EU4 the Rule of Law: Citizen Engagement for Public Integrity (CEPI) in the Western Balkans and Turkey

The weak implementation of the rule of law is a major impediment to economic and political progress in the Western Balkans and Turkey and as such represents a crucial concern for EU enlargement. These weaknesses are particularly harmful in the area of the fight against corruption. Numerous international institutions  and local CSO reports, including TI’s own,  point to a lack of institutional independence, which undermines the system of checks and balances in the region and to insufficient government efforts to eliminate political influence on the judiciary. Some steps in the right direction have been taken but weaknesses remain in the form of lack of tangible results.

Transparency International’s so-called National Integrity System (NIS) assessment, which combines evidence-based advocacy with a participatory multi-stakeholder approach, presents a unique contribution to the field. Previous NIS assessments throughout the region have proven to be a valuable tool to increase the understanding of key stakeholders, governments, experts, journalists and public of the institutional environment and dynamics that enable corruption and prevent the implementation of laws that deliver integrity. The  NIS assessments will evaluate key public institutions and non-state actors in a beneficiary’s governance system concerning their independence and resources, performance, interactions with relevant actors in the system and accountability. NIS assessments will enable decision-makers to target reforms to needs and to support civil society action.

The project will further monitor progress by the number and description of joint actions and initiatives with civil society actors and groups that demand political integrity and improve the anti-corruption framework, such as laws, policies and their implementation acompanied with campaigns aimed to increase citizens’ engagement on public integrity.

Regional project page on the Transparency International website.