Strengthening Regional Co-operation on SGG/R

Including a Regional Dimension in Planning and Implementing SSG/R Activities

OSCE staff engaged in implementing SSG/R activities should ensure that the challenges and opportunities of applying a regional approach are considered already at a planning stage. SSG/R needs assessments should thus include analysis of the regional dimension in order to identify potential benefits and feasibility of a regional approach, which should subsequently inform project development and design. Among other things, this involves understanding the regional political dynamics and assessing common SSG/R-related challenges in a given region. Assessments should also consider existing regional initiatives and commitments, which may provide entry points for SSG/R activities at the national level and map existing regional bodies that work with security sector institutions. Finally, assessments should also take into account lessons learned from the experiences of other States in the region in implementing similar reforms.

In considering opportunities and challenges for applying a regional approach to SSG/R activities during the planning phase, OSCE staff should take advantage of the experiences and knowledge of their colleagues from other OSCE Executive Structures, especially those operating in a given region. Regular planning and co-ordination meetings between different Executive Structures as well as various focal points networks can be used for this purpose. Different focal point networks across executive structures offer an opportunity to share experiences and knowledge resources with neighbouring field operations. In less formal settings, ad hoc consultations with colleagues working on the same thematic issues in neighbouring countries can provide invaluable input to planning and designing SSG/R activities.

These colleagues can be instrumental also during the implementation phase. They can share experiences, good practices and lessons learned from their SSG/R programmatic activities. Consultations with colleagues can also help identify opportunities for pooling resources or developing new joint regional initiatives across different OSCE Executive Structures.