Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye (Horizontal Facility III)

Back Strengthening effective financial investigations linked to human trafficking in North Macedonia

Irena BABUSHKOVSKA

Modified 6 Days ago.

Strengthening effective financial investigations linked to human trafficking in North Macedonia

Judges, prosecutors, investigators, lawyers, and other key actors in North Macedonia are now better equipped to prosecute traffickers and recover illegal profits, as a result of a specialised training supported by the EU and Council of Europe and implemented in co-operation with the Academy for judges and prosecutors in Skopje. The programme focused on strengthening participants’ skills in financial investigations, freezing and confiscation of assets obtained through trafficking in human beings. The session underscored the essential role of robust financial investigations in disrupting criminal networks, preventing reinvestment in illicit activities, safeguarding the integrity of the legal system, and supporting the collection of evidence.

Relevant recommendations of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) were discussed, urging the authorities to collect comprehensive evidence on victim harm and financial gains, as well as to make a full use of asset seizure legislation to deter human trafficking and support victim compensation.

Experts from the Slovenian Development Academy and local anti-trafficking specialists facilitated the training, sharing best practices and practical knowledge.

“In human trafficking cases, a conviction is only part of the response: offenders should not be allowed to retain the profits of exploitation. This training focuses on the practical decisions needed to investigate finances alongside the offence, secure assets before they disappear and strengthen victims’ prospects of obtaining compensation”, said Andreja DOLNIČAR JERAJ, Executive Director of the Slovenian Development Academy.

Participants were encouraged to actively engage, exchange ideas, and promote inter-agency co-operation, reinforcing their collective commitment to combating human trafficking. The event marks another important milestone in the ongoing partnership between the Council of Europe and public institutions in North Macedonia, aimed at strengthening the fight against human trafficking.

The action “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in North Macedonia”, is part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint initiative “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.

Skopje, North Macedonia 17 September 2026

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What is the Horizontal Facility?

The joint European Union/Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” (Horizontal Facility III) is a co-operation initiative and one of the results of the Statement of Intent signed on 1 April 2014 by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, in which both Organisations agreed to further strengthen their co-operation in key areas of joint interest.

The programme is ongoing since 2016 and the third phase begun in January 2023 for a period of 48 months. The third phase of the programme (worth €41 million (85% funded by the EU, 15% by the CoE) keeps building on the results of the previous phases and it combines Beneficiary-specific and regional actions.

It enables the Beneficiaries to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.

Themes covered by the Horizontal Facility include:

strengthening justice
fighting corruption, economic crime and money laundering
promoting anti-discrimination and protection of the rights of vulnerable groups (including LGBTI, minorities and Roma) and
promoting and protecting freedom of expression and media

The Expertise Co-ordination Mechanism that provides legislative expertise and policy advice within the Council of Europe system remains also an important part of the programme available to all Beneficiaries.

The Horizontal Facility relies on the Council of Europe’s unique working methods, whereby tailor-made technical co-operation activities are based on conclusions and recommendations of the Council of Europe’s monitoring bodies highlight areas where improvements are needed in legislation and policies of the Beneficiaries to comply with the Organisation’s treaties and other standards.