PRESS RELEASE. STCU P100 Strengthens Frontline Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures in Southeast and Eastern European Region: Successful Completion of the National-Level Training Course and Tabletop Exercise in Tirana, Albania, under the P100 Project
11/2504 Mar 2025 - 07 Apr 2025
March 13, 2025, Kyiv, Ukraine
From March 4–7, 2025, Albania successfully hosted a national-level training event under the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) Project 100: Strengthening Front Line Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures in the South East and Eastern European Region. This initiative, funded by the European Union, aims to enhance national and regional capacities in addressing biosafety and biosecurity threats at frontline borders.
The event focused on strengthening front line biosafety and biosecurity measures in Albania and brought together 25 experts from key national agencies, including:
• Customs authorities
• Border police
• Public health institution
• Plant protection service
• Food safety agency
The training was led by national trainers from Albania, who had previously completed the P100 Train-the-Trainer (ToT) program. These trainers cascaded their knowledge and skills to their peers and colleagues, ensuring that frontline personnel are well-equipped to detect, prevent, and respond to biological threats at the country's borders.
Through interactive sessions and scenario-based tabletop exercise, participants strengthened their ability to:
• Identify and mitigate biological threats at border crossings.
• Implement biosafety and biosecurity measures in line with international best practices.
• Enhance cooperation and coordination between different national agencies.
By investing in local expertise, Albania has significantly enhanced its capacity to address bio-threats at national borders, ultimately contributing to the overall security of the South East and Eastern European region.
Regional Impact & EU Support
This initiative is part of a broader effort under Project 100, which supports ten partner countries—Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Ukraine—in bolstering the front line biosafety and biosecurity governance and operations. The project aligns with the objectives of the EU CBRN CoE Initiative, the EU’s largest civilian external security program, dedicated to mitigating chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks worldwide.
The success of the Albanian national-level training event demonstrates the importance of sustained capacity-building efforts, regional cooperation, and knowledge-sharing in countering biological threats.
The P100 project remains committed to strengthening biosafety and biosecurity capacities and promoting peace and security across the South East and Eastern European region.
STCU, together with the EU, extends its appreciation to all participants, presenters, and organizers who contributed to the success of these events. Their engagement and expertise were vital in achieving the shared mission of a safer, more secure region. This initiative underscores EU’s and STCU's dedication to strengthening BS&S measures in the SEEE region and fostering international collaboration to mitigate biological threats effectively.