BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative - ECPv6.15.12.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://rai-see.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Asia/Qatar BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0300 TZOFFSETTO:+0300 TZNAME:+03 DTSTART:20240101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20220101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/Skopje BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20220327T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20221030T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20230326T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20231029T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/Moscow BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0300 TZOFFSETTO:+0300 TZNAME:MSK DTSTART:20220101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Qatar:20251217T160000 DTEND;TZID=Asia/Qatar:20251217T170000 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20251209T105005Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251211T095744Z UID:38571-1765987200-1765990800@rai-see.org SUMMARY:CoSP 11 Special Event: Inclusive Anti-Corruption Strategies for Lasting Impact in SEE DESCRIPTION:EVENT AGENDA\nEVENT LEAFLET\n\n\n\nThe Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI)\, in cooperation with the Government of North Macedonia\, is proud to announce a dedicated special-event at the upcoming Conference of the States Parties — CoSP11. The event\, titled “Inclusive Anti-Corruption Strategies for Lasting Impact in SEE”\, will bring together government officials\, civil society\, regional anti-corruption institutions and international partners to highlight best practices and push for sustainable\, evidence-based reforms across South-Eastern Europe. \n🗓 Date: 17 December 2025⏰ Time: 16:00 (Doha Time)📍 Room: Special Event Room 1💬 Language: English (no interpretation)👥 Format: In-person \n\nWhy this event matters\nAs the main global anti-corruption gathering under UNCAC (the United Nations Convention against Corruption)\, CoSP brings together States Parties\, non-governmental organisations\, civil society groups\, and international institutions to review progress\, share challenges\, and set the agenda for future action. \nThis special session co-organized by RAI and North Macedonia (with support from Albania\, Bulgaria\, Montenegro\, UNODC’s Civil Society Unit\, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC)\, and Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD)) aims to shine a spotlight on the progress and challenges faced by Southeast Europe in moving from political commitment to real\, impactful reform. By sharing regionally relevant experiences and evidence-based approaches\, the event seeks to reinforce regional collaboration and support effective implementation of anti-corruption strategies. \n\nFeatured Speakers & Moderators\nSpeakers for the event include a diverse mix of regional leaders\, anti-corruption experts\, and civil society actors — ensuring a comprehensive perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead: \nArben Fetai — Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Good Governance\, North Macedonia \nFotjona Tace — Director of Cabinet of Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption\, Albania \nDušan Drakić — Acting Director\, Agency for Prevention of Corruption\, Montenegro \nUglješa Zvekić — Ambassador\, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) \nDaniela Mineva — Senior Analyst\, Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD)\, Bulgaria \nSnezhana Kamilovska — NGO representative and member of UNCAC Coalition \nIn addition\, the event will be moderated by Albert Hani\, the Director of RAI and Mirella Dummar Frahi\, Chief\, UNODC Civil Society Unit. \nThis careful mix of senior government\, regional anti-corruption agency heads\, civil society\, and international experts is designed to foster a balanced\, inclusive discussion — reflecting the variety of stakeholders needed for effective anti-corruption reform. \nBy situating Southeast Europe’s experiences within the global framework of CoSP\, the event aims to strengthen visibility of regional efforts and encourage more coordinated\, impactful anti-corruption action going forward. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/cosp-11-special-event-inclusive-anti-corruption-strategies-for-lasting-impact-in-see/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251120 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251121 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20251104T150747Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T150747Z UID:38316-1763596800-1763683199@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Training on CPL in the Police Sector DESCRIPTION:Target groups: \n\nRepresentatives from the Ministry of Interior and the Police; anti-corruption body; Ombudsperson; other independent oversight bodies; Ministry of Justice\, and the services of parliamentary committees responsible for security and defense and anti-corruption.\nRepresentatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) engaged in institutional oversight\, human rights\, and the fight against corruption. \n\nThe Overall Goal of the Training: \nThe overall goal of the training is to introduce participants to the content and purpose of the CPL Guidance with Checklists in the Police/Ministry of Interior Sector\, and to empower them to identify and assess regulatory corruption risk factors in legislation using the CPL Methodology and Checklists\, thereby contributing to the adoption of appropriate legislation.  URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/training-on-cpl-in-the-police-sector/ LOCATION:Sarajevo\, Bosnia and Herzegovina END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251119 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251120 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20251104T150330Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T150330Z UID:38313-1763510400-1763596799@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Training on CRA in the Police Sector DESCRIPTION:Target groups: \n\nRepresentatives from the Ministry of Interior and the Police (preferably employees from internal control units\, internal (financial) audit units\, designated persons for integrity plans/integrity managers\, and members of disciplinary and ethics commissions); anti-corruption body; Ombudsperson; other independent oversight bodies; Ministry of Justice\, and the services of parliamentary committees responsible for security and defense and anti-corruption.\nRepresentatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) engaged in institutional oversight\, human rights\, and the fight against corruption.\n\nThe Overall Goal of the Training: \nTo introduce participants to the content and purpose of the CRA Guidance with Checklists in the Police/MoI Sector and to build their capacity to apply the Checklists in their work when analysing areas and processes particularly vulnerable to corruption\, and in identifying measures for improvement. