On December 19th 2025 a bilateral meeting took place where representatives of projects PreventCSA@EU and VANGUARD were participated. The aim of the meeting was first to let each other know more information on the aim, the objectives and the achievements of the projects and secondly to explore further potential synergies in the future. After a short self-introduction of the participants and their roles, Project Coordinators, A. Ntinapogias (PreventCSA@EU) and T. Spathi (VANGUARD), presented the identities and relevant information for each of the two projects respectively.
VANGUARD (adVANced technoloGical solutions coupled with societal-oriented Understanding and AwaReness for Disrupting trafficking in human beings) aims to strengthen the fight against THB through the provision of improved intelligence picture, delivery of advanced trustworthy suite of tools, realisation of innovative training activities, and awareness raising. The main objectives are to: (i) Provide an improved and comprehensive intelligence picture of (cross-border) THB-related criminal activities and the trafficking chain, through a thorough scanning of the online/ offline criminal landscape as well as rigorous empirical research with various relevant actors; (ii) Develop improved and trustworthy AI-based tools to detect, identify, investigate, prevent, and disrupt THB; (iii) Provide enhanced decision support and investigation methodologies/processes; (iv) Enable continuous evaluation and improvement of overall capacity building of security practitioners; and (v) Promote cooperation, raise awareness, and inform regulation shaping.
