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Civil society

People's engagement and participation in anti-corruption initiatives and social accountability

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Basic guide

Read our introduction to corruption and anti-corruption efforts in civil society.

Featured content

U4 Practice Insight

Civil society monitoring in the health sector

For successful engagement with and effective monitoring of the health sector, it is important to select the right partner, work closely with communities and authorities, and consider the most appropriate project design and implementation.

24 October 2022

Social accountability and anti-corruption in Ghana’s Fertiliser Subsidy Programme

Social accountability interventions by CSOs have helped to reduce smuggling and have improved local-level governance. However, they require more…

Supporting civil society during the Covid-19 pandemic

Large disbursements of funds to tackle the current crisis are at risk of corruption. Through digital accountability networks, civil society can play a…

Overcoming the pitfalls of engaging communities in anti-corruption programmes

Trust, the sense of ownership, and inclusion create and strengthen participation by enabling community members to express their opinions and…

1 February 2020

Incubating change-makers

Youth-centric anti-corruption programmes have the potential to turn innovative ideas into effective initiatives to reduce corruption and hold…

From the blog

Blog
Anti-corruption games: Learning how to face corruption challenges
Anti-corruption games provide opportunities to raise awareness and refine skills for addressing corruption-related issues. Here, we take a look at how…
23 November 2023
Anti-corruption basics
Evaluation and measurement
Corruption risk management
Development cooperation
Private sector
Civil society
Social norms and networks
Blog
Accountability deficit: Why do citizens vote for corrupt politicians?
Complex media environments make it hard for voters to make informed choices. And loyalty to one’s ‘group’, as well as pessimism about the likelihood…
6 November 2023
Politics of anti-corruption
Civil society
Blog
Corruption is unaffordable for Latin America’s resurgent left: Democracy and lives are at stake
Of the 19 national governments in Latin America, 12 now represent the political left. If these leaders and parties want to enhance their legitimacy,…
16 October 2023
Politics of anti-corruption
Natural resources and energy
Public financial management
Civil society
Blog
Strategic litigation and its untapped potential for anti-corruption
Human rights civil society organisations regularly use strategic litigation to bring about societal change. In the anti-corruption arena, it is still…
11 July 2023
Civil society
Illicit financial flows
Politics of anti-corruption
Blog
How to (legally) silence an anti-corruption activist
Violence and threats against anti-corruption defenders are common, but legal actions are also used to silence them – also known as 'lawfare'. See what…
17 October 2022
Illicit financial flows
Civil society
Blog
A global database on environmental corruption could help protect nature and society
Corruption plays a significant role in environmental harms around the world. A global database of environmental corruption could assist anyone working…
26 September 2022
Climate change
Civil society
Natural resources and energy
Renewable resources
Blog
5 ways to improve CSO engagement in UNCAC – and to help anti-corruption catch up with human rights
Civil society organisations (CSOs) must be more involved in global anti-corruption processes – like the UNCAC reviews – if we are to see transparency,…
14 September 2022
Civil society
Politics of anti-corruption
Blog
7 ways to keep the momentum behind anti-corruption reforms
Openings for decisive anti-corruption reform are precious. How can we ensure that change doesn't get bogged down? That momentum is not lost? And that…
5 September 2022
Politics of anti-corruption
Civil society
Blog
Conflict transformation agendas need more robust anti-corruption efforts
Anti-corruption and peacebuilding practitioners must work more closely together to secure better – and lasting – peace
12 May 2022
Development cooperation
Civil society
Corruption risk management

Latest publications

U4 Brief
Anti-corruption and integrity training: learning how to resist corruption
Innovative metrics and methodologies offer promising avenues for enhancing the effectiveness of integrity training.
3 December 2023
Corruption risk management
Evaluation and measurement
Civil society
Private sector
Development cooperation
U4 Issue
Community-based natural resource management as a good governance and anti-corruption method: Lessons from Madagascar
In Madagascar, high-level corruption can undermine local efforts to save the island’s threatened ecosystems. Communities need better participation and…
14 June 2023
Natural resources and energy
Renewable resources
Civil society
U4 Helpdesk Answer
Anti-corruption initiatives supported by civil society organisations in fragile states
Grassroots anti-corruption interventions led by local civil society organisations are recognised as crucial in addressing challenges and reducing…
31 May 2023
Civil society
U4 Helpdesk Answer
The implications of spyware and surveillance technology for anti-corruption activists
Modern surveillance software, including "zero click" technology, allows for mass and automated monitoring and tracking of people. It has been…
21 March 2023
Civil society
U4 Helpdesk Answer
Contribution of anti-corruption measures to democracy promotion
Anti-corruption reforms that enhance integrity, participation and independence will lead to an improved quality of democracy.
17 November 2022
Politics of anti-corruption
Civil society
U4 Practice Insight
Civil society monitoring in the health sector
For successful engagement with and effective monitoring of the health sector, it is important to select the right partner, work closely with…
24 October 2022
Health
Civil society
Covid-19 and corruption
Public service delivery
U4 Helpdesk Answer
Labour and employers’ associations, corruption risks and the potential of social dialogues
Labour unions and employers’ associations can also be vehicles for reform and there are a number of activities that they can undertake to curb…
22 August 2022
Civil society
U4 Report
Accountability in reconstruction
Ukraine’s reconstruction challenge includes establishing multi-faceted anti-corruption initiatives as part of an agenda of democratic renewal and…
5 July 2022
Human rights
Civil society
Ukraine
U4 Issue
Tuning in to the politics of (anti-)corruption: astute interventions and deeper accountability
‘Bottom-up’ interventions from coalitions of anti-corruption practitioners can help build a critical mass against politicised corruption and support…
30 March 2022
Politics of anti-corruption
Civil society

Further Resources

Blog post
Connecting anti-corruption efforts and civic engagement
Resource from others
Localising development: Does participation work?

Topic Experts

Saul Mullard

Senior Adviser

Email: saul.mullard@cmi.no

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The U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre works to reduce the harmful impact of corruption on society. U4 is a permanent centre at Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway.

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