STROM I and II 2015-2017

“STROM I- Strengthening the Role of Municipalities in the Work against Trafficking in Human Beings in the Baltic Sea Region”

Activities of the project

In order to assess the current role and responsibilities of municipalities in the chain of assistance to victims of all forms of human trafficking and develop effective anti-trafficking policies at the local level, a baseline assessment will be carried out in the Baltic Sea Region.
A regional expert group meeting will bring together local experts from three municipalities in each CBSS Member State to share and analyse the local mechanisms in place to deal with cases of human trafficking.
Specific guidelines for municipalities outlining the main challenges and best practices in dealing with human trafficking cases at the local level will be developed. The guidelines will provide local actors with a tool and methods to deal with victims of human trafficking.

Participating countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, the Russian Federation and Sweden.

Guidelines for Municipalities "Stepping up local action against human trafficking" is the main deliverable outcome of the project “STROM - Strengthening the Role of Municipalities in the Work against Trafficking in Human Beings in the Baltic Sea Region”.
The STROM Project is implemented jointly by the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Latvia and the Council of the Baltic Sea States Secretariat Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings (CBSS TF-THB) in close cooperation with the NGO “Living for Tomorrow” in Estonia, the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security in Norway, the Ministry of Interior in Poland, and the County Administrative Board of Stockholm in Sweden. The specific Guidelines for Municipalities were developed based on the main findings, conclusions and impact of the work undertaken in the STROM project.
The general aim of these guidelines is to provide local actors with the knowledge and right tools to strengthen their role in the work against human trafficking and increase the effectiveness of the anti-trafficking actions by ensuring proper and timely victim identification, adequate and sustainable assistance and protection.

The guidelines:

illustrates the key principles and standards that apply in the design and implementation of all policies and interventions in addressing trafficking at the local level. There are four key principles which call for a human rights-based approach, unconditional and rights-based victim assistance, evidence-based prevention and multi-disciplinary cooperation
introduces what trafficking in human beings is and how it is regulated. In addition, example cases of different forms of trafficking are provided to illustrate the many forms of trafficking has taken in the Baltic Sea region
focuses on mapping out the local trafficking situation and highlights the various questions that municipalities should consider in order to identify local vulnerable groups and risky locations, and to chart the relevant actors and their resources in order to improve local response to trafficking. Knowing the local context and trends is very important when considering the next steps to be taken in identifying victims, providing assistance and preventing human trafficking
focuses on identification of victims of trafficking and introduces indicators of trafficking. A large variety of local actors can identify victims when they are given access to and training on how to use indicators of trafficking. It is important for local actors to react immediately and report suspicions further on to appropriate actors in order to ensure proper support and assistance to victims of trafficking and proper investigation of alleged offenders
outlines the key issues regarding victim assistance and the different forms of assistance. The guidelines highlight the importance of making sure that the support offered meets the individual needs of the victims and that it is offered unconditionally, irrespective of the victims’ willingness to cooperate with the authorities.
focuses on supporting municipalities in the Baltic Sea region in establishing and strengthening measures to prevent trafficking in human beings and related exploitation. The section puts forward a number of measures that municipalities can take in this regard. Many of the measures proposed could be integrated into local social, economic and crime prevention policies and programmes, such as those related to addressing social exclusion and marginalization, safe migration, integration of migrants, poverty, education, violence against women, and so forth. The provided action points emphasize the need to establish pro-active rather than reactive prevention strategies. Such pro-active policies are more cost-effective and save resources in the end.
recaps the main action points for municipalities in order to strengthen their counter-trafficking activities as regards mapping of the local situation, identification of victims, provision of assistance as well as prevention of human trafficking.

Guidelines for Municipalities "Stepping up local action against human trafficking" (English language)

The guidelines have been produced with funding from the CBSS Project Facility Fund, the Swedish Institute and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Latvia.