European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT)

The European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) is a security initiative driven by the EU Member States to identify, prioritise and address threats posed by organised and serious international crime. It does this by creating the conditions for cooperation between the relevant services of the Member States, EU institutions and agencies, as well as the private sector and non-EU countries and organisations. 

The aim of module is to give participants a broad understanding of the EMPACT cycle. This includes an overview of the main players involved, the key aspects of the planning and implementation of the 2026-2029 cycle, and how EMPACT operational activities are delivered, managed and evaluated.

The module consists of an introductory chapter, seven topic chapters and a glossary of terms and abbreviations related to EMPACT. There are also quizzes to test participants’ knowledge and understanding. A certificate and a badge will be provided to those who successfully complete all the quizzes.

Upon completion of the module, the participants will be able to:

• Outline the historical development of EMPACT;
• Describe the roles of the different actors involved in EMPACT;
• Summarise the European Union Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (EU-SOCTA);
• Breakdown the political policy process by which the crime priorities are set for the EMPACT;
• Differentiate the strategic planning, operational activities, management, monitoring and assessment of the EMPACT and its implementation.

EMPACT training activity

Combatting new forms of organised crime requires more cooperation between police and gendarmes, customs officers, border guards, judges, and prosecutors. EU institutions, agencies and Member States work together to tackle organised and serious international crime through a permanent and key instrument: the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT).

CEPOL plays a crucial role in the EMPACT mechanism through the provision of specialised training and the identification of training needs within each common security threat. Every year, CEPOL provides a comprehensive training package for each common EU crime priority consisting of onsite, online and exchange training activities.

Check more of CEPOL's EMPACT training activities here.