Highlights | April - May 2026

FOCUS - Integrating a gender perspective into legal education

The Council of Europe is launching a call for applications for a regional workshop entitled “Integrating a gender perspective into legal education”, to be held on 23 October 2026 at the European Youth Centre Budapest (EYCB), Hungary.

Find more information ›


Partnership for lasting change

ARMENIA

The partnership between the European Union, the Council of Europe and Armenia is bringing tangible results for justice, equality and integrity across Armenia. At the fourth Local Steering Committee meeting, stakeholders highlighted how recent reforms are streamlining court procedures, building professional capacity and strengthening safeguards against corruption and economic crime. Explore how these improvements, from better access to justice for women and anti-discrimination to stronger protections for whistle-blowers, are helping to build a more trusted and resilient system for all Armenians and find out what’s next as the partnership moves forward.

UKRAINE

Joint efforts between the European Union, the Council of Europe and Ukraine are driving forward comprehensive reforms in justice, equality and the fight against economic crime. Recent discussions in Kyiv underscored major progress, such as increased use of European standards in court decisions and gender equality, new measures to strengthen the judiciary and enhanced resilience against money laundering and hate speech. Despite the pressures of ongoing conflict, Ukraine remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and rights-based justice system. Discover how this partnership is supporting Ukraine’s reform journey and making a real difference for communities across the country.


PROMOTING EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION

__________________________________________________________________________________

Equality through diversity presented by Armenian key speakers at unique TEDx Talk

ARMENIA

A recent TEDx Talk in Yerevan, organised by the Council of Europe and Armenia’s Ministry of Justice, brought together powerful voices to share stories on equality, diversity and inclusion. Speakers ranged from government officials to NGO representatives, highlighting the value of embracing differences for a fairer society. Topics included breaking gender stereotypes, the importance of protecting minority languages and cultures and empowering persons with disabilities. The event’s inspiring messages called for respect, equal opportunities and active support for all groups - showing how Armenia’s commitment to diversity is the key to lasting progress and prosperity.

Council of Europe advances equality agenda with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society

CO-OPERATION WITH BELARUSIAN DEMOCRATIC FORCES AND CIVIL SOCIETY

Representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces and international partners have presented key results of their work to promote equality and non-discrimination principles over the past two years in Belarus, at a conference held in Warsaw as part of a joint European Union-Council of Europe programme. The conference brought together Belarusian political leaders in exile, civil society and international partners, setting out future priorities and highlighting how cooperation continues to advance European standards.

Building bridges in Belarusian civil society: new tools and strategies on equality and non-discrimination

CO-OPERATION WITH BELARUSIAN DEMOCRATIC FORCES AND CIVIL SOCIETY

In Vilnius, Belarusian democratic forces and civil society met to boost awareness of European anti-discrimination tools and best practices. The workshop focused on practical ways to use new policy frameworks and online trainings, with special attention to supporting at-risk groups like the LGBTI community. Participants emphasised building alliances, tackling hate speech and creating inclusive spaces as key steps towards a more equal and democratic Belarus.

New e-learning tool to strengthen police response to racism and discrimination in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions

REGIONAL

A new E-learning Course on Equality and Non-discrimination in Policing is now equipping law enforcement agencies, equality bodies, and civil society organisations across the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership region with practical tools to address discrimination and hate. Rooted in European standards, the course offers clear guidance for police responding to racism, building trust with communities and supporting victims. Discover how this innovative training is strengthening professional standards and human rights-based policing, with resources soon available in nine local languages to ensure broad regional impact.


COUNTERING ECONOMIC CRIME

__________________________________________________________________________________

Strengthening integrity in public service: Council of Europe continues to train integrity officers to combat misconduct

ARMENIA

Promoting accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct among public servants is key to building trust in public institutions. In partnership with the Corruption Prevention Commission, a recent training brought together integrity officers from across the public sector to sharpen their skills in managing conflicts of interest, enforcing gift restrictions, and recognising risks. Find out how this initiative is empowering officials to uphold professional standards, tackle misconduct and make government services fairer and more transparent for everyone.

Moldovan authorities strengthen their capacity to combat money laundering in line with EU standards

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Promoting accountability, transparency and ethical conduct among public servants is key to building trust in public institutions. In partnership with the Corruption Prevention Commission, a recent training brought together integrity officers from across the public sector to sharpen their skills in managing conflicts of interest, enforcing gift restrictions and recognising risks. Find out how is this empowering officials to uphold professional standards.

Building national capacities in open-source intelligence for combating financial crime

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Law enforcement officers and prosecutors from the Republic of Moldova are improving their skills to tackle increasingly complex threats. Through practical training supported by the Council of Europe, participants learned to harness open-source intelligence tools to investigate money laundering and related crimes. See how these new techniques are helping the Republic of Moldova’s professionals gather reliable evidence and stay ahead of evolving criminal tactics.

Fostering supervision over the non-financial sector

REGIONAL

Regulatory authorities from Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine recently joined forces to tackle vulnerabilities in sectors most at risk of money laundering and terrorist financing. At a regional workshop, participants explored how enhanced oversight of professions like real estate agents, lawyers and notaries can help safeguard the financial system. By sharing practical tools and aligning with international standards, these countries are working together to close regulatory gaps and support a stronger, more resilient regional response to financial crime.


STRENGTHENING JUSTICE

__________________________________________________________________________________

CEPEJ Online Workshop on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Justice in the Republic of Moldova

REGIONAL

Judges and court staff from the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova joined Council of Europe experts in an online workshop focused on the growing use of artificial intelligence in judicial decision-making. The event explored both opportunities and risks that AI introduces to courts, such as implications for judicial independence, transparency, and the need for effective human oversight. Participants also examined current European frameworks guiding the ethical and responsible use of AI in the justice sector, including recent guidelines and the new Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI. See how these discussions are supporting the Constitutional Court’s efforts to address emerging technologies in line with European standards.


GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S ACCESS TO JUSTICE

__________________________________________________________________________________

Advancing gender equality through judicial training: Conference highlights pathways towards mandatory training for judges and prosecutors

REGIONAL

Judges, prosecutors, and judicial trainers from across Europe recently gathered in Chișinău to focus on advancing gender equality through targeted training. Hosted in partnership with the Moldovan National Institute of Justice, the conference explored how structured, gender-sensitive training empowers justice professionals to support women’s access to justice and combat violence against women. Find out how regional and EU-wide cooperation is helping justice systems deliver fairer outcomes and drive progress toward equality.


STAY UPDATED: FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

__________________________________________________________________________________ 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.

The highlights were produced with the financial support of the European Union and the Council of Europe. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the author(s). Views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of either party.

MORE INFORMATION:

Partnership for Good Governance Co-ordination Team
Directorate of Programme Co-ordination
Council of Europe
Avenue de l'Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex
France

Partnership for Good Governance