The Project “The strengthening of security at the territory of Lithuanian-Polish border“ / SBGS-23 which is financed by Interreg VI-A Lithuania-Poland cooperation Programme has been started to implement

Lithuania and Poland Strengthen Border Security Through Joint Actions

On December 1, 2024, the State Border Guard Service under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania, together with the Division General Henrik Minkiewicz Podlaskie Border Guard Unit in Poland, launched the project "Joint actions of Lithuanian and Polish Border Guard Services to contribute to a safer and more secure Europe" (Border Guards).

This project, partially funded by the INTERREG VI-A Lithuania–Poland Cooperation Program (Project No. LTPL00353), is of strategic importance. It continues the successful cooperation between the two countries under previous INTERREG program calls.

The project's goal is to strengthen the collaboration between the Lithuanian and Polish border guard services, improve institutional capacities, and enhance the efficiency of joint activities. These efforts will help reduce cross-border crime, strengthen security in the border region, and contribute to a more reliable Europe.

The experiences of recent years—related to uncontrolled migration flows, the pandemic, and current challenges posed by threats of war—highlight the need for coordinated and concrete actions to ensure public safety. Lithuania and Poland will implement joint and complementary measures to strengthen their partnership, adopt new technologies, and introduce organizational solutions.

The project overall objective to strengthen the institutional abilities of LT and PL Border Guard Services in order to decrease trans-national crime rate in LT and PL cross-border region.

Particular two work packages are foreseen to achieve the project's objective:

1 – “Cooperation strengthening and joint actions". This work package is dedicated to strengthening the specialized and tactical skills of Lithuanian and Polish officers to ensure more effective joint operations.

• Training: Joint leadership and tactical training sessions are planned, involving a total of 104 officers.
• Expert Working Group: Internal experts will discuss the collaborative activities of both countries, provide suggestions for their improvement, and propose the use of new tools and equipment in the border region.

2 - "Infrastructure for better functioning". This investment-focused work package aims to enhance the technical capabilities of border services to conduct joint patrol and operational activities along the EU's internal borders.

• New Infrastructure Development: A new Kalvarija Border Guard Station complex will be built in Lithuania, equipped with the necessary facilities and equipment for operations.
• Upgraded Infrastructure in Poland: The Rutka Tartak border post in the Suwałki region will undergo modernization, and new equipment will be acquired to improve the efficiency of joint activities.

The project's target group consists of Lithuanian and Polish border guard officers. The project's activities and outcomes will be widely publicized. To promote international cooperation and share experiences, an international conference will be organized in Lithuania.

The duration of the project is 36 months. The project budget is 5.822.529,75 EUR.

The project is partly financed by the European Regional Development Fund.