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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

Including civil society perspectives in UNCAC: Lessons from other international treaties

A review mechanism without meaningful participation reduces credibility and impact. Strengthening the involvement of civil society organisations will help the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) meet its standards in reducing corruption.

20 December 2024

How to make the UN Convention against Corruption’s Implementation Review Mechanism more effective

UNCAC is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. Reforming its Implementation Review Mechanism would enable it to live up to…

29 October 2024

Non-state actors and anti-corruption work in Cambodia: Gaps, opportunities, and synergies

Civil society has been restricted in recent years, but opportunities exist for engagement and impact.

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

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…

From the blog

Blog
Civil society and development in Cambodia: Challenges and opportunities for anti-corruption
The Cambodian government has been closing down the civic space for several years, especially for anti-corruption organisations. But there remains…
29 August 2024
Civil society
Politics of anti-corruption
Blog
Thirty years of anti-corruption: A personal reflection (part 2)
John Githongo outlines a way forward for anti-corruption – and democracy – in the Global South (part 2 of 2)
20 February 2024
Civil society
Anti-corruption basics
Politics of anti-corruption
Blog
Thirty years of anti-corruption: A personal reflection (part 1)
Journalist and activist John Githongo reflects on the shifting story of anti-corruption in Africa, from Western models to new agendas (part 1 of 2)
20 February 2024
Civil society
Politics of anti-corruption
Anti-corruption basics
Blog
Informality in Uganda’s illegal wildlife trade: The promise and perils of community engagement
Uganda’s rich biodiversity is threatened by the illegal wildlife trade. But efforts to tackle the trade are undermined by corruption. Sustained…
11 January 2024
Renewable resources
Natural resources and energy
Social norms and networks
Civil society
Blog
Three waves of (anti-)corruption measurement: The role of civil society in driving innovation and progress
Civil society has been behind much of the development in how we measure corruption – reflecting the evolution of the entire anti-corruption field over…
20 December 2023
Evaluation and measurement
Civil society
Corruption risk management and integrity
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 and integrity
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

Latest publications

U4 Issue
Including civil society perspectives in UNCAC: Lessons from other international treaties
A review mechanism without meaningful participation reduces credibility and impact. Strengthening the involvement of civil society organisations will…
20 December 2024
Civil society
Development cooperation
U4 Brief
How to make the UN Convention against Corruption’s Implementation Review Mechanism more effective
UNCAC is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. Reforming its Implementation Review Mechanism would enable it to live up to…
29 October 2024
Civil society
U4 Issue
Non-state actors and anti-corruption work in Cambodia: Gaps, opportunities, and synergies
Civil society has been restricted in recent years, but opportunities exist for engagement and impact.
21 August 2024
Civil society
Politics of anti-corruption
U4 Helpdesk Answer
The role of civil society organisations in countering transnational corruption
CSOs are critical in combating transnational corruption, by generating evidence and advocating for change, especially in contexts with open civic…
22 May 2024
Civil society
Illicit financial flows
U4 Helpdesk Answer
Anti-corruption awareness raising: Effective messaging and best practices
Findings on the impact of anti-corruption awareness campaigns suggest that highlighting progress in anti-corruption efforts and the public's strong…
3 May 2024
Civil society
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 and integrity
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

Further Resources

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

Topic Experts

Saul Mullard

Saul Mullard

Senior Adviser

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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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