The Commission is launching a €16.5 million call for proposals to dismantle criminal networks

On 21 May, the European Commission published a call for proposals to co-fund projects aimed a tcombating organised crime, drug trafficking and human trafficking. With a budget of €16.55 million, support will be provided to police forces and law enforcement agencies in general, as well as to civil society and other public and private bodies working to dismantle criminal networks and their business models. The call for proposals will be open from 21 May until 3 September 2026. 

This call will support projects focused on improving intelligence on criminal networks; facilitating cross-border investigations and financial investigations; supporting crime prevention measures that combat criminal infiltration; and dismantling organised criminal networks involved in human trafficking within the EU.

The fight against organised crime is a priority for the EU. Organised criminal groups pose a threat to Europe. They resort to violence, corruption and intimidation to make huge profits, hiding their assets through complex schemes outside the formal financial system and subsequently using money laundering to infiltrate the legal economy.

Drug trafficking, including the production of illicit drugs, is one of the most lucrative crimes, causing violence, harming health and damaging the environment. Trafficking in human beings is the second most widespread illicit economic activity in the world, with around 10,000 victims annually in the EU. It is often linked to other crimes, such as drug trafficking, the smuggling of migrants, organised property crime, money laundering and document fraud.

This initiativesupports the implementation of theEU Internal Security Strategy (ProtectEU),theEU Drugs Strategy and the Action Plan against Drug Traffickingto strengthen Europe’s defences against organised crime. It also forms part ofthe Internal Security Fund. Work Programme 2023–2027.

Previous projects have addressed drug and human trafficking routes (Latin America, the Caribbean and the Western Balkans), AI tools for financial investigations, the strengthening of forensic expertise and frontline responses to child trafficking.

More information: European Commission.