PROJECT NAME:

Supporting Public Administration Reform and Rule of Law through Fighting Corruption and Improving Service Delivery – ACT NOW

SECTOR:

Public Finance Management & Public Administration

PROJECT VALUE:

Total cost of the project 199,981.20 Euros (EU contribution 179,983.00 Euros – 90%)

DURATION:

Start Date: April 01, 2023 End Date: September 30, 2025 (30 months)

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER:

Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS)

DIRECT BENEFICIARY:

Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS)

COVERAGE/IMPACT:

Rule of Law, Public Administration Reform, Good Governance

OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

The overall objective is to strengthen the civil society and capacities in two directions, including fight against corruption and an improved administration that is EU-compliant and more efficient. The specific objectives are: 1. Increasing civil society efforts in fighting corruption through regular court monitoring 2. Advancing justice sector efforts in the implementation of confiscation and management of illicit wealth 3. Strengthening civil society’s impact in PAR monitoring and awareness raising on PAR-related issues (ABR, efficiency, etc) 4. Increasing institutional accountability, efficiency and service delivery via awareness raising and informational campaigns

PROJECT PURPOSES:

First, the project aims to support the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts through systemic monitoring, and by directly engaging in enhancing institutional accountability and transparency, all while increasing efficiency in the fight against corruption, confiscation and management of criminal assets. Second, the Action will directly engage in improving the pace of implementation of public administration reforms that is still slow and inefficient.

ACTIVITIES:

Component 1 – Improve fight against corruption and the overall justice delivery: C.1.1. Systemic court monitoring (corruption and illicit wealth) C.1.2. Systemic monitoring of relevant ministries and agencies C.1.3. Capacity building for local CSOs and grassroots C.1.4. Civic education through thematic lectures in high schools and universities C.1.5. Policy debates and informal discussions C.1.6. Regular evidence-based analysis and advocacy Component 2 – Support the public administration reform, simplification of procedures and administrative burden reduction (ABR) C.2.1. Systemic monitoring of the implementation of ABR C.2.2. Thematic workshops with the business community, relevant chambers, citizens and institutional stakeholders C.2.3. Evidence-based analysis and monitoring reports on topics handled within the component C.2.4. Mystery shopping on selected public services to promote the “once only” principle and service delivery simplification C.2.5. Support institutional efforts and promote public consultations in PAR-related topics C.2.6. Informational campaigns on the right to compensation for administrative wrongdoings C.2.7. PAR Progress Annual Conference

RESULTS:

R1. Increased civil society and young professionals’ capacities R2. Improved performance and accountability of courts and prosecution in handling corruption cases and illicit wealth management R3. Enhanced CS role in impacting and contributing towards a fast-tracked PAR R4. Increased performance and accountability of public institutions in improving service delivery and simplification of administrative procedures R5. Boosted dialogue among CSOs, state institutions and other relevant stakeholders R6. Better informed and capacitated citizens and businesses to keep institutions accountable and seek compensation after administrative wrongdoings.