Strengthening CBRN Criminal Justice in the Western Balkans under the European Union CBRN Centres of Excellence

Strengthening criminal justice systems is essential to effective CBRN risk mitigation. While many partner countries have advanced their preparedness and response capacities, the investigation and prosecution of CBRN-related crimes remain highly complex, requiring specialised expertise, solid legal frameworks and close coordination across multiple sectors. To help address these gaps, the EU CBRN CoE Initiative is launching a new pilot regional project, Strengthening the CBRN Investigation, Prosecution, and Adjudication Capabilities, designed to build coherent, end-to-end capabilities that link frontline response with judicial processes. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia will directly benefit from this targeted programme, which aims to establish a comprehensive and sustainable framework for CBRN criminal justice. It connects frontline response with courtroom adjudication, covering the full spectrum of CBRN crime management: from securing crime scenes to delivering final legal rulings. 

Key components of the initiative include the development of robust legal frameworks, strengthening specialized knowledge and laboratory resources, deploying advanced forensic tools and promoting effective interagency collaboration. Regular practical exercises, such as tabletop simulations and drills, are also integral to the programme. 

The training package encompasses all essential elements for building strong criminal cases and is structured around five progressive modules: 

• Tabletop Exercise: Mapping interagency coordination and identifying operational priorities, needs, and gaps.
• CBRN Criminalisation Workshop: Understanding international legal frameworks and their domestic application.
• Building a Case for Prosecution: A step-by-step comprehensive training course guiding investigations and prosecutions from CBRN crime scene to courtroom.
• Mock Trial / Moot Court: Conducting simulated legal proceedings under national law.
• Train-the-Trainer (TTT): Empowering national institutions to ensure long-term sustainability and ownership. 

In response to requests from partner countries, the EU CBRN CoE Initiative also published the “Prosecutor’s Guide to CBRN Crimes” in 2022 and 2024. Developed in close collaboration with international organisations, these manuals align with global mandates and standards for the safe and secure management of CBRN materials. 

The six-month programme requires strong commitment from beneficiary countries, including nominating relevant trainees and integrating the training outcomes into national structures. 

This pilot builds on successful earlier implementations in Moldova and Ukraine, completed in the first half of 2025. The Western Balkans will now benefit from the lessons learned and best practices from these efforts. 

As part of the EU’s broader commitment to enhancing CBRN safety and security across its neighbourhood, the project aligns closely with regional strategic priorities. 

The project is fully funded by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments and implemented by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), reaffirming the EU’s commitment to strengthening global CBRN risk mitigation and justice systems.