Joint actions of Lithuanian and Polish Border Guard Services to contribute to a safer and more secure Europe

Summary

Operation of strategic importance (OSI) or above EUR 5 million

Project acronym: Border guards

Project ID: LTPL00353

Project start date: 2024-12-01

Project end date: 2027-11-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

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Total budget/expenditure: EUR 5 822 529.75

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 4 658 023.80

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

• ERDF: Amount, EUR 4 658 023.80. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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Deliverables:

• Number of jointly developed training programme
• Proposal on improvement of joint patrolling management
• Public events
• Digital communication
• Promotional materials
• Number of created facilities
• Number of improved facilities
• Number of purchased specialized equipment

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

• EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion Project will contribute directly to EUBSR objective “Connect the region“ sub-objective ”Better cooperation in fighting cross-border crime“ action (2021) Action 2: Strengthening mechanisms for joint strategic and operational actions protecting human beings and societies from criminal threats“. Project addresses common challenges faced by both countries within the cross-border region which have been coursed by global issues such as COVID19 pandemic, irregular migration, aggressive war situation between Ukraine and Russia. Many problems reduce security in the region, such as an increase in crime, the presence of a large number of enemy-sponsored subversive groups, the identification and apprehension of which is carried out by the public security authorities and the cooperation in this direction is vital. The border area is known as the Suwalki Gap, the territory between Russian Kaliningrad Oblast and Belarus, which will be used by soldiers and citizens fleeing war which is identified as the most insecure area by military experts. Both LT and PL are members of the area of free movement and therefore they keep fulfilling all requirements stemming from this, including the absence of any controls on persons crossing internal borders, which forms part of the Union’s objective of establishing an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of persons is ensured, as set out in Article 26(2) TFEU as well the Schengen acquis. The project seeks to strengthen the capacities of project partners to effectively manage joint actions in response to geopolitical threats and enhance collaboration in the region. Only in a secure environment can a mature democratic constitutional order, sustainable economic development, the protection of human rights and freedoms, and the vibrancy of civil society be ensured. Strengthening national security is considered to be the highest objective of the domestic and foreign policy of Lithuania and Poland.
• Other "A strategy towards a fully functioning and resilient Schengen area", updated by EC on 2021. Project directly contribute to aim of this strategy to reinforce the Schengen area internally implementation, as close cooperation between Member States on preventing and fighting security threats is crucial to sustain and compensate for the absence of controls at internal borders. Project contribute to the next aim of this strategy - improving governance to promote trust between Member States and better crisis preparedness. The free flow of people, goods and services is at the heart of the European Union and is key for Europe's recovery following the coronavirus crisis and irregular migrants flows. With today's Strategy, the Commission takes stock of the challenges faced by the Schengen area in recent years, and sets out a path forward that maintains the benefits of Schengen. Common action is needed at Union level for Member States to cope with today's challenges. Closer cooperation and interaction of Lithuania and Poland Border Guard Services within the project will directly enhance institutional capacities to tackle the issues which has negative impact on security of EU citizens and their right for free flow within Lithuania and Poland cross-border region which meets the global issues such as COVID19 pandemic, irregular migration, aggressive war situation between Ukraine and Russia. The cooperation of the public security authorities in this direction is vital. Project aims to enhance preparation for joint management of geopolitical threats and crisis management in cross-border region.
• Other COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS on the EU Security Union Strategy, COM (2020). Globalization and crisis determined complicity of security threats over the Europe. Citizens cannot be protected only through Member States acting on their own. Building on our strengths to work together has never been more essential. Significant legal, practical and support tools are already in place, but need to be both strengthened and better implemented. Much progress has been made to improve the exchange of information and intelligence cooperation with Member States and to close down the space in which terrorists and criminals operate. But fragmentation remains. This new strategy shows that a genuine and effective Security Union needs to combine a strong core of instruments and policies to deliver security in practice with a recognition that security has implications for all parts of society and all public policies. The EU needs to ensure a secure environment for everyone, whatever their racial or ethnic origin, religion, belief, gender, age or sexual orientation. The project contributes to the priority “A strong European security ecosystem” and one of key actions “Cooperation and information exchange”. Collaboration of partners at managerial and operational levels will enhance quality and intensivity of the process of information exchange. Joint training will be focussed on joint actions management in cases of crisis situation and geopolitical threats for national and Europe security. New logistics will ensure favourable environment for both countries’ joint action coordination and implementation aiming to safe Europe and will increase effectiveness of functioning of State Border Guard Services.
• Other The project will contribute to the New European Bauhaus initiative. The project will create a new co-working space for the partners' officers, ensuring sustainability and integrating aesthetics and functionality. The infrastructure on the Lithuanian-Polish border will be developed in line with European standards in terms of modern technologies and materials, the need to conserve natural resources and ensure environmental protection. The new building and its surroundings in Kalvarija FS will ensure that the area, which is currently not very well maintained, will be tidied up and permanently maintained. The renovation of garage and facilities of Rutka-Tartak FS will be used for the maintenance and proper storage of newly acquired vehicles and vehicles currently in use, improve the working conditions of the staff, and reduce the time needed to react to violations and crimes. The new and modern infrastructure will generally increase the attractiveness of the Lithuanian-Polish border area for residents and tourists. The newly created workspace will increase the integrity of cooperation between the partners, improve the quality of functioning and security in the region and in Europe at the same time, thus ensuring the well-being of cross-border communities.
• Other The project will contribute to implementation of bilateral agreement between Governments of the Republic of Lithuania and the Republic of Poland, signed on 14/3/2006. The project will increase the effectiveness of activity of Lithuanian and Polish Border Guard Services in the area of public Security because of strengthened institutional capacities related on management of joint actions in case of geopolitical threats and crisis situations, control irregular migration, transportation of goods and people, prevention of international criminality and investigation. The project will lead to synergy of partners institutions tools and measures for the same aim - public security and safe Europe. The project will enhance interaction of partners on optimization of human resources and equipment within controlling the mane and local roads along the internal border. The assessment of internal experts working at experts’ group on current coordination and management process of joint patrolling of Lithuanian and Polish border guard services in order to make suggestions for the LT and PL leaderships on improving of cooperation will allow to take common and new solutions at political and institutional level. New facilities in Lithuanian and Polish cross-border region will enable to improve joint actions and collaboration, exchange of information, enhance the trust and respect of society in Border guard service. The partnership will allow manage new challenges, joint development of solutions and common implementation will lead to efficiency of partners and benefits to general society as well as socio-economic partners in the region.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

• RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
  

Programme Common Result Indicator:

• RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
  

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance: