The project is co-funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Council of Europe. It is implemented by the Council of Europe and will run for 48 months. 
 

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

The project main goal is to strengthen the prevention and fight against money laundering and terrorism financing in Albania through a strategic, risk-based approach.

The specific objectives are:      

  • To consolidate the implementation of anti-money laundering policies;
  • To improve the capacity of non-financial businesses and professions to manage economic crime risks.

Who benefits from the project?

The project will provide actionable guidance and capacity building to public authorities and private sector stakeholders including:

  • Financial Intelligence Agency
  • General Directorate of Customs
  • General Directorate of State Police
  • High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets and Conflict of Interest
  • General Prosecutor’s Office
  • Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Prosecution Office and Special Investigative Unit
  • Financial supervisors (Bank of Albania and Albanian Financial Supervisory Authority)
  • Non-financial supervisors (Albanian Bar Association, Gambling Supervision Agency, Ministry of Justice, Public Oversight Board)
  • Financial Institutions and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions

How does the project work?

  • Provides technical assistance and institutional capacity building for the Financial Intelligence Agency, law enforcement authorities supervisors to reinforce oversight, preventive measures and operational efficiency.
  • Supports policy development, legal and regulatory alignment, and law enforcement responses to financial crime and emerging risks.
  • Delivers practical guidance and training to public and private sector stakeholders to manage and mitigate corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing risks.

What do we expect to achieve?

  • Stronger and more co-ordinated implementation of anti-money laundering policies, in line with European standards and Council of Europe recommendations
  • Improved capacity of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions to identify and manage economic crime risks.
  • Enhance cross-border collaboration and participation in international forums to align with global best practices.

What is the budget of the project?

The total budget of the project is EUR 1,177,778; 90% funded by SECO and 10% by the Council of Europe.


 

Ardita Shehaj Lafe
Senior Project Officer
 E-mail

Edit Llazani
Project Assistant
  E-mail