„The fight against corruption is more than a simple fight against crime – it is about good governance, integrity of public institutions and the trust of people. Societies fail without trust” said Acting Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina Renzo Daviddi in his opening remarks at the Kick-off event of the project “Support to NGOs in the fight against corruption” on Thursday in Sarajevo.
The project is implemented by the Consortium of HD European Consulting Group, DBB Akademie and Economic Policy and Regional Development (EPRD). It will provide technical assistance to the eight NGOs implementing EU grants on fight against corruption. All projects are financed by the European Union to the tune of 1,4 Million Euro.
According to Mr. Daviddi, the fight against corruption is important political criterion required from pre-accession countries. He pointed out that the public sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina is highly politicised, and that multiple levels of administration with their own legislation and competences make it particularly challenge for this country. “Fighting corruption is not Government task alone – the Government needs private sector and particularly civil society organisations”.
“Without the support of civil society, non-governmental organisations and the media, an anti-corruption agenda cannot be successful”.
The EU wants to further strengthen the capacities of BiH NGOs in the fight against corruption by offering technical assistance, spreading best practice, and giving broad encouragement to the process.
Following NGOs presented at this occasion their projects in the fight against corruption:
- Centre for Investigative Journalism “Empowering civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina to fight corruption: new tools and regional knowledge sharing”
- Foreign Policy Initiative “Monitoring corruption and protecting integrity”
- Kyodo “Combat corruption in education”
- Independent Bureau for Development “Less corruption – more jobs”
- Tender “Strengthening the first ‘watch dog’ function related to corruption in public procurement”
- Thomson Reuters Foundation and Mediacentar “Responsible journalism’s watching eye: Anti-corruption and the media”
- Transparency International BiH “National Integrity System assessment in Bosnia and Herzegovina”
- Vesta “Introducing anti-corruption measures at universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina”
