United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

South Eastern Europe

Exploitation and Abuse: The Scale and Scope of Human Trafficking in South-Eastern Europe

31 May 2022, Vienna, Austria: Migrants on their way from Asia to Europe are being forced to work in the construction, agriculture, and hospitality sectors by human traffickers who abuse their irregular status and fear of deportation.  

Children, often exploited by their own family members, are compelled to commit crimes that include pickpocketing, robbery, and drug dealing, while others are sexually exploited online as traffickers take advantage of the increased use of the internet and social media platforms. 

These are some of the issues explored in a new report from the UNODC on the scale and scope of human trafficking in South Eastern Europe (SEE). 

“Trafficking in persons is one of the most serious crimes and violations of human rights in this region,” says Davor Raus, an anti-trafficking expert at UNODC. “This is the first report that analyses the current and most pressing trafficking trends in the region and the challenges to combat this crime.”  

Over 450 anti-trafficking experts from 22 countries contributed to the report examining the root causes of trafficking, the profile of the victims and the perpetrators, and the recruitment methods of the traffickers.  

The report, which consolidates the findings of five regional expert meetings, also highlights successful actions that some countries are undertaking to prevent trafficking and prosecute the criminals involved.

The SEE region – which includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Kosovo under UNSCR 1244 – is a source, transit, and destination region for victims of human trafficking.

Sexual exploitation, primarily of women who are trafficked to countries and jurisdictions in Western and Southern Europe, remains the most prevalent form of the crime, while cases of labour exploitation are rising.   

“We have noticed an increasing number of cases of exploitation of men and boys in the construction, agriculture, and catering sectors.  These have been detected in European Union countries and in parts of Western Asia and Eastern Europe,” notes Raus. “Many of them were in a situation of debt bondage, which occurs when a person is forced to work to pay off a debt to an individual or agency involved in their recruitment.”

The report also covers cross-border trafficking, i.e., job seekers who travel to neighbouring countries in the region, particularly to states with a developed tourism and hospitality industry. 

Cases discussed in the expert group meetings revealed that seasonal workers in a foreign country are usually not registered and at the same time not aware of existing laws, making them more vulnerable to exploitation.  

“We heard that demand for trafficking for sexual services increases in the summer season and is more prevalent in tourist and seaside resorts,” explains Raus.  “Women and girls from the SEE region come to coastal countries to get jobs but instead are deceived and forced to provide sexual services in night clubs, bars, or on ships.”

The report outlines several recommendations on ways to reduce the demand for sex trafficking, improve the detection of cases, support victims, and secure more convictions. It also identifies several key areas that need to be addressed to improve the response to human trafficking, like enhancing the collection of data on its prevalence and access to protection and rehabilitation services for victims.  

“More needs to be done to address trafficking facilitated by online technologies and to improve regional and international cooperation to detect, investigate and prosecute trafficking cases, since a significant part of the trafficking activity takes place across borders,” adds Oliver Peyroux, sociologist and expert in human trafficking.

The report aims to help authorities and organizations engaged in the fight against human trafficking in SEE understand the current situation and to provide potential solutions to the challenges they are experiencing.  

“It will also guide the future of UNODC’s anti-human trafficking activities in this region,” adds Raus.

UNODC-OSCE Meeting on Addressing Illicit Financial Flows Linked to Afghan Opiates

30-31 May 2022, Vienna, Austria: The Paris Pact Expert Working Group meeting on “Detecting and blocking financial flows linked to illicit traffic in opiates originating in Afghanistan” (Pillar II of the Vienna Declaration) - hosted by OSCE - was joined in person and online by over 130 participants, representing 33 partner countries and 11 international and regional partner organizations.

During the meeting newly emerged challenges for countering illicit financial flows along the three main opiates trafficking routes (northern, Balkan and southern) from Afghanistan were discussed, and operational best practices for effective responses identified and shared.

The participants also discussed the security situation in Afghanistan, opiate trafficking, money and service transfer services (Hawala), inter-agency and international co-operation. They also examined challenges and developments to counter money laundering and asset recovery initiatives. Moreover, participants considered technical assistance needs and new capabilities, which can enhance the understanding and disruption of illicit financial flows.

