In its inaugural year, Project Compass has produced tangible law enforcement outcomes against "The Com," a sprawling, decentralized extremist network that preys on minors and vulnerable people in both digital and physical spaces.
The initiative operates under the coordination of Europol's European Counter Terrorism Centre and unites law enforcement agencies from across EU Member States alongside partners in Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Its core mission is to bolster cross-border collaboration in the prevention, detection, and investigation of criminal activity tied to the network.
The Com thrives within a fragmented online landscape, exploiting social media platforms, encrypted messaging apps, gaming environments, and music streaming services to recruit, radicalize, and exploit young people. Its lack of centralized leadership makes it highly adaptable and resistant to traditional disruption methods, demanding sustained and coordinated international action.
Operational Impact
Since launching in January 2025, Project Compass has contributed to the following results:
- 4 victims safeguarded
- 30 perpetrators arrested
- 62 victims identified or partially identified
- 179 perpetrators identified or partially identified
- 9 joint awareness-raising activities conducted
The project facilitates coordinated investigations, enables rapid responses to emerging threats, and provides a structured framework for operational intelligence sharing across 28 participating countries.
