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

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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The action “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in North Macedonia” is implemented within the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” running from January 2023 until December 2026. The action is contributing to:

  • sustainable capacity-building of key stakeholders (legal professionals, labour inspectors, healthcare professionals, media, police, social workers);  

  • an adequate criminal-law response to trafficking in human beings; and

  • sustainable services and access to compensation for trafficking victims.  

What is the goal(s) and objective(s) of the action?

The action will aim to:

  • strengthen legislation, policy, and practice for effectively combating human trafficking, protecting the rights of victims, and responding to new challenges and trends.

  • strengthen criminal justice response to trafficking in human beings through capacity building and research.

  • enhance mechanisms and procedures for victims of human trafficking to access legal remedies and compensation.

Who benefits from the action?

  • anti-trafficking institutions (Anti-trafficking Task Force, National Referral Mechanism)

  • targeted professional groups (labour inspectors, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, police, healthcare professionals, social workers)

  • civil society organisations with the mission to prevent and combat human trafficking

  • victims of trafficking in human beings and the general society in North Macedonia

How does the action work?

The action builds on results of the previous Horizontal Facility actions, implemented in phases I and II of the programme. It facilitates transfer of knowledge among peers, from international and local experts to anti-trafficking professionals by delivering basic and specialised trainings and facilitating a dialogue between stakeholders from various institutions and civils society organisations.
The action provides expertise for drafting anti-trafficking policies and legislation and supports in-depth research on child trafficking and proactive investigation and prosecution of trafficking in human beings.

What do we expect to achieve?

The action will achieve

  • a more sustainable approach in preventing and combating human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation and child trafficking,

  • enhanced exercise and respect of the rights of trafficking victims, including the rights to legal aid, privacy and compensation,

  • improved trial and sentence of traffickers of human beings by the justice institutions and legal professionals

  • aware and informed communities and society at large in North Macedonia about trafficking victims’ risks and consequences from using trafficking victims’ services.

What is the budget of the action?

The total budget of the action is 950 000 Euros.

The budget allocated to the overall Horizontal Facility programme amounts to ca. 41 Million EUR (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe).

How to get more information?

Home - Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje (coe.int)

Soravia Center, Filip Vtori Makedonski br. 3, Skopje, 1000

 + 389 (2) 3100 321, e-mail: [email protected]
Horizontal Facility website and e-mail address

 

About Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye

The “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe that enables the Western Balkans Beneficiaries and Türkiye to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with the European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.

 


 

Project Contacts

Jasmina Dimitrieva                Senior Project Officer                 +389 2 3100 327                   contact

Sara Prenk                           Project Assistant                         +389 2 3100 328                 contact