Technical Assistance

Training covers the identification of cultural property, the reading of export documents, investigation techniques and the use of the Organization's databases. It is delivered in the participants' language, often by officials from other Member States.

It draws on the training catalogue, adapted to the specific needs of the requesting services.

The Organization can provide tools: document readers, identification sheets, access to the stolen works database, standardized photography equipment, and mobile reporting applications. Heavy equipment is generally funded by partners.

Each provision comes with training in its use and monitoring of its use for twelve months.

At a State's request, a team of two to four experts analyses the organization of services, control procedures, registries and cooperation practices. A report proposes priorities and a timetable.

The report belongs to the State; it may decide to share it with the Organization, which facilitates the search for funding.

Technical assistance includes support for operations coordinated between several States: exchange of intelligence, simultaneous checks in ports and airports, and monitoring of online sales. The Organization provides a coordination unit and interpreters.

The results are used in a lessons-learned review and feed into the Organization's activities.

Each project includes result indicators: number of officials trained, number of checks carried out, processing time for reports. An evaluation at twelve months measures the effect of the support and decides on follow-up.

Projects that produce results may be extended to other services or to neighbouring States.