UNODC and national experts from South Eastern Europe participated in the event with interventions on the discussed topics. The UNODC expert made a presentation on the “UNODC Support to Asset Recovery in South Eastern Europe from the perspective of the Paris Pact Initiative Priority Recommendations”, a programme implemented within the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe. Additionally,  the Serbian Ministry of Justice spoke about the “Financial Investigations Linked to Illicit Traffic of Narcotics in the Practice of the Ministry of Interior, Courts and Public Prosecutor’s Offices in the Republic of Serbia” and the expert from the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) of the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina presented  “The Role of the Financial Intelligence Department in Prevention of Money Laundering”.

The meeting concluded with the drafting of recommendations emanating from the Expert Working Group discussions. The recommendations are to be endorsed at the 16th Policy Consultative Group Meeting (PCGM), scheduled to be organized on 24-25 November 2022, in Vienna.

The Paris Pact Initiative is a broad international coalition made up of 58 partner countries and 23 organizations, for combatting illicit traffic in opiates originating in Afghanistan.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.4 on significantly reducing illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

South-Eastern Europe supported in countering drug trafficking

23-27 May 2022, Istanbul, Türkiye: UNODC organized a training on Advanced Vehicle Search for 12 border law enforcement officers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo under UNSCR 1244 in cooperation with the Turkish National Police staff from the Counter Narcotics Training Academy (NEA). Officers were exposed to advanced search techniques as utilised on the frontline of the fight against Narcotic trafficking by Turkish National Police. 

Officers were also briefed on current narcotic trafficking trends and challenges faced by Turkish Narcotic Police.  The importance of reporting emanating from this work and the benefits to strategic assessment and planning was highlighted by senior officers.

The next training will benefit Border Police and Customs Administration officers from Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania.  A regional training event on narcotic trafficking will then be planned later in 2022.

The training was delivered as part of enhanced border control efforts within the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe and continues the developing relationship between UNODC and Turkish partners in NEA.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly SDG 16.a on strengthening relevant national institutions for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

“Strengthening the Culture of Integrity” on tackling corruption in South Eastern Europe

23-24 May, Šibenik, Croatia:  The international high-level conference was held in Sibenik, Croatia, organized jointly by the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration of Croatia and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime. The event gathered justice ministers and other practitioners from the justice and public administration sectors, heads of anti-corruption authorities from the region as well as representatives on international and regional organizations, civil society and academia.

The objective of the conference was to raise the importance of the fight against corruption, from both the preventive and countering perspectives and to facilitate the sharing of best practices and approaches in this area across South Eastern Europe.  The conference also highlighted the importance of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) as the most comprehensive, legally binding and universal instrument against corruption with a comprehensive set of legal commitments made by Governments to tackle corruption in all its forms.

At the event, UNODC had the opportunity to present the efforts of the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (STAR), a joint initiative of the World Bank Group and UNODC that supports international efforts on the global level to end safe havens for corrupt funds and asset recovery. UNODC also presented  the activities and support  provided to the jurisdictions from the region in the fight against corruption, such as the initiative “From Illicit Financial Flows to Asset Recovery” as well as the Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Roadmap, both implemented in the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe, generously funded by the Government of the United Kingdom.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Targets 16.5 on substantially reducing corruption and bribery and 16.4 significantly reducing illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

Container Control Programme supported PCU Gradiška with a mentoring visit

17-19 May 2022, Gradiška, Bosnia and Herzegovina: The UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) conducted a mentoring visit to the Port Control Unit (PCU) in Gradiška, Bosnia and Herzegovina, to support assigned police and customs officers in strengthening their personal and organizational capacities to face the challenges occurring in the containerized trade supply chain. 

The mentoring visit was led by an experienced WCO technical expert, and it concentrated on the key aspects of detailed physical inspections, since this border crossing/customs point is one of the busiest in the country. During the mentoring visit activity the PCU selected and inspected several containerized shipments, also using a mobile scanner.

Aside from the regular activities of risk analysis and profiling, the PCU officers had an opportunity to discuss other topics relevant to their daily work. Special attention was given to environmental crime, especially on Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and waste detection as a possible threat for this border crossing/customs point.

The three-day in-person mentoring activity has been implemented within the EU-UNODC action on promoting the rule of law and good governance through targeted border control measures at ports and airports, funded by the European Union and implemented by AIRCOP and CCP in cooperation with the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly SDG 16.a on strengthening relevant national institutions for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

UNODC discusses synergies in providing anti-corruption technical assistance with international partners

18 May 2022, Belgrade, Serbia: UNODC and the EU funded project “Strenthening Rule of Law in Serbia“, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ-German Development Agency), met to discuss the respective initiatives in Serbia with the aim to ensure complementarity in the provision of technical assistance in the area of anti-corruption and asset recovery.

