at national and cross-border level, cross-border cooperation and information exchange.
  • provision of training courses on IBM as it relates to counter-terrorism and FTFs as well as fighting cross-border organised crime.
  • feasibility studies for required minimum standards of technical equipment.

border21 seeks close collaboration with relevant entities such as Europol and Frontex, NATO, OSCE, ICAO, IOM, UNCTED, UNDP, UNOCT, UNODC, INTERPOL and WCO as well as other stakeholders identified.