PROJECT UPDATE
Project Overview
The initiative supported Paraguay’s Public Ministry’s Anti-corruption and Money Laundering unit.
Project Profile
The Technical Assistance Partnership–Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM) project, with one of Canada’s premier experts in financial crime, Patrice Poitevin, is working with the Government of Paraguay to support its Public Ministry’s Anti-corruption and Money Laundering unit, the UDEA.
The work included capacity building for federal prosecutors and investigators by providing comprehensive training and coaching on best practices, lessons learned, strategies, tools, investigation techniques and methodologies, and asset tracing to better address financial crime.
The capacity-building sessions specifically focused on fighting corruption and improving coordination between institutions and the Prosecutor’s Office. They covered strengthening criminal investigations, improving structures and procedures, and strategies to address bribery and transnational bribery, confiscation, and asset recovery. Sessions also included identifying typologies of money laundering, ways of detection, initiation of investigations, and inter-institutional coordination. Training and coaching focused on expanding UDEA’s operational approach to investigate both the supply and demand sides of corruption, as well as on developing a communication and prevention strategy to increase the visibility and credibility of UDEA and its partners.
The training and coaching resulted in the development of an action plan to help put into practice what was learned.
Key Deliverables
- Capacity Support and Training
- Delivered two days of coaching focused on reviewing major cases and analyzing current practices to identify gaps and provide actionable recommendations for improvement
- Conducted two-day training programs to enhance participants knowledge and capacities
- Technical Support and Knowledge Products
- Developed an action plan in collaboration with UDEA senior leaders to implement recommendations, best practices, and lessons learned, addressing identified gaps and challenges
Project Outcomes and Lessons Learned
The project improved the capacity of the UDEA to investigate and prosecute corruption, money laundering, and terrorism financing cases, and to strengthen fiscal investigation practices, procedures, and tools.
A key lesson learned was the positive impact of involving a skilled interpreter from Colombia to support the Canadian technical expert in Paraguay. This significantly improved understanding and adaptation during the brief intervention period.
Reach and Engagement
Direct Project Reach:
- 36 participants engaged through activities conducted and project deliverables
Public Engagement (Canada):
- 61 Canadians reached through outreach and engagement events
Public Engagement Activities:
- During the initiative, Canadian expert Patrice Poitevin:
- Participated in the TAP Knowledge Harvest Event in Ottawa
- Wrote an article for the TAP Blog during Global Goals Week on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Was interviewed on TAP’s Canadian Changemakers and Au-delà des Frontières Podcast