During the meeting, UNODC provided an overview of its activities under the UNODC Regional Programme of South Eastern Europe, which provides the framework for UNODC activities in Serbia and the region. Specific emphasis was put on the ongoing regional projects on anti-corruption and asset recovery as GIZ informed about their initiatives aimed to enhance the capacities of the authorities in Serbia to implement the revised Action plan on Chapter 23 of the EU acquis. The counterparts agreed to keep each other informed on the respective activities to avoid duplications and ensure synergies of actions in the region.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Targets 16.5 on substantially reducing corruption and bribery and 16.4 significantly reducing illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Roadmap in Serbia

17 May 2022, Belgrade, Serbia: UNODC met with the leadership of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption in light of commencement of the activities under the project “Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Roadmap for the Western Balkans”. The meeting served to discuss the implementation of the Roadmap in Serbia and identify opportunities to support long-term and sustainable anti-corruption efforts of Serbia as well as the alignment of the Roadmap objectives with the anti-corruption priorities of the country.

UNODC and the Agency reviewed the outstanding priorities in the fight against corruption and agreed on the next steps and the continuation of the dialogue along the objectives of the Roadmap, which will result in the delivery of tangible anti-corruption/anti-illicit finance measures in line with the standards set by the United Nations Convention against Corruption and other relevant international instruments.

In the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe, UNODC in partnership with the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) carried out consultations with the six South East European jurisdictions to identify the most salient common priorities in the areas of anti-corruption and illicit finance. As a result, on 25 June 2021 in Ohrid, North Macedonia, the Governments of the region  formally adopted the Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Roadmap.

UNODC supports the implementation of the Roadmap through two regional projects, conducted within the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe and funded by the Government of the UK.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.5 on substantially reducing corruption and bribery. 

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice

UNODC and OSCE joint support to North Macedonia in counter-terrorism financing investigations

13 May 2022, Ohrid, North Macedonia: UNODC jointly with OSCE organized a four-day training course on strengthening North Macedonia’s capacity to identify, investigate and prosecute the financing of terrorism.

A total of 24 experts from the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Customs Administration, the Financial Police Office, the Intelligence Agency, the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Justice, Financial Intelligence Office, and the Agency for National Security learned about techniques and methods to assist in the successful carrying out of counter-terrorism investigations. The course particularly aimed at strengthening inter-agency cooperation through joint work on localized scenarios. The participants had an opportunity to identify existing gaps in the detection, investigation, and prevention of terrorism and its financing as well as gain practical knowledge and skills on efficient practices for conducting investigations of financial crimes.

A team of eight local trainers, supported by lead experts, delivered the course. The trainers completed a train-the-trainer course held in March in Vienna where the co-produced scenarios were tailored to the context of North Macedonia.

To strengthen links with international partners, a representative of the EUROPOL European Counter Terrorism Centre presented their work during an online session.

The training course, organized with the financial support of the United States, is part of a progressively advanced training programme for North Macedonia on countering terrorism financing, jointly implemented by OSCE and UNODC since June 2021.

The multi-year programme aims at building up North Macedonia’s counter-terrorism financing framework and increasing the country’s capacity to detect and combat terrorist financing. In addition, it will contribute to strengthening compliance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and Financial Action Task Force standards.

This work is conducted in the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe in cooperation with the UNODC Global Programme Against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime, and the Financing of Terrorism (GPML).

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.4 to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

Financial Investigations and Confiscation of Assets in North Macedonia

12-13 May, Ohrid, North Macedonia: UNODC facilitated the organization of the second official meeting of the National Commission for monitoring the implementation of the National Strategy for Financial Investigations and Confiscation of Assets.

The meeting was attended by more than 15 members of the National Commission from the relevant institutions of North Macedonia, including Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Financial Police, Tax Administration, Customs Office, Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister, Public Prosecutor’s Office, Criminal Court, Asset Recovery Office, Agency for Management of Seized Assets and Judicial Academy. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the current state of implementation of the National Strategy and to draft the bi-annual report on implementation of the Strategy that will be presented to the Government of North Macedonia. UNODC will continue to provide support to the work of the National Commission with the objective to establish systematic monitoring and evaluation of the activities undertaken by the relevant authorities to achieve the targeted goals.

