A better understanding of the effects of trade in small arms is relevant to European policy formation and debates on a common foreign and security policy (especially humanitarian aid, peace building, and arms export control), on harmonisation of legislation and on citizens?participation in good governance. The Action co-ordinates the various European national small arms research programmes. It will achieve this goal via supporting collaboration on the exchange of data, research methods, and academic experience. The Action will help integrate the currently fragmented and uneven expertise and strengthen research capacity in Europe, and help build capacity where it is lacking.
