Civil Society

Robust and sustainable control of corruption is about much more than just good laws and institutions. In particular, where corruption is the norm rather than the exception, top-down reforms are insufficient to bring about lasting change. Rather inclusive, grassroots approaches are needed to develop the kind of normative constrains required to tackle corrupt practices and behaviour.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) play a key role in facilitating this process by generating and sustaining public demand for accountability. By working closely with citizens and affected communities and providing them with the necessary tools and opportunities, CSOs can help bridge the accountability gap between citizens and their governments.

CSOs also use the knowledge gathered from working with communities to inform national, regional and international level advocacy. This is often done through coalition-building and sustained pressure on the policy process from agenda-setting to monitoring of implementation and enforcement.

Transparency International is working around the world to do exactly that. Our chapters and partners work with those most affected by corruption in its various guises, from ensuring integrity in climate-related finance in Bangladesh and women’s land rights in Sub-Saharan Africa, to public transport commuters in Guatemala and robust citizen oversight of procurement processes in Europe. Through our involvement with large coalitions such as the Open Government Partnership and the Sustainable Development Agenda, we work to provide the right tools to CSOs to co-create, monitor and implement lasting anti-corruption interventions, while ensuring that their needs are captured and fed back in our advocacy at all levels.

For further information, see a recent Helpdesk answer Building on social movements to achieve systemic change.