More than 300 representatives of designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) in Bulgaria took part in a series of awareness-raising sessions on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations which took place between 15 and 17 April 2025 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The sessions were organised under the joint European Union and Council of Europe project “Enhancing the capabilities for risk-based AML supervision and financial intelligence in Bulgaria,” in close cooperation with the Financial Intelligence Directorate of the State Agency for National Security (FID-SANS).

The five sector-specific sessions targeted key obliged entities, including auditors, accountants and tax advisors; lawyers, notaries, trust and company service providers (TCSPs); casinos and online gambling operators; real estate agents, currency exchange providers and postal money transfer operators. These sectors are critical components of Bulgaria’s AML/CFT framework, while also being particularly vulnerable to misuse for money laundering and terrorist financing purposes.

Participants received updates on recent legislative and institutional developments in Bulgaria’s AML/CFT regime, alongside practical guidance from international experts. The sessions focused on core compliance obligations such as establishing internal AML/CFT programmes, applying a risk-based approach, conducting customer due diligence, and identifying and reporting suspicious transactions. In addition, the sessions explored current and emerging ML/TF typologies through red flag indicators and case-based analysis.

In addition to enhancing technical knowledge, the sessions sought to foster stronger cooperation and dialogue between competent authorities and private sector stakeholders. Promoting mutual understanding and coordination is essential to improving the effectiveness of Bulgaria’s AML/CFT system and ensuring a more proactive and joined-up approach to risk mitigation.

These sessions followed a similar initiative held in June 2024, which attracted over 400 participants. The sustained outreach reflects the growing demand for tailored support and practical resources to help obliged entities navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.

The awareness-raising activities form part of a broader effort to support Bulgaria in reinforcing its AML/CFT framework. In particular, they contribute to addressing the deficiencies identified in the 2023 MONEYVAL mutual evaluation, especially those related to the application of preventive measures by private sector entities. They also support Bulgaria’s efforts to meet its commitments under the FATF Action Plan.

The activities were 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”, jointly funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe.