Raising awareness on SALW-related risks
In 2025, SEESAC strengthened regional awareness-raising efforts by continuing regional cooperation and exchange efforts, further strengthening local-level capacities, expanding a set of knowledge tools available, and supporting campaigns where needed.
Jahorina
7th Meeting of the Regional Awareness Raising Task Force
A key driver behind these activities was the Regional Awareness-Raising Task Force (RAR Task Force), which convened its 7th meeting in Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Task Force brought together representatives of Ministries of Interior and police services from across the Western Balkans, and the Republic of Moldova to present and discuss their recent work, analyze emerging trends, and undergo a joint capacity building exercise –a training on the use of data for creating effective awareness campaigns.
Petrovac
Practical training on the utilization of social media for the Ministry of Interior and Police
Significant progress was also achieved through a set of local-level capacity-building activities aimed at advancing the institutional ability to design and deliver impactful awareness initiatives.
Eight (8) local-level trainings were organized, four each in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on campaign planning and design,
crisis communication during firearms-related incidents, public speaking, and effective use of social media.
Belgrade
Presentation of the key findings and recommendations from the Analysis of Media Reporting on Firearms Misuse in Male Gender-Based Violence Against Women
Important advances were also made in improving regional knowledge and communication tools.
Key findings and recommendations from the
Analysis of Media Reporting on Firearms Misuse in Male Gender-Based Violence Against Women were
presented to the public. The Analysis contributes to more informed, ethical, and victim-sensitive reporting by the media.
The
Guidelines for Communication in Crisis Situations Linked to Firearms were finalized and published, together with the
Guidelines for Effective Utilization of Social Media in Awareness-Raising Efforts. These knowledge products both respond to explicit requests for support from RAR Task Force participants and complement regional and local-level trainings.
SEESAC also continued the support of the social media aspect of a 'Celebrate with your heart, not your gun' campaign that has been ongoing in Kosovo[1] throughout 2024 and 2025.
These interventions strengthened the region's ability to communicate effectively on SALW-related risks, promote safer behaviours, and support evidence-based violence prevention efforts.
[1] For the United Nations Development Programme, references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). For the European Union, this designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
