POLICE-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF FIELD OPERATIONS SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE on the electronic signature, online recruitment modules, and electronic file transfer, online performance appraisal, e-learning, case management and promotion systems. The visit was also an opportunity for the exchange of experiences regarding the advantages, setbacks and future trends in HR Information Systems. From 10 to 21 June, the Mission organized a two-week ToT session on “First Line Management Skills” in Skopje for 16 MoIA trainers, who will ‘cascade’ the training to ‘first-line’ supervisors. As a result of the training, participants were able to enhance their training skills and gain expertise in developing curricula and presentations. From 11 to 13 November, the Mission conducted a study visit for members of the WG on HR Strategy to the Serbian MoI’s HRM Department in Belgrade. During the visit, participants took part in presentations regarding the automation of HRM software system, whose accuracy and speed facilitates a transparent selection for all potential candidates applying to vacant positions. From 12 to 15 November, the Mission organized a management training course in Struga for 14 senior-level MoIA officials who acquired knowledge and skills relating to decision-making processes. At the conclusion of the event, the participants agreed that similar training should continue in 2020 and proposed different topics for such sessions. Human Rights and Police Accountability On 21 and 22 February, the Mission organized a ‘kick-off ’ workshop in Struga with the MoIA’s WG on the assessment of disciplinary procedures where presentations on a disciplinary matrix and early intervention systems were delivered to 12 WG members. With an aim of introducing international standards and best practices in disciplinary procedures, participants received training on the basic principles of discipline such as predictability, fairness, consistency and accountability. From March to September, the Mission organized ten meetings in Skopje with the WG to assess the level and nature of disciplinary procedures in the MoIA. The Mission also conducted a survey on the perception of MoIA staff regarding issues concerning consistency, the role of politics, and functioning of disciplinary and appeals procedures. In December, the MoIA approved the survey’s report findings and recommendations. From 28 to 30 May, the Mission organized a workshop “Increasing of Operational Capacities of the Police Stations’ Shift Leaders” at the MoIA Training Centre, which was attended by 22 shift leaders from different police stations. The workshop focused on those national instruments that regulate the work of police shift leaders, including communication with prosecutors and detectives, SOPs and instructions on the collection of electronic evidence at crime scene. The event also dealt with international standards and best practice in victim protection and national capacities regarding victim protection and human rights. Anti-Corruption On 22 February, in co-operation with the Italian Embassy and with the support of the Italian National Anti-corruption Authority and Italian Guardia di Finanza, the Mission organized a senior-level conference in Skopje on “Institutional reforms for the fight against corruption and best practice towards a European model: the Italian example”. The event brought together 100 participants, including senior-level government officials, law enforcement representatives, civil society and officials from the EU Delegation. The overall aim was to share and promote the Italian anti-corruption model as one of Europe’s most effective examples in terms of combating corruption. Participants also discussed the ongoing reforms, legislation changes and operational challenges. From 25 to 27 November, the Mission supported the participation of the Assistant Minister of Internal Affairs for Internal Investigations and Professional Standards and the Head of Professional Standards in the Customs Administration (CA) to an event on anti-corruption organized by TNTD/BSMU and Romanian Directorate General for Anti-corruption (DGA) in Bucharest. During the event, the DGA presented several case studies related to countering corruption of border officials and tradecraft. The event was also an opportunity for the delegation to establish closer co-operation with their Romanian counterparts in the sector. Gender Mainstreaming From 18 to 20 March, the Mission began its “Mentoring Programme for Women in the Police”, with a ToT training course held in Skopje for seven mentors from the 2018 programme, based on their successful mentorship and on a geographical principle of covering the whole country. During the course, participants were familiarized with different adult learning processes and took part in a series of exercises for developing their presentation skills. They also practiced delivering presentations, which were developed during the 2018 programme. From 25 to 27 March, the Mission organized basic training on gender and mentoring process in Skopje for mentors that had been selected among women police officers who had extensive police experience. The training introduced participants to the basic gender terminology and concepts, 93