On April 15, 2025, ACER took part in the High-Level Meeting “Fighting Corruption: Innovations Against Illicit Power” held in Skopje. Organized by SELDI.net, the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD), and the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (MCIC), the event brought together regional and international stakeholders to discuss innovative approaches to tackling corruption and illicit financial flows in the Western Balkans, especially in the context of rising geopolitical tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Key speakers from North Macedonia, the EU, U.S., Switzerland, and the Netherlands emphasized the need for political will, institutional reform, and cross-border cooperation. Two panels addressed:

• Mechanisms to fight corruption and ensure economic stability;

• Institutional resilience and the fight against state capture.

CSD presented findings on illicit flows linked to dual-use goods, urging regional coordination to prevent sanctions evasion. Participants called for stronger financial investigations, better recruitment practices, investment screening, and the reinvestment of seized assets to support civil society. The meeting highlighted the urgent need to restore public trust and strengthen the rule of law in the region.