Fighting and preventing corruption by installing stronger financial control mechanisms

Project description

Title: Strengthening External Financial Control for the Effective Prevention and Fight Against Corruption
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Partner: Tribunal de Contas da União (TCU)/ Latin American and Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (OLACEFS)
Overall term: 2021 to 2024

Context

Corruption is a major challenge. It weakens institutions, democracy and justice, hinders economic growth and social development, and endangers the environment. It leads to a loss of confidence in State institutions and hinders the provision of public goods and services. It even affects dignity and human rights, aggravating the conditions of people in vulnerable situations, especially women.

Corruption affects all countries in the world. In the Latin American and Caribbean region, the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the risk of corruption.

Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) can contribute to increasing transparency in public administration. They make risks visible and promote the strengthening of robust and effective internal controls to prevent corruption.

Objective

The Latin American and Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (OLACEFS) has achieved more active participation of SAIs in national anti-corruption systems.

Approach

The project operates in three fields of activity:

• Improving the service provision of the Latin American and Caribbean Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (OLACEFS) to promote the active participation of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) in national anti-corruption systems. By using such services, the region's SAIs can improve their ability to prevent and combat corruption.
• Achieving increased participation of non-state actors to expand the scope of SAI audits. Civil society can help identify areas exposed to corruption and provide important guidance for audits. Sharing learning within the framework of OLACEFS with the participation of non-state actors improves the service provision and capitalises on regional good practices.
• Intensifying the exchange of information and technical cooperation between SAIs and other government actors. Improved information management and inter-institutional cooperation allows for a greater collaborative impact on preventing and combating corruption.

Last update: March 2022