The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) have launched Phase II of the project “Support to Eastern Partnership Countries to Enhance Asset Recovery.”  Building on the success of the first phase, this new phase aims to strengthen the capacity of Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine) to combat organised crime by tracing, confiscating, and recovering illicitly-acquired assets. 

UNICRI will continue to provide essential technical assistance and expertise in identifying and recovering assets linked to organised crime across the region. As Michael Voegele, Deputy Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) highlighted during the online launch “DG ENEST’s priority is to fight organised crime in the EaP region and beyond.”

The initiative seeks to support the sustainable adoption of modern asset recovery policies and practices while facilitating their operational implementation. Additionally, it will deliver innovative and highly specialised technical support to address the evolving threats posed by organised crime, which impact both the EaP Region and, ultimately, EU Member States. 

Key officials from EaP countries will continue to benefit from UNICRI’s expert guidance through technical advice, case-specific mentoring, and advanced training. The project will also include peer-to-peer tutoring and regular legal assistance to address critical challenges, such as the transparent management and social re-use of seized and confiscated assets, ensuring a comprehensive approach to capacity building. 

Building on previous efforts, the initiative will focus on enhancing officials’ expertise in   efficiently seizing, liquidating, and repurposing assets from organised crime, ensuring that recovered  funds support essential sectors such as health and education.

With a commitment of one million euros, the European Union is funding this three-year initiative, running until October 2027. Implementation will take place in close coordination with officials across the EaP countries and in synergy  with other relevant programmes and international actors in the region, including the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (EUROPOL) and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL).