MATRA PATROL - Strengthening Institutional Capacity in the Rule of Law (2012-2015)

Sep 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2015

Project description

Over a period of four years (2012-2015), the Asser Institute – in cooperation with Ecorys Nederland BV and The Hague Academy for Local Governance – implemented the MATRA Pre-Accession Training Programme (MATRA PATROL) on ‘Strengthening Institutional Capacity in the Rule of Law’. This Training Programme aimed to stimulate, support and contribute to the efficient implementation of the EU Acquis in the area of rule of law. It also aimed to strengthen bilateral relations between the Netherlands and the target countries (i.e. Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia (until EU accession in 2013), Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey) by sharing the knowledge and skills with policy advisors, members of the judiciary and other civil servants.

The Programme, funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Europe Department (DEU), was characterised by an interactive and practical approach. The theoretical part served to present and share knowledge and best practices from the Dutch judicial system enabling participants to use this experience to improve the judicial system in their home countries ahead of EU accession. Study visits and attending court sessions as well as the availability of practitioners for discussion contributed to build networks and to gain more in depth knowledge. Topics addressed in the Programme were: administration of justice; access to justice; public procurement; integrity of civil servants; management of public finances; decentralisation; quality, implementation and enforcement of legislation; alternative dispute resolution.