The first Steering Committee meeting of the Regional Action “Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in managing violent extremism in prisons and preventing further radicalisation after release” and a Co-ordination meeting with international partners were held on 11 May 2023 in Podgorica, Montenegro. Beneficiary representatives (from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) expressed their satisfaction with the continued cooperation with the Council of Europe and determination to further improve regional security by addressing radicalisation in prisons and enhancing the post-penal support for violent extremist prisoners, among other, by helping their full and safe reintegration into local communities. During the event representatives of the EU encouraged the practitioners of the region to make use of the opportunities provided by the Action. They also pointed out that it contributes to the implementation of the Joint Action Plan on Counter-Terrorism for the Western Balkans, which includes measures to address prison radicalisation. The speakers also highlighted synergies with other international initiatives on preventing and countering violent extremism in the region, including the Western Balkans Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) Policy Support, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Holistic Radicalisation Prevention Initiative (HOPE) and the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), that were also represented at the event. The Regional Action “Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in managing violent extremism in prisons and preventing further radicalisation after release” continues to strengthen safety and security in the region by helping improve management and rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners and other marginalised and vulnerable prisoners at risk of radicalisation. It is part of the Horizontal Facility Phase III, co funded by the EU and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe. *This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.