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Partnership for Good Governance
Highlights | January-March 2026
FOCUS – Tackling Economic Crime
FOCUS – Tackling Economic Crime

Economic crime, including money laundering and the financing of terrorism, poses serious risks to the trust in democracy and the rule of law. Strengthening the ability of professionals, institutions, and sectors to recognise and respond to these threats is essential for upholding the rule of law and protecting the society.

Recent efforts across Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Moldova have resulted in measurable progress in combating financial crime, safeguarding elections, and building resilient economies. Through targeted training, cross-sector workshops, and collaborative assessments, each country has reinforced its frontline defences against money laundering, terrorist financing, and illicit financial flows, thus increasing the trust in the institutions and democracy.

>>> Read more about countering economic crime approach within the Partnership for Good Governance.

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PROMOTING EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION
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Young people and communities in Kakheti and Batumi take action against hate speech
Young people and communities in Kakheti and Batumi take action against hate speech
GEORGIA

Young people and local professionals in Kakheti and Batumi are joining forces to push back against hate speech in Georgia. Through hands-on workshops and open discussions, participants are learning how to recognise harmful language and take practical steps to promote respect and inclusion in their communities. Discover how these new initiatives are equipping young leaders and residents with the tools they need to build safer, more welcoming spaces for everyone.

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Young European Ambassadors build bridges against discrimination in Venice
Young European Ambassadors build bridges against discrimination in Venice
REGIONAL

Young European Ambassadors recently gathered in Venice to share ideas and sharpen their skills in tackling hate speech. Over three days, these young leaders worked together to find new ways to promote inclusion and stand up for equality in their communities. Discover how their efforts are helping to build understanding and break down barriers across Europe.

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COUNTERING ECONOMIC CRIME
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From training to impact: Strengthening Armenia’s capacity to tackle financial crime
ARMENIA

Tackling financial crime is essential for maintaining trust and upholding the rule of law. To support this, Armenia’s financial investigators recently took part in specialised training developed through a partnership with the Council of Europe. Learn how these efforts are helping to boost the country’s defenses against economic crime.

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Lawyers in Azerbaijan enhance skills to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing
Lawyers in Azerbaijan enhance skills to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing
AZERBAIJAN

Lawyers in Azerbaijan recently took part in a workshop focused on tackling money laundering and terrorist financing. Through engaging sessions, they explored practical steps for safeguarding financial integrity while upholding their professional responsibilities. Find out how these legal professionals are working to protect communities and ensure justice.
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Lawyers in Azerbaijan enhance skills to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing
NGOs explore ways to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing risks
AZERBAIJAN

Non-profit organisations in Azerbaijan recently joined workshops to learn how to better protect their sector from money laundering and terrorist financing risks. With support from local authorities, European Union and the Council of Europe, participants explored steps to safeguard their work and uphold public trust. Discover how these sessions are helping organisations stay resilient.
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National authorities and private sector discuss third country risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing
National authorities and private sector discuss third country risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing
AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijan has reached a key milestone by finalising its latest national review of money laundering and terrorism financing risks. This assessment brings together insights from authorities and the private sector, aiming to strengthen protections for both the economy and everyday citizens. Explore how this collaborative effort is shaping the nation’s fight against financial crime.
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Dialogue and cooperation for a secure and inclusive financial system
REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

In the Republic of Moldova, financial experts and regulators recently came together to explore new ways to make banking safer and more accessible, especially for those facing difficult circumstances. The workshop focused on practical steps to identify risks while ensuring everyone can benefit from financial services. Find out how these efforts are helping to build a more secure and inclusive financial system.

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Ensuring integrity of elections by tackling illicit financial flows
Ensuring integrity of elections by tackling illicit financial flows
REGIONAL

Unlawful financial activity can undermine the fairness of elections and erode trust in democracy. To counter these risks, countries in the Eastern Partnership are working together, supported by the European Union and Council of Europe, to strengthen oversight of political finances. Learn how this collaboration aims to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

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STRENGTHENING JUSTICE
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Justice reform in Armenia delivers tangible results through the Council of Europe-European Union joint project
ARMENIA

Armenia’s justice system is seeing real changes after three years of joint efforts with the Council of Europe and European Union. Reforms include enactment of modern laws, improved court efficiency, and the introduction of digital solutions, rendering justice more efficient and accessible for everyone. See how international cooperation is driving practical improvements for citizens.

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CEPEJ supports the development of uniform annual court performance reporting in the Republic of Moldova
CEPEJ supports the development of uniform annual court performance reporting in the Republic of Moldova
REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
Judicial leaders in the Republic of Moldova are working to transform court statistics into practical insights that boost efficiency and the quality of justice. Recent discussions focused on creating a clearer, more useful approach to reporting annual court performance. Find out how these changes could help make the justice system more responsive and effective.
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The European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) organised a regional workshop on legal aid data for Dashboard Eastern Partnership
REGIONAL

A regional workshop in Montenegro has brought together experts from Eastern Partnership countries to improve the way legal aid data is collected and used. By aligning their approaches, participants are aiming to strengthen the evidence base for justice reforms. Discover how these efforts ultimately lead to more efficient justice across the region.

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GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S ACCESS TO JUSTICE
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New guidelines support improved gender-sensitive justice data collection in the Eastern Partnership region
New guidelines support improved gender-sensitive justice data collection in the Eastern Partnership region

New Guidelines on data collection practices relevant for women’s access to justice have been published to support authorities in the Eastern Partnership region in strengthening the collection and use of gender-sensitive justice data.

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New guidelines support improved gender-sensitive justice data collection in the Eastern Partnership region
Council of Europe gender equality course is now available in Belarusian

The Council of Europe's online course "Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming" is now available in Belarusian. It can be found on the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) e-learning platform. It was primarily developed in 2023 and lasts for two-and-a-half-hours.

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RESOURCES: WHAT IS NEW?
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  • New Guidelines on data collection practices relevant for women’s access to justice
  • “Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming” course available now in Belarusian
 
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Follow the Partnership for Good Governance Facebook and X (former Twitter) accounts for all the latest information on the support of the programme to Eastern Partnership countries’ domestic reforms to strengthen justice, counter economic crime, promote equality and non-discrimination, advance women’s access to justice and combat violence against women.

MORE INFORMATION:
Partnership for Good Governance Co-ordination Team
Directorate of Programme Co-ordination
Council of Europe
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Partnership for Good Governance