A two-day training on terrorist financing investigations was delivered to Bulgarian authorities on 17–18 March 2025. The event was organised within the framework of the joint Council of Europe and European Commission project “Enhancing the capabilities for risk-based AML supervision and financial intelligence in Bulgaria” and aimed to enhance Bulgaria’s ability to detect, investigate, and disrupt terrorist financing activities.

The event brought together representatives from key institutions, including the Financial Intelligence Directorate of the State Agency for National Security (FID-SANS), the Counterterrorism and Financial Security Directorates of SANS, the General Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Interior. Through practical case-based exercises, participants strengthened their understanding of terrorist financing risks, investigative strategies, inter-agency cooperation, and legal tools available for disrupting financial networks linked to terrorism. The training also provided an opportunity to review and discuss Bulgaria’s national response mechanisms and areas for further improvement.

This initiative is part of the Council of Europe efforts which aims at supporting Bulgarian authorities in addressing the AML/CFT deficiencies identified in the 2023 MONEYVAL Mutual Evaluation Report, as well as in fulfilling its commitments under the FATF Action Plan, particularly in relation to the effectiveness of terrorist financing investigations and prosecutions (Immediate Outcome 9). 

By reinforcing investigative capabilities and promoting stronger cooperation among agencies, this training marks an important step in Bulgaria’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorist financing and strengthen national security.

The activity was organised within the framework of the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) project on “Enhancing the capabilities for risk-based AML supervision and financial intelligence in Bulgaria”, funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe.