EU and Western Balkans Training Project

ended

The project is built around three main objectives. First, the full implementation of the EU level PNR training strategy and the underlying coordination mechanism – which will leading to making available quality managed, consistent and regularly updated actual PNR training materials –, and to the implementation of EU level trainings. The second objective is the implementation of operational pilots focusing on PNR data exchange, complemented with workshops. Both objectives are to be realised in cooperation with cooperation/with the participation of the European passenger information units (PIUs) and Europol. Therefore, the actions will contribute to the increased understanding of the participating PIUs’ staff on each other’s working and PNR data processing/analysing methods as well as on the, applying national regulations. In addition, these activities will result in an increased capabilities of EU PIUs’ staff in processing, analysing and using PNR data as well as in a common understanding on the principles and practical implementation of data exchange. In a longer term, the project is to support the establishment of a more intense and effective PNR data exchange and operational cooperation between the PIUs and Europol. Third objective is the implementation of awareness raising and training activities, targeted to at the Western Balkan countries, on EU PNR policies, legislation and on the practical use, processing and analysing of PNR data. The connected activities will increase their understanding on the EU PNR environment and the processing of PNR data. They are expected to support respective law enforcement authorities in setting up legislation aligned to the greatest possible extent with the EU legal environment, and they will enhance their the WBs’ preparedness for implementing PNR capabilities in the future. In addition, the project will look into to the wider context of PNR/travel data analysis from the PIUs perspective and exchanging relevant experiences with 3rd countries. A number of workshops (VTC based and regular meetings), conferences, PNR training related events, PNR data exchange/analysis pilots as well as visits to the WBs will be implemented within the project. The direct beneficiaries of the project activities are the EU Member States and the Western Balkan countries. The staff of the European passenger information units can make immediate use of the project results. The increased and improved PNR data exchange and operational cooperation will have positive effect on longer term too. Activities targeted to the WBs are expected to show their positive effects on mid- and longer term as well.