Deadline: 11-Jul-2026
The European Commission has launched a Twinning Light project to strengthen North Macedonia’s Anti-Fraud Coordination Unit (AFCOS) to better protect EU financial interests. The initiative focuses on improving legal frameworks, institutional capacity, fraud prevention systems, and cooperation with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).
This Twinning Light call is part of the EU Integration Facility under the 2024 Annual Action Plan for North Macedonia. It aims to reinforce institutional systems responsible for safeguarding EU funds under the Reform and Growth Facility.
The project supports alignment with EU standards on financial control, transparency, and anti-fraud governance.
Overall Objective
The main objective is to strengthen the Anti-Fraud Coordination Unit (AFCOS) in North Macedonia to ensure effective protection of EU financial interests.
This includes:
- Strengthening institutional and administrative capacities
- Improving legal and regulatory frameworks
- Enhancing fraud detection and prevention methodologies
- Supporting better coordination among national authorities
Specific Objectives
The initiative focuses on:
- Improving systems for managing EU funds
- Enhancing AFCOS operational methodologies
- Strengthening cooperation with EU bodies such as OLAF
- Developing risk-based fraud prevention strategies
- Increasing administrative capacity across relevant institutions
Project Scope and Duration
- Total budget: EUR 250,000 (EU funded)
- Duration: 8 months
- Possible extension: up to 3 additional months
- Implementation location: North Macedonia
- Policy alignment: Reform and Growth Facility Agreement
Key Institutional Functions of AFCOS
The strengthened AFCOS unit is expected to:
- Coordinate with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
- Facilitate information exchange between national institutions and the EU
- Support national coordination between administrative and prosecutorial bodies
- Develop a national anti-fraud strategy based on risk assessments
- Identify weaknesses in EU fund management systems
- Provide training on fraud prevention and detection
- Monitor and report irregularities, fraud, and corruption cases
- Ensure compliance with EU financial protection regulations
Expected Results
The project aims to deliver:
- Stronger legal and institutional framework for anti-fraud systems
- Improved methodologies for fraud prevention and detection
- Enhanced administrative capacity of national authorities
- Better coordination mechanisms with EU institutions
- Increased transparency and accountability in EU fund management
- Strengthened risk-based monitoring systems
Eligibility Criteria
The call is open exclusively to:
- Public administrations of EU Member States
- Mandated bodies designated under Twinning procedures
Applicants must apply through:
- National Contact Points in their respective Member States
- Compliance with the EU Twinning Manual
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be assessed based on:
- Institutional operational capacity
- Technical expertise of project teams
- Quality of proposed methodology
- Experience in anti-fraud or governance systems
- Institutional ability to deliver capacity-building results
Policy and Strategic Alignment
The initiative aligns with:
- EU Reform and Growth Facility objectives
- EU financial interest protection frameworks
- Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions)
- EU integration and governance strengthening priorities
Importance of the Initiative
This Twinning Light project is important because it:
- Strengthens protection of EU financial resources
- Enhances anti-fraud governance systems in North Macedonia
- Improves institutional cooperation with EU agencies
- Supports transparency and rule of law reforms
- Reduces risks of corruption and financial irregularities
- Reinforces EU integration processes
Conclusion
The European Commission’s Twinning Light call supports North Macedonia in strengthening its Anti-Fraud Coordination Unit to ensure stronger protection of EU financial interests. Through improved legal frameworks, institutional capacity, and cooperation with OLAF, the project aims to build a more transparent, accountable, and efficient anti-fraud system aligned with EU standards.
For more information, visit European Commission.