Enhancing and modernizing the Romanian asset recovery system
Switzerland’s Second Contribution to European Union Member States
On December 12, 2022, the Framework Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Swiss Federal Council was signed regarding the implementation of the second Swiss contribution in certain European Union member states to reduce economic and social disparities within the European Union (hereinafter the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Program), which was approved by Government Decision No. 61/2023, as subsequently amended and supplemented.
Under the Framework Agreement, Romania receives a non-reimbursable financial contribution of 221.5 million CHF from the total allocation of 1.102 billion CHF approved for economic and social cohesion in the 13 countries that joined the EU after 2004, focused on 10 thematic areas covering the social sector—with an emphasis on rural and underdeveloped areas—as well as education and research, support for SMEs, public safety and security, health, sustainable development, energy efficiency, and transportation.
Public Safety and Security Program (Justice)
The Public Safety and Security Program (Justice), funded through the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Program, aims to strengthen the judicial system’s capacity to effectively combat crime and uphold the rule of law, focusing on two thematic areas, namely:
Combating organized crime, corruption, and financial crime, as well as supporting the recovery of proceeds of crime;
Improving and strengthening a child-friendly justice system.
The program receives non-reimbursable financial assistance from the Swiss Federal Council in the amount of 10,000,000 CHF (85%), supplemented by national co-financing of approximately 1,764,706 CHF (15%), with an estimated implementation period of 42 months.
The Ministry of Justice serves as the Program Operator.
Complete information about the Swiss contribution is available at: https://www.swiss-contribution.ro/web/swiss/home and https://www.just.ro/swiss/
Program Component No. 4
Program Component No. 4, “Strengthening and Modernizing the National System for the Recovery of Proceeds of Crime,” funded through the Public Security and Safety Program (Justice) under the Second Swiss Contribution in the field of cohesion — the Swiss Cooperation Program with Romania — is designed to support the implementation of the National Strategy on the Recovery of Proceeds of Crime for the period 2021–2025 — “Crime Doesn’t Pay!” — and its Action Plan.
Program Component Operator: National Agency for the Administration of Frozen Assets
Partner: Basel Institute on Governance (Switzerland)
Implementation Period: May 22, 2025 – April 22, 2027
Funding: The eligible amount under the funding agreement is 500,000 CHF, of which 425,000 CHF (85%) represents non-reimbursable external funding.
Expected Results:
• Result 1 - Assessment of the investigative capacity of Romanian authorities for the confiscation and recovery of proceeds of crime
• Result 2 - Improvement of investigative capacity in the field of asset recovery through the exchange of best practices and inter-institutional cooperation
Activities:
Activity 1.1 - Conducting an external audit of the investigative capacity of Romanian authorities regarding the confiscation and recovery of proceeds of crime
Intervention 1.1.1. On-site visit - A field visit by Swiss experts to Romania, involving thematic interviews with relevant institutions in the judiciary, law enforcement, and international cooperation
Intervention 1.1.2 Analysis of the collected data and drafting of the audit report - A detailed analysis of the data and observations collected during the on-site visit.
Intervention 1.1.3 Validation of results (second visit – 2 days) - During this two-day monitoring visit, ICAR experts will meticulously validate the initial conclusions through in-depth analysis sessions with key stakeholders.
Intervention 1.1.4 Communication of Audit Findings and Recommendations - A public event organized in Bucharest to share the audit findings and discuss the best ways to implement the recommendations
Activity 1.2. - Obtaining the ISO 37001:2017 Integrity Standard
Activity 2.1 - Organizing a study visit to Switzerland and a public event focused on best practices in asset recovery
Intervention 2.1.1 Study visit to Switzerland - Six representatives from the Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation within the Ministry of Justice (DDICJ), ANABI, and the Public Ministry—General Prosecutor’s Office—will conduct a study visit to Swiss partners to learn about best practices in asset recovery.
Intervention 2.1.2 A two-day public event dedicated to best practices in asset recovery (100 participants) - A two-day public event organized to exchange best practices in the field of asset recovery.
Activity 2.2. - Development of an e-Learning Management System (LMS) designed as a hub for professionals in the field of asset recovery
Intervention 2.2.1 E-Learning Infrastructure: customization and implementation of an e-Learning Management System (LMS), procurement of licenses and IT equipment for content development at ANABI - This initiative involves collaborating with experts from the training team at the Basel Institute on Governance and the International Center for Asset Recovery (ICAR) to create and customize an e-learning system at ANABI, based on the Moodle platform.
Intervention 2.2.2 E-Learning Knowledge - Providing specialized training courses on the development of e-learning modules and practical training on the use of e-learning content creation tools—for 10 trainers at ANABI.
Intervention 2.2.3 – Development of Multimedia E-Learning Courses - Fifty multimedia support materials for e-learning modules (video tutorials and e-learning modules) will be developed.
A specific objective of the strategy is to improve the professionalism and efficiency of institutions involved in the process of asset recovery and management. To achieve this objective, the component focuses on improving quality criteria in asset recovery and management activities. This involves revising the system of indicators used to assess the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of these processes, ensuring higher standards and better results.
A key measure under this component is the assessment of the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the criminal asset recovery chain through an external audit. This audit will evaluate the investigative, prosecutorial, and administrative support capabilities of the Romanian authorities responsible for asset recovery, identifying areas for improvement and adopting best practices. This audit will assess, in an integrated manner, the national asset recovery system and its main pillars: the investigative, prosecutorial, and administrative support capabilities of Romanian authorities, such as ANABI. This audit will provide an up-to-date overview of the national system and offer recommendations for improvement through administrative, legislative, and policy measures, as well as by promoting the widespread dissemination of best practices.
To further enhance the capacity of Romanian authorities to recover assets derived from crime, ANABI will enter into a strategic partnership with Swiss institutions, building on previous successful collaborations. As part of this component, ANABI will work closely with the International Center for Asset Recovery (ICAR) of the Basel Institute on Governance. This partnership aims to leverage Swiss expertise to improve knowledge and the exchange of best practices in the field of asset recovery.
The Swiss partnership will be essential for providing high-level technical assistance and specialized training, as well as for facilitating the dissemination of international best practices. This collaboration will contribute significantly to achieving the component’s objectives by enhancing the professionalism and efficiency of the institutions involved in asset recovery and management. Through this partnership, the component ensures alignment with international standards and practices, thereby strengthening Romania’s system for combating serious crime and reinforcing the principle that criminal activities “are not profitable.”