Deadline: 11-Sep-2026
The European Commission has launched a Twinning Call for Proposals to strengthen North Macedonia’s security architecture by improving the capacity of national institutions to address security threats and risks. The project focuses on police, law enforcement, cybersecurity, cybercrime, organised crime, terrorism, radicalisation, and violent extremism.
The action will be implemented in North Macedonia under the EU for Rights and Security programme. The total available funding is EUR 4 million, and the maximum project duration is 51 months, including 48 months of implementation and 3 months for related activities.
What is this European Commission Twinning Call?
This European Commission Twinning Call supports institutional cooperation between North Macedonia and EU Member State administrations.
The call aims to strengthen national security institutions by improving their ability to prevent, detect, investigate, and respond to major security threats.
The project will be implemented through the Twinning framework, which enables public administrations and mandated bodies from EU Member States to work directly with beneficiary institutions.
Main Purpose of the Project
The main purpose of the project is to enhance North Macedonia’s security architecture.
The project supports stronger institutional capacity in policing, law enforcement, cybersecurity, and justice-related cooperation.
It aims to help national institutions address complex threats such as cybercrime, organised crime, terrorism, radicalisation, and violent extremism.
Programme Framework
The project is part of the EU for Rights and Security programme.
This programme supports North Macedonia through cooperation with European Union Member State administrations and mandated bodies.
The Twinning approach is designed to transfer expertise, strengthen institutional performance, and support alignment with European standards and practices.
Focus Areas and Priorities
The call focuses on strengthening institutions responsible for security, law enforcement, and cyber resilience.
Key focus areas include:
- Security architecture
- Police performance
- Law enforcement capacity
- Cybersecurity institutions
- Cybercrime prevention
- Cybercrime investigation
- Organised crime response
- Terrorism prevention
- Radicalisation prevention
- Violent extremism prevention
- Detection of security threats
- Investigation of security risks
- Prosecution support
- Institutional cooperation
- EU Member State expertise
- Twinning-based capacity building
Key Concepts Explained
Twinning
Twinning is an EU cooperation instrument that connects public administrations in EU Member States with institutions in partner countries.
It supports institutional reform, capacity building, knowledge exchange, and practical cooperation.
Under this call, Twinning will support North Macedonia’s institutions in strengthening security-related systems and capabilities.
Security Architecture
Security architecture refers to the institutions, systems, procedures, laws, coordination mechanisms, and operational capacities used to manage national security threats.
In this project, security architecture includes police, law enforcement, cybersecurity, and related institutions.
Cybercrime
Cybercrime refers to criminal activities involving digital systems, networks, data, or online platforms.
The project aims to strengthen the ability of institutions to detect, investigate, prosecute, and prevent cybercrime.
Organised Crime
Organised crime involves structured criminal groups engaged in illegal activities.
Strengthening the institutional response to organised crime is a key part of the project’s security focus.
Radicalisation and Violent Extremism
Radicalisation refers to processes through which individuals may adopt extremist views.
Violent extremism refers to support for or participation in violence motivated by extremist beliefs.
The project supports institutional capacity to prevent and respond to these threats.
Total Funding Available
The total available funding for this call is EUR 4 million.
This funding will support the implementation of the Twinning project in North Macedonia.
Project Duration
The maximum project duration is 51 months.
This includes:
- 48 months of implementation
- 3 months for related activities
Applicants should design a methodology and work plan that can be delivered within this timeframe.
Location of Implementation
The action will be implemented in North Macedonia.
The project will support national institutions involved in security, policing, law enforcement, cybersecurity, and related areas.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants are limited to Public Administrations and Mandated bodies from EU Member States.
Applications must be submitted through the relevant National Contact Points for Twinning.
This means that NGOs, private companies, universities, and non-EU public bodies are not eligible unless they qualify as mandated bodies under the Twinning framework.
Application Route
Twinning proposals must be submitted by the Lead Member State Administration.
The proposal must follow the procedures and templates outlined in the Twinning Manual.
Only one proposal per Member State may be submitted through the National Contact Points within the application deadline.
Role of the Lead Member State Administration
The Lead Member State Administration is responsible for submitting the Twinning proposal.
It coordinates the proposed cooperation approach, methodology, staffing, technical expertise, and implementation arrangements.
The Lead Member State Administration must ensure that the proposal follows the required Twinning Manual procedures.
Key Project Roles
The selection process will assess the operational capacity of the proposed key experts.
Important roles include:
- Project leader
- Resident Twinning Adviser
- Component leaders
These roles are central to project delivery, institutional cooperation, technical guidance, and coordination with beneficiary institutions in North Macedonia.
Selection Criteria
The proposal will be assessed based on the quality and capacity of the proposed implementation approach.
