Rome, 15 April 2026

The Phygital-OC project hosted its second Exchange Event in April 2026, bringing together representatives from EU-funded projects, the European Commission, law enforcement agencies and partner organisations to strengthen cooperation in dismantling organised crime and enable a more coordinated response.

Held online, the event brought together participants from across Europe and beyond, providing a platform to share insights into how the problem posed by organised crime groups (OCGs) is evolving. Building on the first Exchange Event, this session aimed to deepen an understanding of the problem, identify common challenges and foster collaboration between initiatives.

The Exchange Event convened a wide range of projects, including UNTOC III, PREVENT, Phygital-OC, Safe Borders, EUCPN-ENAA, the European Operational Team (EOT 2025–26), COP IDEA, OCTOPUS, and Breaking the Broker. Together, participants exchanged perspectives on the increasingly complex and technology-enabled nature of organised crime, outlining the specific problems their projects are addressing and the approaches being developed to tackle them.

Across the discussion, several common challenges emerged. Participants highlighted the growing convergence of digital and physical activities, including the use of online platforms for recruitment, coordination and exploitation. The expansion of “crime-as-a-service” models, alongside gaps in data, legislation and enforcement frameworks, were also identified as key concerns.

Participants also underscored the importance of innovation and cooperation. Projects are advancing tools such as open-source intelligence (OSINT), artificial intelligence (AI) and improved data-sharing mechanisms to strengthen detection and response. The need to build trust between agencies, enhance information exchange, and develop more coordinated approaches was also emphasised.

“This Exchange Event highlights the importance of connecting projects and building a shared understanding of the challenges we face,” said Annachiara Lagreca, Phygital-OC project coordinator. “By working together and learning from one another, we can strengthen our collective response to organised crime.”

The event forms part of the wider Phygital-OC Exchange Event series, which connects law enforcement, judicial authorities and civil society working to prevent, detect and dismantle organised crime. It also provides a trusted space for open and constructive dialogue, supporting stronger collaboration across the European landscape.