Trafficking in Human Beings in Southeastern Europe - Iom

Trafficking in Human Beingsin Southeastern EuropeSummary andRecommendationsconcrete steps for achieving goals, nor do they identify responsible institutionsor budgets to finance the proposed activities.Secondly, another type of NPA has been created in response to the situationon the ground and to the most urgent needs. These plans are less comprehensive,but are focused on concrete and sometimes even very particularactivities. They also include budget requirements or suggestions about theallocation of funds to implement proposed activities. Some parts of theseNPAs are already in the process of being implemented, other parts still haveto be developed.It is too early to evaluate the effectiveness of the NPAs and governmental programmes,as they are still in the process of development. Although the theoreticalframework and proposals are already in place, the real process ofestablishing working structures is far from finished and the implementation ofthe NPAs has barely started. The assessment of the activities organised withinthe frameworks of the NPAs will be possible only in 2003, when the first resultsand achievements of the anti-trafficking activities mapped out in the NPAs canbe assessed.1.1.2. Recommendations• Elaborate the priorities, time frames and means for the implementationof the NPAs, including specific activities, partners, budgets andpossible sources of funding;• Expand NPAs, if necessary, to cover all areas of concern and to functionas a comprehensive framework for national anti-trafficking initiativesand international co-operation;• Include local NGOs and international organisations in implementationof the NPAs;• Report on the implementation of the NPAs to SPTTF.1.2. Role of international organisations: summary andrecommendationsIn the first phase of anti-trafficking actions, the international organisationsplayed a co-ordinating role, supporting NGOs (mostly through financial assistance)and trying to mobilise government interest and involvement. They providedinformation to the governments, secured exchange of information atregional and international levels and supported the work, co-operation andcapacity building of local and international NGOs. The international organisationsin the region also function as donors, supporting local projects organisedby international and local NGOs.However, the elaboration of the NPAs referred ownership of national anti-traffickinginitiatives to governments in the region. The capacity of governmentalbodies is still weak and local institutions require support in terms of technicalexpertise and funding. In this context, the main role of the international agenciesshould be to support capacity building of the local institutions and sustainabilityof the projects. In particular, international organisations should notestablish new usually expensive projects that are unsustainable and notalways relevant to the situation on the ground. International organisations canstill co-operate with governments and NGOs as partners on concrete projects,but the responsibility should be handed over to the national institutionsresponsible for the implementation of the different parts of the NPAs.154Of all the international organisations, IOM is the one which plays the mostprominent role in the region, as it runs many projects to raise awareness, andon return and reintegration. IOM has developed a whole system of support for