EU network against corruption: Commission, EU countries, International organisations and civil society meet as new network gets started

On 20 September 2023, the first meeting of the EU network against corruption took place in Brussels. The EU network against corruption was established with the European Commission’s anti-corruption package, on 3 May 2023. This network brings together all stakeholders acting against corruption across the EU, from national authorities to experts and researchers, representatives of civil society and international organisations, as well as relevant EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. It aims to foster collaboration, identify trends and develop good practices to build more effective anti-corruption policies across the EU.

Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, opened the inaugural meeting highlighting the need to join forces and end corruption. This is the network’s primary objective. With the EU anti-corruption package, the Commission stepped up its action to support EU countries’ anti-corruption policies and legislation, to build a common culture of integrity and to challenge corruption.

“It takes a network to fight a network: criminals are getting more and more international, thus we need to work together in the EU and beyond our borders. All in one place, all in one network, we need to talk to exchange ideas, plans and projects to develop practices and gather data to map high-risk areas of corruption.”

In their opening remarks, Ms. Emily O’Reilly, European Ombudsman, and Ms. Ramona Strugariu, Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for the proposal for a Directive on combating corruption, underlined the importance of the EU network. They stressed that combating corruption is more important than ever for our democracies and it is central to increase citizens trust, particularly in a context of growing populism. Both speakers insisted on the importance of strong rules within EU institutions.

The EU network is meant as an umbrella forum for all stakeholders in the EU to exchange good practices, opportunities, ideas and plans for further work. The network is inclusive, bringing in also independent civil society organisations, based on the strong belief that sharing different perspectives leads to better results and a more effective anti-corruption policy. This will create synergies, avoid duplication and bring mutual benefit for all. The EU network against corruption will also meet in smaller groups of selected stakeholders, e.g. “national workshops,” following the publication of the Rule of Law report.

Panelists consisting of national representatives (DE, FI), existing networks (NIEWA) and civil society representatives (UNCAC coalition), welcomed the network and its added value, stressing the need to ensure synergies with existing initiatives. A subsequent panel with the International Olympic Committee, the French High Authority on Transparency in Public Life, Europol and Eurojust presented topics for the network to focus on in the future. These include the prevention of corruption, corruption in sports and cross-border corruption.

In the afternoon, participants discussed good practices and trends identified in the 2023 Rule of Law report, including on combating corruption in seaports, using technology for the prevention and repression of corruption, as well as education and awareness-raising. The panel was followed by breakout groups, pushing interactive dialogue even further. Finally, the Commission presented the most relevant funding opportunities for anti-corruption projects under Erasmus+, the Internal Security Fund (ISF) and the Technical Support Instrument (TSI).

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These fruitful discussions and contributions will support the Commission in developing practical guidance in various areas of common interest, particularly in mapping and identifying high-risk areas of corruption in the EU. The knowledge and best practices shared in the EU network will also be used to develop future steps, including a future EU strategy against corruption.