UNICRI provides sustainable and tailored capacity-building support to Member States, partners, and communities, with the objective of strengthening institutions and civil society. Rooted in an evidence-based and interdisciplinary approach, these efforts enhance national and local capacities in the areas of crime prevention, justice, and security.
Drawing on a broad network of experts and strategic partners, the Institute delivers both rapid-response training to address urgent needs and longer-term support to build resilience and lasting competence. This dual approach enables flexible, context-specific interventions that are responsive to evolving priorities and threats.
UNICRI offers a wide portfolio of educational and capacity-building programmes for criminal justice practitioners, law enforcement officials, policymakers, and post-graduate students. These include:
– tailored and specialised training courses;
– simulation-based exercises and Training of Trainers (TTT);
– workshops at national, regional, and international levels;
– Master’s programmes, hybrid learning opportunities, and e-learning modules.
Over the years, UNICRI has strengthened its training capabilities by developing national and regional curricula, modular content, and manuals for both trainers and trainees. Pilot courses have targeted law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, and social workers, covering both foundational and advanced topics relevant to their professional roles.
UNICRI’s thematic areas reflect the complexity of today’s security landscape and the need for specialised, forward-looking responses. Its capacity-building activities address:
- justice reform;
- anti-corruption and asset recovery;
- the responsible use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies;
- mitigation of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks;
- cybercrime and cybersecurity, including online child abuse;
- counter-terrorism and violent extremism;
- the nexus between organised crime and terrorism;
- community-level resilience and the protection of vulnerable groups, including migrants;
- trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants;
- crimes against the environment and illicit exploitation of natural resources;
- protection of cultural heritage;
- counterfeiting and the trafficking of cultural goods;
- reform of penitentiary systems, including crisis management, probation, and green and digital prisons;
- misinformation and disinformation.
UNICRI’s models are participatory, practice-oriented, and adapted to local realities. Training initiatives are co-designed with stakeholders, grounded in real-world scenarios, and aimed at delivering scalable, impact-driven solutions.
Working in close collaboration with Member States, UN entities, nationa, regional and international organisations, civil society, academia, and the private sector, UNICRI fosters integrated, multi-stakeholder ecosystems. These partnerships promote shared ownership, strengthen institutional coordination, and improve cross-border cooperation, while reducing duplication and optimising the cost-effectiveness of interventions.
As a trusted provider of technical assistance, training, and policy guidance, UNICRI contributes to the development of effective, evidence-based strategies that support justice, enhance institutional resilience, and advance peace, security, and development.
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