The Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) agencies’ network was established in 2006 and is made up of nine European Union (EU) agencies (1). The network plays key operational, coordination and advisory roles in the implementation of EU priorities and objectives in the areas of freedom, security and justice. Over the years, it has served as a forum for agencies to boost cooperation in the migration and security fields, to identify collaborative opportunities and to improve operational and technical support to Member States and EU institutions. The network deals with issues that are dynamic, multifaceted and constantly evolving: this calls on the agencies to react in a timely manner to an ever-changing environment. 

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) had the honour of chairing the network in 2017. This report provides an insight into the main collaborative activities carried out over that period — an impressive number of inter-agency activities accomplished over the year — some 70 in the field of migration and about 80 in the area of security. The report also identifies challenges and opportunities for future inter-agency collaboration, to be taken forward by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), which will head the network in 2018.  

This report shows that the sustained efforts within the JHA agencies’ network during 2017 is a continuation of strong working partnerships developed, in some cases, over more than a decade, and illustrates how inter-agency collaboration and support is the way forward for Europe to face new challenges and increased demands. In a time when public resources are scarce, we must always endeavour to provide the best ‘European added value’ possible. In 2017, the JHA network has proven once again that the ‘cluster’ approach to coordinating actions undertaken by agencies by policy area can enhance mutual agency priorities. Using this approach ensures that activities, outputs and outcomes are joined up and complementary. This report clearly demonstrates how synergies between agencies lead to a clear added value for the EU Institutions and, ultimately, benefit the EU public in general.