Corruption is a major obstacle to achieving the sustainable development goals, as well as an exacerbating factor of inequalities. Corruption patterns constitute barriers to establishing robust institutions, strengthening the rule of law, and establishing a governance that ensures sustainable development. It also undermines the legitimacy of States and institutions by weakening their ability to provide public services and generate trust among citizens towards public action.
In this context, the Anti-Corruption Fund comes within the framework of France’s Anti-Corruption Strategy in its cooperation action for the period 2021-2030. It aims to strengthen public institutions and finance projects implemented by civil society and independent media.
The activities implemented within the Anti-Corruption Fund include:
• The establishment of an expertise platform to quickly respond to requests from public entities of beneficiary countries engaged in the fight against corruption. Then, the expertise will be mobilize through the platform and will prioritize the areas of combating money laundering and financial crimes (Eastern Europe), supporting transparency in the interests and assets of public officials, elected and appointed (Eastern Europe) and organizational and technical strengthening of local anti-corruption institutions (West Africa).
• The funding of projects implemented by civil society and independent media In Eastern Europe, these projects will specifically aim to support coalitions of civil society organisations monitoring law enforcement and developing forum for dialogue on corruption and civil society associations in accessing information, and promote transparency in the interests and assets of public officials.
In West Africa, these projects will specifically aim to strengthen the capacities of independent media and support collaboration between non-state and state actors in the fight against corruption.
Special attention will be given on how corruption affects women and men differently, with the goal of reducing its specific impact on women.
