A training session aimed at enhancing skills in training, mentoring, monitoring, and evaluation was held on 22-23 October in Sarajevo for the project's core group of local trainers, as well as participants from the justice ministries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Republika Srpska. Trainers from correctional facilities in Zenica, Bijeljina, Mostar, and the State Prison participated as well.

This session is part of a broader initiative that includes the development of the "Basic and Specialist Training Syllabus for Prison Staff Working with Violent Extremist Prisoners," specialised trainings for multidisciplinary teams from all prisons, a Training-for-Trainers event, the ongoing roll-out of basic trainings on management of violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) and other prisoners vulnerable to radicalisation in prisons across Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the strengthening of capacities of the Points of Contact (PoC) within newly established Prison Intelligence Units.

The goal of this activity was to work directly with the core local trainers to improve their individual training abilities and personal competencies in delivering trainings to their peers in penitentiary establishments. Emphasis was also placed on enhancing their mentoring skills, as well as their capacity to monitor and evaluate. The latter is particularly important because these core trainers will be responsible for overseeing and supporting prison staff in delivering basic trainings to their peers, as well as for providing individual coaching to trainers in each prison. Moreover, they will help develop capacities of the PoC towards strengthened operational work within prison. The overall objective of this activity is to strengthen the capacities within local penitentiary institutions by ensuring sustainability and enhanced skills in training to be provided in the future

Giving feedback on the training, its participants praised the practical exercises, such as SWOT analysis and 3D modelling, along with the overall interactive approach of the trainers. The knowledge and skills developed during the two-day session will be valuable in their roles as core local trainers. Additionally, participants reported increased confidence when it comes to mentoring of their peers as well as in monitoring and evaluating of ongoing activities.

The overarching aim of this initiative led by the Council of Europe is to help raise the level of understanding and practical skills among prison staff working with VEPs as well as among staff of the relevant local institutions about the phenomenon of violent extremism, the radicalisation process, as well as the practice of integrated case management and support provided to prisoners in the preparation for release and upon release. It further strives to enhance the inter-institutional cooperation to ensure sustainability of the actions undertaken towards efficient reintegration of VEPs back in the community.

This activity was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe action “Ensuring Sustainable Penitentiary Actions in managing rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ESPA-VEP)”, funded under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025.