CEPOL and EPPO bring authorities together to help protect EU-funded support

Protecting public funding against fraud and corruption requires authorities to recognise risks, understand each other’s responsibilities and cooperate across borders. On 21–22 October 2026, CEPOL, through TOPCOP project, and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) held a workshop at CEPOL headquarters in Budapest on safeguarding EU-funded support against infiltration by organised crime.

The workshop took place under the EMPACT Operational Action Plan (OAP) on Most Threatening Criminal Groups and Individuals (MTCNi), where EPPO and CEPOL are Action Leaders of two operational actions. 

It brought together representatives of law enforcement and judicial authorities from Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine and EU Member States. Experts from the European Commission, EPPO, Europol and the World Bank also participated, alongside EMPACT representatives.

The exchanges aimed to build a shared understanding of how EU funding is allocated, spent and monitored, and of the responsibilities of the authorities involved. They also provided an opportunity to explore cooperation in detecting and investigating fraud involving EU funds, particularly where organised criminal groups are involved, and to share relevant practices, tools and methods.