EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI)

🇪🇺EU Ambassador to Ukraine: While much work remains, let me be clear — Ukraine’s progress over the past decade has been groundbreaking In an op-ed for The Kyiv Independent ambassador Katarina Mathernova argues that a decade after the Revolution of Dignity, Ukraine’s battle against corruption is reshaping its society and paving the way for its rightful place in Europe. She explains that the fight against corruption in Ukraine is far from over and must continue: anti-corruption bodies need strengthening, and the existing track record in investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating corruption cases must continue to grow. 💭“Corruption scandals involving public officials across the country and various sectors regularly make headlines. I often remind those who ask about these cases that their exposure, somewhat paradoxically, reflects Ukraine’s progress in combating abusive practices. If no corruption cases were uncovered, I would be far more concerned,” Katarína Mathernová writes. In addition to being a core aspect of the EU integration process, anti-corruption and rule of law are also focal points of EU flagship programs in Ukraine: the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI) and EU Project Pravo-Justice. 🇺🇦“While the global political context remains complex and uncertain, Ukrainians can be assured of the EU’s resolve to support them. On the path to a just and sustainable peace. On the path to economic and social recovery. Ensuring that the space for corruption is diminished and that corrupt behavior is met with accountability and justice are key steps toward Ukraine’s rightful place in the European family,” Katarína Mathernová writes.

🏘Working with Local Communities to Promote Integrity During the opening of Integrity Day 2024, organized by the "House of Integrity" project with the support of U-LEAD with Europe , the Head of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI), Allan Pagh Kristensen, shared insights on how EUACI collaborates with local governments and supports partners in implementing practices of transparency, accountability and integrity. 💭"From our work with local communities, we continue to be so impressed by the will and commitment by many local representatives – be it politicians, officials, anti-corruption officers – to develop communities, to promote integrity and to take new initiatives in preventing corruption. That is also happening in communities that are facing daily attacks and where the hardship is immense. We also know that you don’t always get the credit you deserve for your hard work," Allan Pagh Kristensen said. 🤝The EUACI supports six Integrity Cities: Nikopol, Mykolaiv, Chernivtsi, Zhytomyr, Sheptytskyi and Mariupol. The EUACI is working closely together with ULEAD on strengthening the work on integrity at the local level.

⚡ Sharing Experiences in Corporate Governance and Best Integrity Practices in Municipal Enterprises On 10 December, the Lviv City Council hosted experts from the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI), representatives of Integrity Cities component, and specialists from Lviv's municipal enterprises. The event focused on discussing effective approaches to managing municipal enterprises. 🎯 The main goal of the event was to create a platform for establishing cooperation and exchanging experiences in implementing best practices for municipal enterprises, developed with the EUACI support. During the event, the EUACI experts presented the results of their collaboration with one of Mykolaiv's biggest municipal enterprises – Mykolaivvodokanal. They shared insights into updating procurement policies and implementing corporate governance elements, including the establishment of a supervisory board. The experience of Integrity Assessments was also highlighted. 💬 "The initiatives of Lviv and Mykolaiv City Councils to establish supervisory boards at municipal enterprises are not just successful cases for these cities. This is a practice that should be scaled across the entire municipal infrastructure of Ukraine. I hope that in 2025, the implementation of corporate governance will become a new standard for the municipal sector, especially in attracting external investments," said Team Lead of EUACI Integrity Cities Component Taras Sluchyk. 🌟The event marked the launch of cooperation between other cities aimed at increasing their capacity to apply the best practices of good governance.

⚖The All-Ukrainian Anti-Corruption Moot Court unites law students for the fourth year Searches, interrogations, court debates—this is how participants of VAM* 4.0 spent three days in Kyiv on 5-7 December. 30 students immersed themselves in the work of anti-corruption institutions under the guidance of NABU detectives, SAPO prosecutors, HACC judges and judge assistants, lawyers, and scientists in the criminal justice area and anti-corruption. ☝🏻 VAM* is an innovative and recognized project in Ukraine aimed at increasing students' interest in the fight against corruption in Ukraine. Participants have the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge in criminal law, investigation, and the judicial process regarding corruption crimes. “We have many events throughout the year, but there is always something special about the annual Moot Court. Here we have 30 excited young students – some of the best -, and we have some of the very best detectives, prosecutors and judges. What is happening here the next three days is about you and your teams, it is also about the future of your country, about building a better society - with rule of law and justice and less corruption” — Allan Pagh Kristensen, Head of the EUACI said in his welcome speech. ⭐️ Almost 130 teams applied for this year's Moot Court. As a result of the final stage in Kyiv, the team from Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, "Girl’s Clan," took first place and won an internship at the EUACI. Over three years, VAM* has united 1,200 law students from all over Ukraine. The Moot Court is organized by National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, SAPO, HACC, and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv with the support of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI). 🙌🏻 Uniting youth against corruption is a focus of this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day, celebrated on December 9. EUACI provides internship opportunities for students and supports youth projects such as VAM and NABU’s Anti-Corruption School. #EUACIsupport

