This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from a U4 Partner Agency. The U4 Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International in collaboration with the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre based at the Chr. Michelsen Institute.
Query
Which strategies are employed by anti-corruption agencies in lower income countries to facilitate public engagement, and which good practices and lessons learned can be identified in promoting effective public participation in anti-corruption efforts?
Anti-corruption agencies worldwide adopt a variety of approaches to engage citizens in anti-corruption efforts. These primarily involve education and awareness campaigns but also include creative approaches such as monitoring activities in collaboration with civil society organisations, anonymous feedback mechanisms, integrity performances at schools and even online video games.
Contents
- Background
- Anti-corruption agencies and public engagement
- Barriers to public engagement
- Strategies of public engagement by anti-corruption agencies
- Prevention
- Education and awareness raising
- Investigation
- Prosecution
- Good practices in public engagement
- A phased approach
- Incentivising public engagement
- Potential unintended consequences of public engagement
- References
Authors
Caitlin Maslen
Reviewers
Anoukh de Soysa and Matthew Jenkins (TI)
Sofie Schütte (U4)
Date
15/07/2025
