On 25 November 2014 the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI), a member of the SELDI network, and the Centre for Security Cooperation (RACVIAC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Macedonia, organized a regional conference in Skopje on the Trends and Challenges in Implementing Anti-corruption Strategies. Representatives of the Southeast European Leadership for Development and Integrity initiative (SELDI) from Bulgaria and Macedonia took part in the event.
The participants in the conference put emphasis on the importance of monitoring mechanisms for the efficient implementation of the Anti-corruption Strategies in the Southеast European countries. In this context, the participants discussed the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative Work Plan 2014 – 2015. They noted that there is no one-size–fits-all solution when it comes to the design and implementation of anti-corruption strategies. The participants also concluded that the effectiveness of a national anti-corruption strategies depend to a great extent on whether they have been designed taking into consideration the country’s context and main corruption challenges.
Mr. Ruslan Stefanov, Coordinator of the SELDI initiative and Director of the Economic Program at the Center for the Study of Democracy underlined that South Eastern Europe as region is constantly under systemic corruption pressure. He presented the main findings of the SELDI Regional Anti-corruption Report and stressed on the fact that CSOs are among the most important stakeholders in countering corruption. However, there is a lack of effectively established formal mechanisms for engaging civil society on the part of the national governments. According to Mr. Stefanov there is a risk of capturing of CSOs by private interests and corruption systems due to the absence of mandatory procedures for transparency in the sector, ineffective control of compliance with financial regulations, lack of auditing culture and low level of self-regulation. Mr. Stefanov concluded by listing the recommendations and conclusions of the conference, highlighting the importance of effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms of the national anti-corruption strategies and action plans.
Mr. Borjan Gjuzelov, Expert at the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation and member of the SELDI initiative spoke about his experience in monitoring the implementation of the anti-corruption strategies in the Republic of Macedonia. He explained the specifics of the State Program for Prevention and Repression of Corruption and Prevention and Reduction of Conflict of Interest 2011-2015. He made overview of the Action plan, which includes 220 implementation monitoring indicators and 156 effectiveness monitoring indicators. Mr. Gjuzelov highlighted the importance of the use of online application for collection of data and shares several ideas for future improvement of the measures. The recommendations included the use of output and impact indicators, prioritization of risk areas, independent ‘third party’ monitoring, utilizing the CSOs’ expertise.
Mr. Rosen Kukushev, Ministry of Interior, Bulgaria, gave a presentation about the role of the Center for Prevention and Countering Corruption and Organized Crime, and the main activities and results of the Bulgarian mechanism for countering corruption. Mr. Kukushev explained its matrix organization and role as environment for creating, updating and implementation of intervention systems. In his further elaboration He talked about the preparation of packages of measures such as preliminary analyzes of risk areas, analysis of specific laws and others legislation and proposals for changes of regulations.
Agenda (Adobe PDF, 472 KB)
Recommendations and conclusions of the Conference (Adobe PDF, 325 KB)
SELDI Regional Anti-corruption Report
Presentation by Mr. Borjan Gjuzelov, Macedonian Center for International Cooperation (Adobe PDF, 379 KB)
For full summary of discussion and presentations please visit the website of the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative.