Portfolio NPA Global Mine Detection Dog Training Centre

The NPA GTC is in Sarajevo in Bosnia Herzegovina and it supports all NPA programmes world wide.  Currently 18 people are employed at the centre and approx 70 dogs are under training.  The facilities have been steadily improved over the last years and are today providing an excellent frame for breeding and training of dogs, dog handlers and dog trainers. The centre has over the last couple of years built up an international recognition as one of the leading MDD centres in the world. The centre has a clear profile and a proven record that should make it an interesting partner for donors in the years to come.

The centre has been able to breed high quality dogs and has currently a capacity of producing 50 puppies a year. The centre has competent staff mainly recruited from the NPA Mine Action (MA) programme in BiH. The facilities in Sarajevo are ideal for breeding and training of dogs.

Main Objective of the Global Training Centre
The immediate development objective is in line with the NPA mine action policy paper and are formulated as

GTC is the leading provider, to MA operators, of a quality solution for cost efficient land release

This is an ambitious, but realistic aim. However, it will mean that GTC must continue to improve in all aspects. Below are some of the key activities and output needed to achieve.

GTC will formalise the cooperation with national mine action authorities such as CMAC (Cambodia) and EMAO (Ethiopia). NPA will in addition formalise cooperation with selected strategic mine action partners.

Strategically NPA wants to expand its areas of operation and respond to request for support both from NPA MA programmes and from other MA NGOs.

Secure that NPA GTC continues to be cost efficient
GTC has managed to build a good internal breeding base and the centre is not dependant on external dog purchases. There will occasionally, however, be a need to purchase specially selected dogs for breeding material. Close supervision and training of the dogs, combined with a good veterinary system is fundamental for minimizing the number of dogs that fails accreditation. There is also a continuous process to improve the tactical use of dogs to reduce down time and increase productivity.

Maintain the quality
MDD is a field under continuous changes and improvements. GTC is actively participating in international forums to learn, and it will continue to question its current practice to improve its training methodologies. The centre will also put a strong emphasis in continuing to strengthen its human resources.

A key element to secure the required quality is to continue to improve the QA system in place.

Capacity
Personnel: 18 staff

MDDs: 50 puppies that is trained to become MDDs pr year

A management and MDD structure that can support all current NPA MDD projects and at the same time assess and establish new projects every year

Donors
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Swedish Ministry of foreign affairs (SIDA)

Veidekke AS
Gilde
NERA