On November 5, 2024, the Coordination Center Countering Violent Extremism participated in a workshop organized by the AIRE Centre for the Western Balkans, regarding the regional project (research study) on “Women and Illicit Finance in the Western Balkans: Roles, Vulnerabilities, and Responses“. The AIRE Centre, a non-governmental organization established in 1993, promotes the implementation of European and international law.

The purpose of this research is to analyze the role of women in illicit financial activities across the six Western Balkan jurisdictions. The study aims to identify the most effective measures that stakeholders can take to address this phenomenon and determine the needs for further research.

The workshop was attended by representatives from the Security Academy, Anti-Corruption Directorate, Natinal Tax Administration, Training Center of Tax and Customs Administration (Ministry of Finance and Economy), NOA and UBA Bank.

The workshop opened with a presentation by the legal consultant, who mentioned the importance of the initial assessment phase. Discussions focused on women’s role in illicit finance, highlighting that in our country, gender is not a defined criterion for investigations related to law violations. This issue suggests that it should be considered in future research.

The Coordination Center Countering Violent Extremism remains committed to contributing to the promotion of constructive dialogue and improvement of policies addressing issues related to illicit financing and violent extremism.