⭐️ Remembering the progress achieved and moving forward: The EUACI marks the International Anti-Corruption Day 9 December is a day to remind citizens, organizations, and governments about the shared responsibility to prevent and combat corruption. 📈 Over the past decade, Ukraine has made remarkable progress: independent anti-corruption institutions have been established, a public asset declaration registry was put in place and the Prozorro e-procurement system was introduced. Just to mention a few highlights. Ukraine’s progress was demonstrated by moving up on the latter of Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index from country number 144 to country number 104 out of 180. "At the EUACI, we continue to support the many important developments in the anti-corruption field. During the last few months, we have engaged in new and interesting initiatives such as the reconstruction of school canteens, working with gender and HR at NABU, supporting DOT, preparing for EU accession, selecting 9 new civil society partners and launching a strategic work on integrity in education. All our good work would not be possible without our excellent Ukrainian partners - and not without my fantastic EUACI team that continues to deliver much more than anyone can expect. Thanks so much." Allan Pagh Kristensen, Head of the EUACI, comments. There is still much work ahead. The EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI) will continue to stand by Ukraine, supporting anti-corruption agencies, local governments, and civil society. 🌟 We believe that only together we can make Ukraine stronger, more successful, and more transparent. The timeline is prepared together with the EU Project Pravo-Justice. #AnticorDay2024

🤝 An Active Civil Society is a Driver of Anti-Corruption Changes in Ukraine One of the key intervention areas of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI) is supporting civil society and investigative media. 🗣 The EUACI Deputy Head Iryna Shyba presented the EUACI during the donor pitching panel on the main stage of the XIII Civil Society Development Forum. Iryna spoke about how NGOs can work with the EUACI in the fight against corruption and about the national calls in the areas of education, reconstruction and advocacy of the European integration of Ukraine that will be announced this and the next year. The forum, organized by ICAP Єднання, is one of Ukraine's largest platforms for networking and exchanging ideas among civil and donor organizations, charitable foundations, government institutions, civil activists, volunteers, and fundraisers. To recall, the EUACI has announced the National Call for Supporting Cultural Projects in the Fight Against Corruption. A presentation where NGO’s representatives can ask their questions about the grant support will take place on December 18 at 14:00 Kyiv time. 📅 Register for the presentation via the link: https://lnkd.in/ecRRrfY5 🔗 Details of the call: https://cutt.ly/neXpJd35

🔥36 regional journalists have begun training at the School of Investigative Journalism Over the next eight months, journalists, editors, and media managers working in regional media or as independent journalists and freelancers in Ukrainian regions will enhance their skills in investigating corruption. Under the mentorship of experienced colleauges, they will also have the opportunity to secure funding to conduct their own investigations. 🤝 The school is implemented by the Media Development Foundation with the support from the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI). 🗣"Much of the progress in fighting corruption in Ukraine, would not have happened without the media and investigative journalists. I deeply respect the brave reporters working near the frontline, but Ukraine also needs journalists to report on corruption and misconduct and about how the society is changing during the war. We don't hear much about regional media in Kyiv, but we know that good work is being done – often in difficult political environments where pressure and threats are common," said Allan Pagh Kristensen, Head of EUACI, in his opening remarks to the participants. The opening lecture was delivered by Mykhailo Tkach, coordinator of the school and head of investigations at Ukrainska Pravda. Leading journalists, editors, and experts from Nashi Groshi, Bihus.Info, Schemes (Radio Liberty), and the Anti-corruption Action Center also held lectures during the launch day of the program. 📚 The course is structured into five modules: - Basics of Investigative Journalism; - Advanced Investigative Methods; - Specifics of Investigations in Regions; - Monitoring Transparency in Reconstruction; - Storytelling for Creating Impactful Investigations. Participants will also attend 10 sector-specific workshops on investigative journalism with experts and government representatives and 10 workshops focused on building practical investigative skills in the digital environment. Kyiv Media School #EUACIsupport

🐎"I ride my horses to the petitioners — they feed the horses, they feed me, they feed the coachman, and they pay!" This is how Ukrainian writer and dramaturgist Ivan Karpenko-Karyy reflected on the issue of corruption in his 19th-century play Martyn Borulya. Today, as in Karpenko-Karyy's time, culture mirrors social problems and can play a crucial role in reshaping public attitudes. 📣 EUACI announces a national call for cultural organizations and artists. We are looking for creative ideas that can challenge perspectives on corruption through exhibitions, performances, YouTube projects, podcasts, discussions, public events, and other formats to promote integrity and effective fighting and preventing corruption. 🔗 Details: https://cutt.ly/neXpJd35  📅 Submission deadline: February 3, 2025. 📩 Submit your applications and questions to sofgol@um.dk. *The artwork in the illustration is an adaptation of Serhii Vasylkivskyi’s painting Cossacks in the Steppe, reimagined as part of the Corruptionism project initiated by the EUACI in 2021.

❗️The application deadline for the position of HR Consultant for the National Anti-Corruption Bureau is today. We are looking for a specialist who will help create a strong human resources management unit in NABU, develop effective adaptation, communication and personnel development programs. 📌 Details and application submission: http://surl.li/xgaulw 📅 Deadline: December 4, 2024, 17:00 Kyiv time 🌟 Create the future together with NABU and EUACI!

📢 We are looking for consultants to conduct an analysis of corruption risks and ways to minimize them in the field of taxation! 📌 Scope of work: - Analysis of corruption risks and practices in the taxation sphere. - Development of the research methodology and conducting surveys. - In-depth analysis and preparation of recommendations for reducing corruption risks. - Preparation of the report in both English and Ukrainian. 🙌 For details, check the link: https://cutt.ly/ReZD7dcC 📅 Proposal submission deadline: December 18, 2024, 18:00 Kyiv time. 📧 Send proposals to euaci@um.dk and ievrom@um.dk.