On 24 September 2026, VANGUARD had the honour of participating in the SafeBorders Co-design Workshop for Specialised Prosecutors, organised by the Centre for European Constitutional Law – Tsatsos Foundation (CECL) in Athens. The workshop brought together specialised prosecutors and experts from across Europe to exchange practices, discuss operational and evidentiary challenges in child trafficking cases, and identify priorities for strengthening cross-border cooperation. The event also explored emerging technologies, investigative tools and practical approaches to support more effective prosecutorial responses to trafficking in human beings.
The Project Coordinator (M4D group at CERTH-ITI) presented VANGUARD’s approach to tackling THB, bringing together evidence-based research, operational intelligence, advanced technology and capacity building. The presentation highlighted key findings from desktop and empirical research conducted during the project, and how these inform AI-based tools for data analysis, risk assessment, and investigative support across online and physical environments, emphasising the role of technology in supporting investigators and strengthening cooperation.