Security, Justice and Home Affairs

In line with the “Fundamentals first” approach of the European Commission, Chapters 23 and 24 are the first ones to be opened and the last ones to be closed during the accession negotiations. Many CSOs implement activities related to Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Right), which has been also recognized by the donor community. On the other side, Chapter 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) remains outside the actors’ interest, despite its importance and extensiveness as well as the obvious problems that the country is facing in this policy area. Reasons for this include lack of capacity of the CSOs, limited donor support, weak networks, lack of transparency of the security sector institutions and limited knowledge among the organizations.

In the upcoming years, EUROTHINK will keep its structured and focused approach in dealing with these issues, through its program “Security, Justice and Home Affairs”. EUROTHINK will advocate for transparent and accountable security sector institutions that will be able to address the contemporary security threats in an effective and efficient manner. That is, the program will encompass activities directed towards the following topics: 1) Good governance in the security sector through promotion of transparent and accountable institutions subjected to strong democratic oversight and control; 2) Public safety, fight against organized crime and corruption; 3) Combating and preventing national security threats, challenges, vulnerabilities and risks (such as terrorism, violent extremism cyber threats, external influences, hybrid threats etc.; 4) International security; 5) Migration, asylum and freedom of movement.