THE USE OF THE POTENTIAL OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY IN COMBATING CORRUPTION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

The article deals with the latest trends in combating corruption in the European Union. We are talking about the systematic practice of concluding so-called Integrity Pacts aimed at establishing public control over the activities of the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund of the European Union. Integrity Pacts are an innovative tool that includes civil society monitoring of individual projects financed from the EU budget to protect EU funds from the risks of fraud and corruption, as well as to increase transparency and accountability. Analysis of the content of integrity pacts shows, that it is both a formalized and signed document, as well as a methodological approach to public contracts that obliges customers and bidders to adhere to best practices and maximum transparency. A third actor, usually a civil society organization, monitors the process and the commitments made by the parties. Provision is made for the appointment of a special observer or monitoring group with unlimited access to all meetings and materials, documents, as well as the publication of some or all documents and evaluation results. Public hearings and discussion of the tender offer are mandatory. In 2016, 18 such Pacts were signed in 11 EU member states (Portugal, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia). This pilot project included a wide range of measures, from flood protection and road construction to tram construction. Over the years of the practice of concluding Integrity Pacts, their effectiveness has been confirmed, and it is recognized that they contribute to the eradication of corruption and increase public trust in projects that use EU finances. For the most conscientious participants of the Integrity Pacts program, the Directorate General of the European Commission, which is responsible for the implementation of regional policy, introduced a special award for outstanding achievements in the field of “open good governance”. The practice of using Integrity Pacts in the EU will be continued, taking into account the adoption of a record EU budget for 2021–2027 in the amount of 1.8 trillion euro. Its institutionalization will be facilitated by methodological recommendations and handbooks (The Integrity Pact Toolbox) developed for the governments of EU member states on certain aspects of concluding and implementing Integrity Pacts, as well as the systematic training of EU government officials (Training on Integrity Pacts) in this area. It is concluded that a unique anti-corruption system was formed in the EU with the involvement of representatives of civil society. This experience can be useful for Ukraine, where the problem of fighting corruption is very urgent.