In 2003, the European Commission signed an agreement with UNDP on the coordination and implementation of its TACIS BOMCA Programme. The programme aims to address the challenges of fragmentation and support the development of harmonized and coordinated modern border management methods at the regional level, improve cross-border cooperation, and facilitate the legal trade & transit across the borders of Central Asian (CA) countries.

BOMCA is an integrated, multifaceted intervention with a developmental and institution building approach. The main component of BOMCA is capacity development for Integrated Border Management (IBM) through training and exposure to European best practices of IBM for all agencies involved in border management. Additional components of the programme include provision of infrastructure and equipment to leverage what is accomplished through specialized training and to facilitate more professional and efficient security, law enforcement and trade operations at selected border crossing points (BCPs) on trade corridors, and enhanced security and improvement of working conditions at selected border outposts (BOs) on the Tajik-Afghan border. Also, a major work is done to modernize and upgrade training facilities, to support CA countries in developing and expanding their capacities so that they are sufficiently able to introduce the IBM methodologies. Advice on legal reforms and institutional frameworks are subsidiary programme components.

Projects implemented by BOMCA have actively encouraged adoption of EU good practices in the areas of:

• Policy Advice for Institutional Development: CA Governments demonstrated their interest and strong commitment to introduce integrated border management principles by introducing IBM principles in their national strategies (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan). BOMCA supported them to further elaborate border management strategic papers, including action plans. Countries in the region accepted IBM guidelines provided in the IBM Handbook. UNDP BOMCA finalised/disseminated IBM Handbook for implementation of the EU IBM Concept in Central Asia among its beneficiaries.
• Regional Capacity Building Through Training, Provision of Infrastructure and Equipment: CA Governments demonstrate an increased level of understanding/intention to promote EU IBM concept among border related authorities via active participation in all training activities/events offered by BOMCA, including regional Train-of-Trainers courses, study tours to EU training institutions; short/advanced dog handlers training; trainings in modern methodologies of intelligence gathering/risk analysis. Countries in the region (including governmental/nongovernmental sector) realise that modern border security system should provide for a reliable transit system which is yet lacking behind in the region. They welcomed/actively participated in a survey on trade/transit situation as well as in Supply Chain Security training for border related agencies.
• BOMCA programme coordination and partnerships: CA Governments select/prioritise their needs in border management area at National Steering Committees and Regional Annual Review Committee (under CABSI - CA Border Security Initiative). In particular, new threats, including religious radicalism/extremism and terrorism are prioritized for further UNDP BOMCA programme attention and action in the region.

Since 2004 to present BOMCA Programme constructed, refurbished and/or equipped 52 BCPs/BOs, 6 Training Centers (TCs) for Border Guards, 4 Dormitories for TCs, 3 Dog TCs and 3 veterinary Unit for Dog TC in all five CA countries. Over 2,000 border force and customs officers have received varying types of training and participated in study tours.

Total BOMCA contracts amount for 2003–2010 has reached € 27,605,405.

Major BOMCA projects and activities across the region in 2010-2011:

• Institutional Development in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
• Strengthening Training Capacities in Central Asia
• Strengthening Infrastructure Capacities Along Trade and Transit Corridors in Central Asia
• Assisting Tajikistan in Securing the Tajik-Afghan Border in Gorno-Badakhsan Oblast
• Strengthening Counter-Drug Capacities at Borders in Central Asia