Insights

The world has faced a series of shocks and setbacks over the last year. In Europe the human cost of the war in Ukraine has come on the back of the ongoing financial impact of COVID. In other regions, coups, conflict, and challenges to democratic governance are cause for concern. These events have had, and will continue to have, far reaching geo-political repercussions. 

With €70.2 billion spent in 2021 to support reform and good governance initiatives in partner countries the world over, the EU is a global leader in supporting effective and accountable security and justice - both on its borders and in the establishment of global norms and standards. Effective and accountable security and justice is the foundation of sustainable development. 

The adoption of the EU’s Strategic Compass in 2022, aims to strengthen the EU in the defence sector and make the necessary investment to increase its capacity to defend its citizens and values. It’s sent a clear message of the EU’s intention to become an even stronger global actor, as it is pushed to address unprecedented challenges and threats on peace, security, and the organization’s values. As the EU expands its role in peace and security, it will continue to need partners with the technical capacity, political experience, and operational know-how to support the implementation of the EUs’ strategic priorities 2019-2024 and beyond.   

Since 2004, DCAF has advised the EU and its 27 Member States on the development of its SSG/R policy and practice. Working across EU institutions, such as the European Commission, EEAS, European Parliament, and EU agencies, DCAF has been able to tailor its support to meet their needs -  whether to inform debate on emerging security governance challenges, support lessons learning and policy development, facilitate coordination, provide technical support to EU missions and delegations, or implement short, medium and long term SSG/R programmes.

A workshop supported by the European Union Capacity Building Mission (EUCAP) in Sahel
Niger that brought together Nigerien government officials, security experts and senior
representatives of the internal security forces to revise the Internal Security Law as part
of strengthening accountability of the security sector. Photo: EUCAP Sahel Niger

ADVISING EU INSTITUTIONS, MISSIONS, AND DELEGATIONS ON POLICY AND PRACTICE 
In 2016, DCAF supported the development of the EU-wide strategic Framework to enhance the impact and sustainability of the EU institutions and Member States’ efforts in supporting SSR processes. Since 2018, DCAF is the lead implementer of the EU SSG Facility, in consortium with the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) and Expertise France.It has brought flexible and effective expertise to address emerging needs, analyze gaps, support strategic policy planning, and coordinate dialogue on SSG/R. 

“The EU SSG Facility is highly relevant with EU policies and with the priorities of the IcSP. […] The evaluators consider that in general, the Facility has been effective in raising SSR awareness among EU staff and at increasing the capacity of beneficiaries to streamline SSR principles into EU-funded security initiatives.” 
                                                     -  Final Evaluation of the EU Security Sector Governance Facility
 

IMPLEMENTING EU SECURITY AND JUSTICE PROGRAMMES
DCAF is implementing several long-term projects and programmes with the European Union including comprehensive SSR support in The Gambia, cross-border cooperation in the Balkans,  reform of the Ministry of the Interior in Tunisia, support to police and criminal justice reform in Ethiopia, and the reform of the Congolese National Police.

The morning plenary sessions at the 2022 DCAF Days brought together senior EU official
and DCAF experts to identify trends and recent developments related to SSG/R and the
ways in which the EU could respond to them. Photo: DCAF

TRAINING EU CIVILIAN AND MILITARY STAFF AND SUPPORTING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING 
The EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions have evolved over the years and are now tackling many security-related issues. DCAF has led the Training Requirements Analysis on SSR, both on the military and civilian sides. Together with the FBA, we suggest options to enhance the quality of the training programmes.  
 

BRIEFING THE EU ON GLOBAL AND COUNTRY-SPECIFIC SSR TRENDS AND CHALLENGES
Every year since 2019, DCAF organizes the DCAF Days in Brussels where staff of EU institutions and Member States unpack some of the main issues and identify the key lessons on SSG/R. The 2022 edition provided a forum to take stock of recent developments in SSG/R policy and practice, and explore the role of SSG/R in the implementation of the EU’s Strategic Compass. 

In response to the current political landscape, the EU is evolving and reinforcing its posture on security and defense issues. In 2023, the EU is willing to evaluate  its support to SSG/R, and identify lessons to adapt its future actions.  

Meanwhile, for insight on the current trends and challenges, we invite you to read the 2022 DCAF Days report.

For more on the EU SSG Facility and DCAF’s engagement with the EU, contact our Brussels office.