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Think bigger
than bullets

Think bigger
than bullets

The Power of Fewer Weapons

In a world where arms threaten stability, disarmament isn’t just about reducing the number of guns - it’s about restoring trust and safety. Weapons represent more than violence; they symbolize fear and division, fueling cycles of insecurity.

At its core, disarmament breaks these cycles, replacing bullets with dialogue allowing communities to heal and rebuild without the looming shadow of violence. In an era where conflict spreads rapidly, disarmament is the key to slowing that tide, reinforcing the social fabric, and laying the foundation for lasting peace. 

know the stakes: armed violence monitoring
Understanding armed violence is the first step in stopping it.

SEESAC’s Armed Violence Monitoring Platform delivers real-time data and in-depth analysis of firearm incidents throughout Southeast Europe.

This crucial tool helps policy makers identify problem areas and take targeted action to reduce armed violence, keeping our communities safer.
uniting for a #saferregion
Building a #SaferRegion starts with collaboration.

SEESAC brings together security experts from across Southeast and East Europe on a regular basis.
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Through strategic and operational platforms, we foster information and knowledge sharing, joint planning to tackle the illicit possession, misuse, and trafficking of SALW, as well as advancing gender equality in the security sector.
The Laws that Protect Us
A strong legal framework is the backbone of any safe society.

SEESAC helps the authorities develop effective SALW control legal frameworks harmonized with the EU Acquis and international obligations.

By conducting gap assessments, providing technical advice, and supporting working groups in developing laws, we ensure communities have effective and harmonized laws and strategies.
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Disrupting the Supply Chain of Violence
Stopping the illegal flows of weapons is key to reducing violence.

SEESAC addresses this challenge with a regional approach, working to standardize practices across Southeast Europe.

By conducting needs assessments, developing standardized operating procedures, and providing specialized training and essential equipment, we empower law enforcement to strengthen the region’s ability to disrupt illegal weapons flows.
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Guarding the Gates - Securing Weapons Stockpiles
Preventing weapons from falling into the wrong hands is critical.

SEESAC helps authorities secure their stockpiles. Through infrastructure upgrades, destruction of surplus weapons, the implementation of improved management systems, and specialised training, we ensure the authorities have the skills, resources and tools to keep weapons safe and secure.
Empowering change
Even though there's been progress in bringing gender perspectives into arms control policies, challenges still exist - especially when it comes to preventing firearm misuse in domestic violence.

SEESAC is working to tackle these challenges by creating practical tools like guidelines for police officers, organizing specialized training, and conducting research. By taking these steps, SEESAC ensures that arms control measures consider the impact on both women and men, helping to create a safer and more inclusive society.
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Arm Yourself with Facts
Good decisions come from good information. That’s why we focus on gathering and sharing the facts about SALW-related issues and their underlying causes and effects.

Through detailed research and regular reports, we build a knowledge base that helps communities and stakeholders make informed decisions, creating safer and more secure environments.
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think bigger than bullets
Awareness-raising serves as a powerful tool in disarmament efforts and one that strives towards achieving a long-term goal - behavioural change.

SEESAC actively supports awareness-raising efforts that bring to the front and centre of public debate issues such as voluntary weapon surrender, risks of celebratory shootings and unsafe weapons keeping, and the role of firearms in gender-based violence. To enrich the discourses and ensure that stakeholders are well-equipped with the facts needed to make meaningful changes, SEESAC convenes the Regional Awareness-raising Task Force, organizes joint trainings for journalists, police and prosecutors’ offices, provides knowledge products, guidelines, and other resources.
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balancing power
Achieving sustainable peace and human rights requires the full participation of women and men, including in military and armed forces. Over the years, SEESAC has supported South East Europe governments in integrating gender perspectives into security sector policies, in line with the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.

By fostering regional cooperation, SEESAC strengthens mainstreaming gender equality mechanisms, combats discrimination and promotes gender-responsive recruitment, professional development and leadership in the Ministries of Defence and Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, increasing women's participation and embedding gender perspectives into military curricula for lasting change.
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Navigating the Path to a #SaferRegion
In a world striving for disarmament and peace, the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap provides a sustainable path to arms control, aiming to make the region safer and a stable partner in global security. Rooted in regional cooperation and SEESAC’s expertise, the Roadmap helps the authorities to tackle illegal possession, misuse, and trafficking of firearms, ammunition and explosives, all while aligning with EU and international standards.

Supported by the EU, Germany, and France, it has driven legislative changes, technical support, and enhanced efforts in seizing, destroying, and surrendering firearms. SEESAC coordinates and monitors the Roadmap's implementation, ensuring that progress is tracked and donor resources are used strategically for lasting impact.

Funding support is provided to UNDP Country Offices and UNODC through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), which facilitates collaboration among donors, national authorities, and implementing partners to achieve the Roadmap’s goals effectively and efficiently. 
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SEESAC’s ripple effect
Our work doesn’t just stop in Southeast Europe. SEESAC’s approach to SALW control has made a global impact and inspired similar initiatives in other parts of the world, such as the Caribbean and Central America.

Our initiatives contribute to global peace and security, showing that what we do can create ripples of change far beyond our region.