Danube Cities Against Human Trafficking

ongoing

Trafficking in human beings (THB) is a complex phenomenon that is highly dependent on regional and local economic, social as well as cultural factors. It is rooted in vulnerability to poverty, lack of democratic cultures, gender inequality and violence against women, conflict and post-conflict situations, lack of social integration, lack of opportunities and employment, lack of access to education, child labour and discrimination. Local actors – be they public authorities or NGOs – often are closest to both victims and suspects of THB. The local level offers a variety of possibilities for effectively counteracting human trafficking. At the same time, the local actors often lack capacities, resources or know-how in order to initiate activities.The European Union’s report about the “Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings 2012–2016” strongly recommends that Member States consult regional/local civil society actors when implementing measures and reporting on achievements. Against this background the EU Strategy for the Danube Region with its specific Priority Area 10 dedicated to “institutional capacity and cooperation” is working towards a thematic networking initiative which shall address in particular cities, towns, relevant NGOs and local institutions in order to enhance capacity-building and know-how transfer on this genuinely transnational and transversal issue. With the project Danube Cities against Human Trafficking (D-CAHT), we want to: - raise the awareness of THB among local actors, - provide local actors, administration, representatives of NGOs with information and know-how by highlighting good practices in cities and municipalities, - identify common challenges and provide practical tools for the work of local actors. So far, Priority Area 10 “Institutional Capacity and Cooperation” realised a series of round tables and working groups in order to support mutual learning and exchange of know-how among local stakeholders and experts as well as developed “Guidelines for Municipalities” based on the findings of the STROM project funded by the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS).

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