On 9 September 2024, the Twinning light project “Further Enhancing the Functioning of Montenegrin AFCOS System to Efficiently Protect EU Financial Interests” officially commenced. Funded by the EU with a grant of 250,000 EUR, the project is set to run for 8 months.
The main beneficiary of this project is Montenegro’s Ministry of Finance, Directorate for budget inspection, combating irregularities and fraud, specifically the Department for Combating Irregularities and Fraud (AFCOS office). The project partner is the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Croatia, through its Sector for Coordination of the System for Combating Irregularities and Fraud in the Use of EU Funds (AFCOS Unit). The Croatian Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFCA) will oversee the project’s administrative and financial management.
Main focus of the project is to strengthen the legal and strategic framework of Montenegro’s AFCOS system, enhancing its capacity to protect both national and EU financial interests. The project will also enhance awareness among relevant stakeholders regarding the proper management of IPA funds and strengthen the capacity of AFCOS system staff through peer-to-peer training, workshops and study visits.
The project’s opening took place on 13 September 2024 at the Delegation of the European Union (DEU) to Montenegro in Podgorica. The ceremony included remarks from the Head of the Cooperation of the DEU, Mr. Yngve Engstroem, Mrs. Nataša Kovačević, Montenegro’s Project Leader and Head of AFCOS office in the Ministry of Finance of Montenegro, and Mrs. Mirjana Jurić, Croatian Member State Project Leader and Head of Sector for coordination of the System for combating irregularities and fraud in the use of EU funds (AFCOS Unit). This meeting provided an opportunity for the Beneficiary Project Leader, the Member State Project Leader and the DEU to align on the implementation plan and goals.
