The UNCAC Coalition participated in the second plenary meeting of the EU network against corruption in Brussels, on October 3, 2024. It was attended by more than 100 representatives of national authorities, EU agencies and international organizations, academia and civil society.

We enquired about avenues for civil society cooperation with governmental anti-corruption networks, some of which are relatively young. In particular, EPAC/EACN (anti-corruption agencies and police oversight), NCPA (corruption prevention), NEIWA (whistleblower protection), ENPE (public ethics) and ICIN (police internal criminal investigations) presented their approach and forthcoming projects. Furthermore, speakers from prosecutors’ offices and judicial authorities from Romania, Austria and the Czech Republic underlined the critical role of whistleblowers and of civil society in monitoring high-level corruption cases. 

In the coming months, the new European Commission is expected to build the first EU anti-corruption strategy and the EU Network might inform this process. Besides, EU institutions will pursue negotiations towards the first directive on combatting corruption. 

More information in the European Commission’s press release: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-hosts-second-plenary-eu-network-against-corruption-2024-10-03_en

Background

 Launched in May 2023 as part of the European Commission’s anti-corruption set of proposals, the EU Network brings together national authorities, civil society, researchers, EU agencies, and international organizations to foster collaboration, share best practices, and strengthen the fight against corruption across the EU.