The first Steering Committee (SC) meeting of the project Providing for effective reintegration of violent extremist offenders in Bosnia and Herzegovina (PER-VEO) – Phase II was held on 16 February 2026 in Bijeljina, bringing together key stakeholders from the three Ministries of Justice and Ministry of Security of BiH. 

The SC members reflected on the results of the first phase of the project, discussed ongoing challenges and planned activities, and unanimously supported the project’s workplan for the next six months. They also emphasised the exceptional cooperation with the Council of Europe and reiterated their commitment to further strengthening their efforts in rehabilitation and reintegration of violent extremist offenders.

The members discussed the importance of ensuring lasting impact of the achievements, whereas the Head of Unit II of the Cooperation in Police and Deprivation of Liberty Division highlighted the need to bolster sustainability of all project activities by adopting the developed procedures, training programmes and guidelines at the level of Ministries of Justice and within each of the 14 prisons.

In addition, they got acquainted with the results and planned activities of the regional action on “Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in managing violent extremism in prisons and preventing further radicalisation after release” implemented under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.

The Council of Europe Project Providing for effective reintegration of violent extremist offenders in Bosnia and Herzegovina (PER-VEO) – Phase II is implemented under the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026-2029 and funded through voluntary contributions.