Beneficiaries and public actors across the Western Balkans gathered in Durres / Albania to reshape the results of enhanced cross-border co-operation in managing violent extremist prisoners and offenders, in a 2-day conference organised with the support of the EU and Council of Europe.

Experts and practitioners from across the Western Balkans, EU members, international partners, as well representatives from prison and probation services, relevant ministries, civil society organisations, and religious communities had the opportunity to exchange on best practices, discuss emerging challenges, and identify effective joint approaches to the rehabilitation and reintegration of violent extremist prisoners and offenders (VEPs/VEOs), as well as other prisoners vulnerable to radicalisation.

Participants underscored that sustainable rehabilitation and successful reintegration can only be achieved through continuous inter-agency co-operation, co-ordinated interventions, and active engagement of local communities. They reaffirmed that a comprehensive “whole-of-society” approach remains essential for reducing recidivism, preventing further radicalisation, and supporting long-term community safety and resilience. This includes clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all actors relevant in the provision of post-release support as well as established mechanisms for information-sharing and inter-agency co-operation between actors. In this context, building the capacities of all relevant institutions and stakeholders is crucial to ensuring effective rehabilitation and reintegration. During the discussions, participants further emphasised the importance of systematically monitoring rehabilitation and reintegration progress to ensure continuity, accountability, and the effectiveness of interventions.

A dedicated segment of the conference addressed the gender dimension of radicalisation, examining the role of women in extremist organisations, gender-sensitive rehabilitation approaches, and lessons learned from working with women returnees in the Western Balkans. The conference conclusions provide a basis for improving “whole-of-society” responses to VEPs/ VEOs in the region, strengthening rehabilitation and reintegration efforts and reducing the risk of recidivism.

The conference was followed by the 7^th Steering Committee of the regional action on "Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in the managing violent extremism in prisons and preventing further radicalisation after release" was held, where Beneficiary representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia valued the continued co-operation with the Council of Europe, took stock of the main accomplishments and discussed priorities that require further support in the field of P/CVE in the region. These activities were  organised by the regional action on "Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in the managing violent extremism in prisons and preventing further radicalisation after release", within the framework of EU and Council of Europe joint programme Horizontal Facility III.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence