Norway has provided a new funding contribution worth NOK 5 million to the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Multi-Partner Trust Fund.

As one of the six key contributors and partners, Norway has provided funding support to the Trust Fund since its establishment in 2019. With the latest contribution, Norway has contributed a total of NOK 20 million, or approximately US$ 2 million to the Trust Fund.

“We attach great importance to promoting reforms and stability in the Western Balkans, in close collaboration with the EU and other partners. The implementation of the Roadmap for SALW control in the Western Balkans is an integral part of the efforts to sustainably enhance stability and security in the region. The SALW Control Multi-Partner Trust Fund allows us and our partners to have a coordinated approach towards the Roadmap implementation. The projects funded by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund remain an important contribution to reaching Roadmap Goals.” said Mr. Lars Andersen, Director of the Section for South East Europe at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Multi-Partner Trust Fund supports a donor- and jurisdiction-coordinated approach to the implementation of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition in the Western Balkans. It strengthens coordination, planning and communication among all partners, fosters collaboration, and reduces risks to governments and financial contributors.

Established in March 2019 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as Participating UN Organisations, the Trust Fund has benefitted from a strong cooperation with Germany and France, as the initiators of the Roadmap, that were soon joined by the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands. Due to the generosity and commitment of these donors, the Trust Fund mobilised contributions exceeding USD 27.5 million.

Thus far, the Trust Fund’s Steering Committee has approved the funding of 24 projects in support of the Roadmap implementation, for a total amount of US$ 25.4 million. The projects are implemented by the Participating UN Organisations, UNDP and UNODC, across the Western Balkans region. UNDP SEESAC functions as the Secretariat of the Trust Fund and is responsible for the overall coordination and monitoring of the Trust Fund, providing technical, management, planning and programming support.

Originally published on www.seesac.org