On 6 October 2025, the Law and Internet Foundation (LIF) hosted the First Partner Meeting of the INCEPT project - “Supporting cross-border judicial cooperation in cases related to INterCEPTion of telecommunications”, funded by the EU Justice Programme (JUST-2024-JCOO).
The project aims to strengthen cross-border judicial cooperation in cases involving the interception of telecommunications, by developing a common methodology, promoting the exchange of good practices, and enhancing the capacities of judicial practitioners across the EU.
Key Highlights:
The meeting brought together representatives from all consortium partners - Law and Internet Foundation (Bulgaria), Adam Mickiewicz University (Poland), CEELI Institute (Czechia), and the Science and Research Centre of Koper (Slovenia) - to discuss progress within each Work Package and align on the next steps for the project’s implementation.
🔹 WP1: Project Management and Coordination
LIF presented updates on project coordination, quality assurance, and reporting, stressing the importance of timely deliverables and compliance with the lump-sum funding model, which links payments to the level of completion of project activities.
🔹 WP2: Data Collection and INCEPT Methodology
The ZRS team shared findings from Deliverable D2.1 - Report with Collected and Analysed Data, which includes a comparative review of national and EU legal frameworks, case law, and identified challenges.
The next phase will focus on analysing responses to the INCEPT questionnaire and drafting the INCEPT Methodology, aimed at improving coordination and standardisation in cross-border cases.
🔹 WP3: Capacity Building Activities
LIF presented progress on capacity building efforts, including the first international training, held on 7 October in Sofia, which gathered judges, prosecutors, and lawyers from multiple countries. Participants engaged in lectures and practical exercises on the application of the European Investigation Order (EIO) in cases involving telecommunications interception.
The second international training is planned for May 2026 in Poznań, Poland.
🔹 WP5: Dissemination and Communication
The CEELI Institute showcased the outcomes of dissemination activities:
- more than 30 social media posts,
- 3 newsletters with high engagement rates,
- and growing online visibility on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Upcoming actions include expanding outreach and preparing for the final conference in Prague, where the INCEPT Manual will be officially presented.
Looking Ahead:
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to finalising the INCEPT Methodology, conducting national training sessions across all partner countries, and reinforcing communication efforts to maximise the project’s impact at the EU level.
The meeting marked an important milestone in strengthening cooperation among project partners and advancing the effective implementation of the European Investigation Order in cases involving telecommunications interception.
