Improving the integrity system of the Brcko District

Overall Goal: Improved governance and transparency in District Brcko, brought about by civil society pushing for reforms.

The project consists of two phases: Corruption Perceptions Study and Integrity System Study for Brcko District.

Activities:

Corruption Perception Study Brcko District

• A preparatory phase
• A fieldwork phase
• An analytical phase
• A dissemination and promotion phase

The purpose of the Corruption Perception Study is to give an external assessment of the system – the way its final users, namely citizens perceive it. Specifically, perception of corruption represents a very important external criterion on the basis of which one can decide on the level of its presence and all its manifestations. Irrespective of what is being done or what manifestation is being observed, the final result will remain dubious and unclear if the feedback information from the field is not consulted.

Integrity System Study Brcko District

• Preparation phase
• Implementation phase
• Promotion and dissemination phase

An analysis of Institutional capacities and the legal anti-corruption framework. The Study follows the international methodology of TI  and provides a starting point for signalling areas requiring priority action. They also form the basis from which stakeholders may assess existing anti-corruption initiatives. Integrity studies help explain, for example, which pillars have been more successful and why, whether they are mutually supportive and what factors support or inhibit their effectiveness. Integrity studies also assess where the emphasis should be placed on improving the system and what factors are required to support the overall development of the integrity system.

During the duration of the project, TI BiH will work to carry out the following intermediate objectives:

• Identification of corruption problems;
• Identification of causes of corruption;
• Identification of the extent of corruption and its consequences for the society;
• Identification of citizens’ individual experiences with regards to corruption;
• Assessment of anti-corruption methods and their efficacy;
• Diagnosis of the level and trends of corruption and anti-corruption combat of particular social pillars, after, which would help locating the problem for any future anti-corruption strategies;
• Evaluation of institutions’ integrity;
• Performance indicators for institutions upon which the citizens can decide which political option should be entrusted with the leadership mandate;
• Dissemination of information to the citizens who currently have no access to information on consequences of corruption and non-transparent work of the government
• Raising public awareness on harmfulness of corruption, education of citizens on the methods of fighting corruption and creating a climate where the corruption will not be tolerated;
• Encouraging a public debate on anti-corruption issues;
• Strengthening the rule of law, most particularly in the area of anti-corruption legislation, such as public finance management, transparent budgets, prohibition of conflict of interest, depolarization of administration, more transparent public procurement, better quality of public service etc.;