The UNODC asset recovery activities in South Eastern Europe are conducted within the project “From Illicit Financial Flows to Asset Recovery” in the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe and funded by the Government of the United Kingdom.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.4 to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

South-Eastern Europe tackles drug trafficking

9-13 May 2022, Belgrade, Serbia: The UNODC-WCO-INTERPOL Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP) organized a regional training on “New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), synthetic drugs and precursors”.

Building on the outcomes of the regional event and exchange program that took place in Rome in November/December 2021, 11 experts of the Italian Central Directorate for the Anti-drug Services led the technical sessions aimed at raising the awareness and the interdiction capabilities for 31 officers from Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina currently engaged in the establishment of AIRCOP/CCP inter-agency groups at the airports in Belgrade, Skopje and Sarajevo.

The effective cooperation with the Italian Central Directorate for the Anti-drug Services, as well as with the EU law enforcement agencies represents an asset for the technical assistance provision in South Eastern Europe aimed to enhance the capacity of the law enforcement agencies in addressing cross-cutting threats targeting borders.

The expert-led sessions presented the overall aspects of the NPS, synthetic drugs and precursors, including production techniques, routes, trends, chemical aspects, handling dangerousness, as well as the international cooperation related tools against the spreading of trafficking of synthetic drugs and precursors as an embedded and significant component of the illicit business generated by the international crime organizations.

The regional workshop on NPS, synthetic drugs and precursors has been carried out in the framework of the joint EU-UNODC action on promoting rule of law and good governance through targeted border control measures at ports and airports, funded by the EU and implemented by AIRCOP and UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) in cooperation with the Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly SDG 16.a on strengthening relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

South-Eastern Europe addresses trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation

11-12 May 2022, Dubrovnik, Croatia: UNODC held a reginal conference on “Improving Response to Trafficking in Person for Sexual Exploitation, especially Women and Girls, through Addressing Demand in South Eastern Europe” attended by 50 anti-human trafficking experts from around 20 countries and territories to discuss measures to tackle sex trafficking in South Eastern Europe by focusing on the demand that fuels sexual exploitation.

Regular research, conducted by UNODC, consistently shows that the most detected form of human trafficking is for the purpose of sexual exploitation - with the majority of victims being women and girls. “Demand is the bridge between the victim and the trafficker – without the demand, there would not be the supply,” said the Head of UNODC’s Global Programmes against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. “Traditional counter-trafficking strategies focus on prevention activities aimed at reducing the vulnerability of potential victims. But, today, it is clear that effective strategies need to include demand reduction. We need to fight this crime from all sides,” she added.

Diane Martin, a survivor of trafficking who was sexually exploited in her late teens in London and the Middle East, told the conference participants that “now is the time to focus on demand that fuels and sustains the oppressive system of prostitution and sex trafficking”. She has spent the past 25 years supporting women to exit prostitution and rebuild their lives and is the Vice President of the International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council.

Considering that South Eastern Europe registers high levels of domestic trafficking and is a constant source of victims who are trafficked to Western and Southern Europe, countries of origin, transit, and destination for trafficking of victims from South Eastern and other parts of Europe were represented at the event.

Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and representatives from anti-human trafficking units, as well as civil society, academia, ministerial offices, and the private sector who were present at the event discussed not only what is working but also focused on the challenges and obstacles and how to improve cooperation.   

The UNODC regional conference was organized in cooperation with the Office for Human Rights and Rights of National Minorities of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and OSCE and was funded by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, and sponsored by the City of Dubrovnik.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.2 to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

Regional meeting on harmonization of firearms-related case law in South-Eastern Europe

11-12 May 2022, Belgrade, Serbia: The UNODC Global Firearms Programme (GFP) held a regional meeting on harmonization of firearms-related case law. The meeting gathered 40 judges and prosecutors from the South Eastern European jurisdictions, alongside representatives from national judicial academies.

Under the scope of the regional project “Criminal Justice Response against Arms Trafficking”, UNODC GFP initially analyzed 211 adjudicated firearms-related cases, and subsequently systematized and drafted local case law collections. They also contain a reflection on the criminal legislation in-force and official opinions of the highest court instances on contentious legal questions. In some of the jurisdictions, the case law collections were further supplemented during the series of workshops and obtained inputs from competent judges.

The meeting primarily served as a criminal justice practitioners’ platform, which resulted in a joint consideration of documented practices in prosecuting and adjudicating firearms-related cases and exchange of information on current and emerging contentious legal questions, procedural issues and sentencing practices in firearms-related cases.

