The four-day specialised programme brought together 35 investigators and prosecutors from across the Western Balkans to strengthen cross-border cooperation in the fight against serious and organised crime.

Designed to foster a collaborative learning environment, the training combined interactive workshops, plenary discussions, and role-playing simulations to address both the operational and legal aspects of JITs.

Key topics included understanding the concept and benefit of JITs, the support mechanisms available through Eurojust, and the distinct roles of actors involved in a JIT. Under the guidance of expert trainers, participants engaged in hands-on exercises, such as drafting and amending JIT agreements based on real-life scenarios.

The immersive sessions also featured simulations of Eurojust coordination meetings, target-setting exercises for operational action days, and role-plays replicating the work of a coordination centre during joint operations. This year’s edition placed particular emphasis on critical thematic areas, such as money laundering, asset recovery, and interregional cooperation with Latin American countries.

Participants explored the full range of support available from the JITs Network Secretariat and the WBCJ project, gaining a clearer understanding of the resources that facilitate effective cross-border investigations.

By the end of the programme, participants had developed a stronger grasp of JITs as a key instrument for international judicial and law enforcement cooperation, along with greater confidence in applying this knowledge within their own jurisdictions.