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In March 2025, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, continued to lead the way in securing Europe's borders, with a strong focus on leadership development and maritime security. From groundbreaking training for future commanders to strengthening partnerships in Lampedusa, the month showcased Frontex's growing role in building a capable, agile, and responsive European border force. 

March marked a historic milestone with the successful completion of the first operational training at sea for Standing Corps Commanders. Aboard an Italian Coast Guard vessel, eight future leaders of the European Border and Coast Guard Standing Corps underwent  rigorous five-day experiential training designed to prepare them for command roles in the field.

The programme combined hands-on maritime operations with leadership development, covering:

• Navigation and surveillance techniques

• Search and rescue (SAR) and MEDEVAC drills

• Fisheries control and anti-pollution protocols

• Law enforcement integration and irregular migration response

• Physical endurance training and a field visit to Lampedusa, a key frontline migration hotspot

Participants emerged as a cohesive leadership unit, ready to spearhead operations along EU external borders. As one officer stated: “We created our way of thinking, understanding, behaving, and leading. We became a unit of shared values and attitudes.” This initiative signals a new chapter in Frontex’s field leadership, ensuring that missions are not only well-coordinated but also led with resilience and purpose.

In a demonstration  of international collaboration, Frontex welcomed Denmark’s Minister for Immigration and Integration, Kaare Dybvad Bek, at the hotspot of Lampedusa. Joined by the Danish Ambassador to Italy and key officials, the visit offered insights into Frontex’s frontline operations and migration management strategies, reinforcing a shared commitment to strengthening Europe’s border security.

On March 25–27, Frontex and EUBAM experts conducted joint training with Moldova’s Border Police along the Brinza sector in Cahul Province. Focused on smuggling detection, 15 officers from canine units received in-depth training in:

• Searching vehicles and cargo (buses, trucks, and minivans)

• Using service dogs in operational settings

• Operating portable X-ray and inspection tools

This initiative enhances Moldova’s alignment with EU standards and strengthens border defences against cross-border crime.

March 2025 stands out as a month of strategic development and operational impact. The Standing Corps Commanders’ leadership training marks a shift towards more resilient and capable mission leadership, while the results from the action in Moldova highlight Frontex’s operational excellence in maritime surveillance and crisis response. As Europe’s external border challenges grow more complex, Frontex continues to evolve—strengthening cooperation, advancing technology, and investing in people to secure the EU’s borders now and for the future.