The participants identified areas UNODC GFP should extend its engagement in analyzing and compiling firearms-related case law and utilizing developed case law collections for educational purposes, in close cooperation with national judicial academies.                 

This activity is implemented with the financial support provided by Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, and Norway through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Trust Fund and supported by the European Union.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.4 to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

International cooperation to improve trade security supported in South-Eastern Europe

10-12 May 2022, Port of Piraeus, Greece: The UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) facilitated a study visit to the Port of Piraeus in Greece for 12 customs and police officers of the Port Control Unit (PCU) Bar, Montenegro, and the PCU Bijaca, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This study visit tackled  all forms of trafficking and provided the necessary capacity building for the PCUs and customs and police administrations in the South Eastern European (SEE) region to combat this threat.

During the three-day study visit, the Greek customs and police officers provided insight into their work at the Port of Piraeus to their counterparts from Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina who had an opportunity to see the x-ray scanners used in the Port and their operation, in addition to the physical inspection of containers by specially trained dogs.

The delegation went on to visit the Drugs Department of the Hellenic Police in Athens, where the Chief of the Drugs Department, presented operational tactical measures and actions of the Greek Police in the pre-investigation procedure, communication with the Prosecutor's Office, and undercover surveillance measures and their proper use.

During the visit all participants exchanged on the structure and operation of their respective administrations, and shared experiences and knowledge applicable to enhancing border control capacities in the region. On this occasion, a case of seizure of cigarettes was presented by the Greek counterparts, an illegal cargo of cigarettes disguised as a shipment of printing paper which revealed to be the subject of an ongoing investigation conducted by the officers of PCU Bar. This demonstrated the importance of information sharing and the overall significance of UNODC's efforts in supporting the authorities of the region in strengthening trade security, and border controls.

This study visit was a continuation of efforts to enhance the capabilities of SEE in addressing border security threats. The activity has been implemented within the EU-UNODC action on promoting rule of law and good governance through targeted border control measures at ports and airports, funded by the European Union and implemented by AIRCOP and CCP in cooperation with the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly SDG Target 16.a on strengthening relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets

Private sector plays an important role in combating corruption in South-Eastern Europe

11 May 2022, Tirana, Albania: Corruption may affect all types of businesses — from global companies to small and medium-sized enterprises — therefore, the private sector has a vital role in promoting integrity.  With this in mind, the UNODC Civil Society Unit together with the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) and the International Chamber of Commerce in Albania organized the workshop on Implementing the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in South Eastern Europe: private sector integrity. The event brought together 20 representatives from small enterprises, Chambers of Commerce, business Unions and other entities from across the region.  

Implementing evidence-based family skills programmes in Serbia

9-10 May 2022, Belgrade, Serbia: Following the first training on the Strong Families Programme that UNODC organized in October 2021 for 36 school psychologists and pedagogues from selected schools in nine out of the 18 school districts of Serbia, this week UNODC organized the second training for additional 36 school psychologists and pedagogues from remaining nine school districts, reaching full national coverage.  Both trainings were organized in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological development and the OSCE Mission in Serbia. 

The SF programme is an evidence-based programme, backed by scientific evidence on its effectiveness in terms of developing family skills to support the healthy and safe development of children regardless of their gender and preventing drug use, violence (including against children), mental health and other negative social and health outcomes. The programme can be easily adapted to serve families in challenged and stressful settings in different contexts. 

The training on SF particularly familiarized the participants with the content and means of implementation of the programme in their line of work including by teaching how to support parents and their children in overcoming the stresses that the adolescent period brings and what it means to be an effective facilitator and mediator illustrated by practical sessions. 

Following the completion of the training, the participants received a certificate and as a next step will incorporate the acquired knowledge into their work with families and will also go on to deliver the same training to their peers to reach maximum impact. 

An online “eLearning” platform of Strong Families was developed by UNODC in Serbian language to further support the facilitators during the implementation and scale up phases.  

This activity contributes to SDG 3, particularly Target 3.5 on preventing and treating substance abuse.

For more information:

Strong_families_Brochure.pdf (unodc.org)

Family-UNited-leaflet-20200218.pdf (unodc.org)

Related publication:

Assessing the Feasibility of Providing a Family Skills Intervention, “Strong Families”, for Refugee Families Residing in Reception Centers in Serbia "2279 (unodc.org)