commissions of the Austrian NPM during visits to retirement and nursing homes and to reflect on the insights they have gained. 1.9.3. NPM workshop in Riga for ombudsman institutions In his function as Secretary General of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), Ombudsman Günther Kräuter spoke the opening words at the first IOI training which was developed especially for ombudsman institutions that also function as an NPM and took place in Riga in June 2015. In close cooperation with the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), which is headquartered in Geneva, the IOI developed a training format that deals with the implementation of this preventive mandate. As part of their responsibility to protect and promote human rights, an increasing number of ombudsman institutions are also charged with the prevention of torture and are thus establishing new methodologies and approaches in their organisations for this purpose. The need for such a tailor-made training workshop is evident and the demand for the training, which was fully financed from IOI membership fees, was commensurately great. Cooperation of the IOII with the APT Renowned experts of the APT guided the audience through the interactive programme that not only conveyed knowledge to the participants but also provided the opportunity to share ideas and experiences. In case studies and group discussions, topics such as methodology and the ethics of conducting visits were explored. The role of external actors was defined and the importance of public relations was analysed as well. 1.9.4. Macedonia: EU twinning project In collaboration with the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Human Rights (BIM), the AOB participated in the Twinning Light project “Promotion of the Ombudsman competences and enhancement of its capacities” over the course of several months. The project was organised by the European Commission and concluded in February 2016. Twinning with the BIM At a kick-off event in Skopje, the twinning project was presented to the public in mid-May 2015. Between May and November, experts sent by the AOB and BIM undertook working visits lasting several days and worked with deputy ombudspersons in branch offices in Bitola, Kichevo, Kumanovo, Tetovo, Shtip and Strumica on methods and monitoring and control responsibilities, as well as on how to better exercise the mandate to protect basic rights and freedoms. Furthermore, a central component of the Twinning Light project was dedicated to the work of the Macedonian ombudsman institution as Trainings 23