Key assessment areas include:
- Operational capacity of project leaders
- Capacity of the Resident Twinning Adviser
- Capacity of component leaders
- Quality of methodology
- Relevant experience
- Cooperation approach
- Understanding of the security sector context
- Ability to support institutional capacity building
- Alignment with Twinning Manual requirements
Expected Institutional Benefits
The project is expected to improve the performance of security-related institutions in North Macedonia.
Expected benefits may include:
- Stronger police capacity
- Improved law enforcement coordination
- Better cybersecurity institutional performance
- Enhanced cybercrime investigation capacity
- Stronger organised crime response
- Improved terrorism prevention capacity
- Better prevention of radicalisation and violent extremism
- Stronger detection and risk assessment systems
- Improved cooperation with EU Member State institutions
How the Twinning Project Works
The Twinning project will connect institutions in North Macedonia with EU Member State administrations and mandated bodies.
The cooperation will focus on technical support, institutional capacity building, knowledge transfer, operational improvement, and structured implementation.
The project will be delivered through an agreed methodology, with clearly defined components and leadership roles.
How to Apply
Eligible EU Member State administrations and mandated bodies should prepare a Twinning proposal through their National Contact Point.
The proposal must follow the Twinning Manual procedures and use the required templates.
The Lead Member State Administration must ensure that the proposal includes a strong methodology, qualified experts, relevant institutional experience, and a clear cooperation approach.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that the applicant is a Public Administration or Mandated body from an EU Member State.
- Coordinate with the relevant National Contact Point for Twinning.
- Confirm that only one proposal will be submitted from the Member State.
- Identify the Lead Member State Administration.
- Select the proposed project leader.
- Select the Resident Twinning Adviser.
- Identify component leaders with relevant technical expertise.
- Develop a methodology aligned with the Twinning Manual.
- Explain experience in security, law enforcement, cybercrime, organised crime, terrorism prevention, or related fields.
- Describe the proposed cooperation approach with North Macedonian institutions.
- Prepare the proposal using the required Twinning templates.
- Submit the proposal through the National Contact Point within the deadline.
Why It Matters
Security threats are increasingly complex and require strong institutions, effective coordination, and specialised technical capacity.
Cybercrime, organised crime, terrorism, radicalisation, and violent extremism can affect public safety, governance, and regional stability.
This Twinning call matters because it supports North Macedonia in strengthening its national security architecture through cooperation with EU Member State institutions.
By improving institutional performance and technical capacity, the project can contribute to stronger security governance and better protection against emerging threats.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting proposals outside the official National Contact Point process.
Only eligible EU Member State Public Administrations and Mandated bodies should apply.
Proposals should not ignore the procedures and templates required by the Twinning Manual.
Applicants should avoid weak descriptions of the Resident Twinning Adviser’s role or the expertise of component leaders.
Only one proposal per Member State may be submitted, so applicants should coordinate internally before submission.
Proposals should also avoid generic methodologies that do not clearly address North Macedonia’s security architecture and institutional capacity needs.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong proposal should clearly demonstrate relevant institutional experience in security and law enforcement capacity building.
Applicants should present qualified experts with strong operational and technical backgrounds.
The methodology should be practical, structured, and aligned with the Twinning framework.
The proposal should explain how cooperation with North Macedonian institutions will be organised and sustained.
Strong applications should also show clear understanding of cybercrime, organised crime, terrorism, radicalisation, violent extremism, and cybersecurity governance challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of this Twinning Call?
The call aims to strengthen North Macedonia’s security architecture by enhancing the capacity of national institutions to address security threats and risks.
2. What programme supports this project?
The project is supported under the EU for Rights and Security programme.
3. How much funding is available?
The total available funding for this call is EUR 4 million.
4. Where will the project be implemented?
The action will be implemented in North Macedonia.
5. What is the project duration?
The maximum project duration is 51 months, including 48 months of implementation and 3 months for related activities.
6. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are Public Administrations and Mandated bodies from EU Member States.
7. How must proposals be submitted?
Twinning proposals must be submitted by the Lead Member State Administration through the relevant National Contact Point for Twinning, using the procedures and templates outlined in the Twinning Manual.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s Twinning Call supports North Macedonia in strengthening its security architecture through cooperation with EU Member State administrations and mandated bodies.
With EUR 4 million available and a maximum duration of 51 months, the project focuses on improving police, law enforcement, cybersecurity, cybercrime, organised crime, terrorism prevention, radicalisation prevention, and violent extremism response capacities.
Eligible EU Member State administrations should submit strong, technically sound proposals through their National Contact Points, demonstrating operational expertise, a clear methodology, and a practical cooperation approach under the Twinning framework.
For more information, visit European Commission.