The Council of Europe continues to support the Estonian FIU in its efforts to enhance its Strategic Analysis Function, through different complementary activities, including guidance and capacity-building of key staff, technical advice on IT solutions, and reviews and recommendations on the current framework, procedures and practices for strategic analysis.   

Within this endeavour, the Project is helping the Estonian FIU reflect on its internal and external operational procedures and standard work processes for strategic analysis, as well as the broader vision and intended use of the results produced through this key FIU function.  

Advice in this regard was provided in the form of a Technical Paper on “Enhancing Financial Intelligence Unit Operations: a Strategic Analysis Framework for Estonia”, as well as a series of online discussions on this topic. The Technical Paper builds on earlier discussions and preliminary advice from previous Project activities, and a consultative process with the members of the Estonian FIU in charge of Strategic Analysis. It is based on a review of documentation provided by the beneficiaries on their internal procedures as well as a description of practical challenges faced in their strategic analysis work. The Paper offers an expert review of the processes currently used internally by the FIU’s Strategic Analysis Department, as well as higher level considerations on the overall vision and strategy for the preparation and use of strategic analysis products at national level in Estonia. It presents practical targeted recommendations for the development and enhancement of the FIU’s operational procedures for strategic analysis. The guidance provided covers all aspects of the strategic analysis processes, practical tools, and main types of products, in a manner tailored to the Estonian context, while taking into account international standards and best practices.

Following up, upon the expression of additional interest by the Estonian FIU, the Council of Europe Project team also organised online meetings for them to discuss and learn further from other countries currently presenting an advanced stage of development and policy-level uptake of their FIUs’ strategic analysis work. The Estonian beneficiaries indicated that the support provided by the Project in this area had been inspiring, including useful and actionable advice in terms of operational procedures, but also strong motivation for promoting an increased role of the strategic analysis function both within the FIU and at national level.
   
This activity was conducted within the framework of the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) project on “Strengthening of Estonian AML framework”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the European Commission.