NPA strengthens arms control capacities in Bosnia and Herzegovina through specialised police training
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has successfully completed specialised training under a project focused on the marking, labelling and registration of weapons, as well as the digitalisation of weapons data management systems under the authority of the Federal Police Administration (FUP).
The training equipped 11 officers from the Federal Police Administration with the knowledge and practical skills required to implement new procedures and use modern digital tools for managing data on official and other weapons.
“This training is about giving police institutions the tools they need to maintain effective control over weapons and ensure full traceability throughout their lifecycle,” said Igor Gacanovic, NPA’s Global Small Arms, Light Weapons (SALW) Project Development Advisor. “Strong procedures and reliable digital systems are essential for preventing diversion and misuse.”
The project is implemented by NPA within the Bosnia and Herzegovina AWE Masterplan, with support from the UN Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation (UNSCAR), and is expected to be fully implemented by June.
“By strengthening institutional capacity and introducing modern data management solutions, this project supports long-term sustainability and accountability in arms control,” Gacanovic added.
A unique initiative in the Western Balkans
This initiative is unique in the Western Balkans, with Bosnia and Herzegovina currently the only country in the region undertaking such comprehensive work on weapons marking, registration and digitalised data management.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is setting an important example for the region,” said Gacanovic. “The systems being developed here demonstrate how practical, technical measures can significantly strengthen national arms control frameworks.”
The project has already been successfully implemented in Brčko District, Posavina Canton and Canton 10. Following the successful project implementation. , activities will continue in the West Herzegovina Canton. With support from our donor UNSCAR, funding has been secured to extend the project to an additional Canton next year.
Contributing to regional and European security
Beyond its national importance, the project contributes to enhanced security across the Western Balkans and the European Union, particularly through improved police capacity to combat illicit arms trafficking.
“Illicit arms flows do not stop at national borders,” Gacanovic said. “By strengthening control mechanisms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are also contributing to broader regional and European security.”
Through this work, NPA continues to support practical, sustainable measures that strengthen national institutions and reduce the risks associated with the illicit spread of small arms and light weapons.
