The programme was in operation between 2021 and 2023. It provided assistance to the Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine). The aim was to strengthen evidence-based, anti-corruption policy development and the implementation of reforms; reinforce law-enforcement action against high-level and complex corruption; and strengthen specific, corruption-prone sectors such as education and business. It was jointly implemented by the OECD/ACN and the Open Government Partnership.
Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Collaboration with the European Union
In 2021, collaboration between ACN and the EU began with the launch of the EU for Integrity Programme for the Eastern Partnership.
Successful anti-corruption policies, the prevention of and fight against high-level and complex corruption are all key to building resilient states and societies. They are also among the priorities of the Eastern Partnership countries' post-2020 agenda.
The EU for Integrity Programme (2021-23) helped put into place innovative methodologies and tools for the OECD’s engagement with Eastern Partnership countries on anti-corruption issues, through peer pressure and by exchanging experiences. Continued use of these methods will help ensure a strategic, integrated and sustained approach towards tackling corruption, particularly at higher levels.
Building on this, the objectives for 2024-26 are to help Eastern Partnership countries:
- strengthen the implementation of anti-corruption reforms
- reinforce law enforcement responses to high-level and complex corruption
- boost business integrity actions.
This will be done through regional dialogue, enhanced monitoring with engagement from civil society, and in-depth analysis and sharing experiences on law enforcement and business integrity issues.
Notes:
Eastern Partnership countries are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
Georgia’s participation in the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan's fifth round of monitoring is subject to Georgia rejoining this peer-review programme.
The participation of Belarus and Russia in OECD bodies was suspended in 2022, following Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.