Representatives of relevant institutions gathered on 9 December 2024 in Sarajevo to discuss methods for safeguarding non-profit organisations from terrorist financing risks.

The workshop, organised by the Council of Europe, aimed at raising awareness among competent authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina about the importance of applying targeted, proportionate, and risk-based measures to prevent the misuse of non-profit organisations for terrorist financing.  

The presentations offered an in-depth overview of terrorist financing risks, including definitions, typologies, mechanisms, and the vulnerabilities of non-profit organisations. Case studies were used to illustrate common misuse tactics such as fund diversion and unregulated donations, highlighting the need for protective measures.

The workshop also covered international standards, particularly the FATF Recommendation 8 which advocates for targeted, risk-based, and proportionate regulations to protect non-profit organisations without hindering their legitimate activities. Other topics included identifying high-risk organisations, evaluating threats, and implementing mitigation strategies, including improved financial access and risk-based oversight practices.

The event brought together experts from law enforcement agencies and executive bodies, including the BiH State Investigation and Protection Agency, the BiH Intelligence Security Agency, the BiH Ministry of Justice, and the entity-level ministries of interior and tax administrations.

This activity was carried out as part of the Council of Europe’s three-year initiative focused on combating corruption, money laundering, and terrorist financing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, funded under the Council of Europe and European Union joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye III” and by a voluntary contribution of the Council of Europe.