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Civil society
People's engagement and participation in anti-corruption initiatives and social accountability
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Benny Jackson, Unsplash
Basic guide
Read our introduction to corruption and anti-corruption efforts in civil society.
Read more
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
U4 Issue
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…
11 May 2021
U4 Guide
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…
30 April 2020
U4 Issue
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
U4 Issue
Incubating change-makers
Youth-centric anti-corruption programmes have the potential to turn innovative ideas into effective initiatives to reduce corruption and hold…
3 March 2020
From the blog
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
Blog
An independent expert on corruption and human rights: do we need one?
UN human rights mechanisms don’t always recognise the link between corruption and human rights. An independent expert would connect the two.
14 December 2021
Human rights
Civil society
Blog
Strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP): fighting back against vexatious lawsuits
Strategic litigation against public participation – SLAPP – targets journalists, whistleblowers, researchers, and civil society organisations with…
23 November 2021
Illicit financial flows
Civil society
Politics of anti-corruption
Blog
African civil society is busy ensuring accountable Covid-19 relief
Citizens in The Gambia, Nigeria, and South Africa are online to follow the money.
14 December 2020
Covid-19 and corruption
Civil society
Blog
Downward accountability in humanitarian aid: lessons from a hotline for refugees
The risks of corruption in humanitarian response can be reduced by aid organisation being answerable to their beneficiaries.
30 November 2020
Development cooperation
Civil society
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Learning and Events
Workshop
Honduras – People's engagement
4 September 2022
Register
Event
Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation – Crushing down anti-corruption defenders
Online
30 September 2021
Register
Latest publications
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
U4 Issue
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…
11 May 2021
Civil society
U4 Helpdesk Answer
The impact of anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing regulations on civic space and human rights
Regulations regarding anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism are being used to justify civil space restrictions and human…
15 April 2021
Illicit financial flows
Civil society
Human rights
TNRC Publication
Enrolling the local: Community-based anti-corruption efforts and institutional capture
Community-based anti-corruption efforts are often seen as a way to empower those affected by the negative consequences of corruption. However, when…
31 January 2021
Natural resources and energy
Civil society
U4 Brief
Corruption, informality and social norms
Understanding social norms, values, and informality are important for anti-corruption, conservation, and natural resource management programmes.
15 December 2020
Civil society
Natural resources and energy
Renewable resources
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Further Resources
Blog post
Connecting anti-corruption efforts and civic engagement
Resource from others
Localising development: Does participation work?
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Topic Experts
Saul Mullard
Senior Adviser
Email: saul.mullard@cmi.no