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/training-on-cra-in-the-police-sector/ LOCATION:Sarajevo\, Bosnia and Herzegovina END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251118 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251119 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20251104T140525Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T140525Z UID:38308-1763424000-1763510399@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Training on CPL in the Nature/Biodiversity Protection Sector DESCRIPTION:Target groups: \n\nRepresentatives of the ministry responsible for environmental protection; specialised Government agencies responsible for environmental issues; the anti-corruption body; other independent oversight bodies; Ministry of Justice\, the services of parliamentary committees in charge of environmental protection and anti-corruption; public enterprises\, and other state entities responsible for nature protection and management of protected areas.\nRepresentatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) involved in environmental protection and anti-corruption efforts.\n\nThe Overall Goal of the Training: \nThe overall goal of the training is to introduce participants to the content and purpose of the CPL Guidance with Checklists in the Nature/Biodiversity Protection Sector\, and to empower them to identify and assess regulatory corruption risk factors in legislation using the CPL Methodology and Checklists\, thereby contributing to the adoption of appropriate legislation.  URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/training-on-cpl-in-the-nature-biodiversity-protection-sector/ LOCATION:Sarajevo\, Bosnia and Herzegovina END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251117 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251118 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20251104T134850Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T134918Z UID:38297-1763337600-1763423999@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Training on CRA in the Nature/Biodiversity Protection Sector DESCRIPTION:Target groups: \n\nRepresentatives from the Ministry responsible for environmental protection; the Ministry of Justice; the anti-corruption body; other independent oversight institutions; services of parliamentary committees in charge of environmental protection and anti-corruption; public enterprises\, and other state entities responsible for nature protection and management of protected areas.\nRepresentatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) involved in environmental protection and anti-corruption efforts.\n\nThe Overall Goal of the Training: \nTo introduce participants to the content and purpose of the CRA Guidance with Checklists in the Nature/Biodiversity Protection Sector and to build their capacity to apply the Checklists in their work when analysing areas and processes particularly vulnerable to corruption\, and in identifying measures for improvement. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/training-on-cra-in-the-nature-biodiversity-protection-sector/ LOCATION:Sarajevo\, Bosnia and Herzegovina CATEGORIES:Training on CRA in the Nature/Biodiversity Protection Sector in BiH END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251031 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251101 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20251017T130337Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251017T130337Z UID:38230-1761868800-1761955199@rai-see.org SUMMARY:National event: Albania’s multi-stakeholder approach to corruption prevention DESCRIPTION: URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/national-event-albanias-multi-stakeholder-approach-to-corruption-prevention/ LOCATION:Tirana\, Albania END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251024 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251025 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20251017T130809Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251017T130809Z UID:38232-1761264000-1761350399@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Whistleblower Protection in Southeast Europe: As Good as It Gets? Launch of the Regional Report DESCRIPTION: URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/whistleblower-protection-in-southeast-europe-as-good-as-it-gets-launch-of-the-regional-report/ LOCATION:Sarajevo\, Bosnia and Herzegovina END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250702 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250705 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20250530T090003Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T131550Z UID:37789-1751414400-1751673599@rai-see.org SUMMARY:20th Edition of RAI Summer School - Introduction to UNCAC and UNTOC Review Mechanisms DESCRIPTION:The 20th Edition of the Summer School aims to equip junior representatives of respective ministries\, prosecutors and anti-corruption authorities from Southeast Europe (SEE) with the necessary knowledge and expertise in anti-corruption and organized crime topics. The main objectives of the 20th edition of Summer School is to provide the junior practitioners with an overview of the UNCAC and UNTOC Conventions\, taking into account different obligations and activities that countries have in the implementation\, including a review mechanism for both Conventions. This edition will also provide the participants with essential insights into content of the Conventions\, enabling them to familiarize with the responsibility of each country in prescribing criminal offences\, which preventive and repressive measures are at authorities disposal\, about MLA and JITs\, proactive investigations\, controlled delivery\, also providing insight how countries prepare for the implementation review mechanism\, how they establish coordination on the national level\, and prepare the meetings with evaluation countries. The program is envisioned to be delivered in an engaging and interactive format\, where participants will delve into the various domains\, gaining practical skills for self-improvement and interpersonal relations. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/20th-edition-of-rai-summer-school-introduction-to-uncac-and-untoc-review-mechanisms/ LOCATION:Podgorica\, Montenegro END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250701 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250702 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20250530T131356Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250617T141751Z UID:37791-1751328000-1751414399@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Multi-stakeholder Consultation on the Implementation of the National Strategy for Fight Against Corruption DESCRIPTION:The Government of Montenegro adopted the Strategy for the Fight against Corruption for 2024–2028 on 4 June 2025. This strategic document sets out Montenegro’s national priorities in combating corruption and aligns with the principles and obligations of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Its implementation requires strong coordination across government institutions and active engagement with non-state actors including civil society\, the private sector\, the media\, and academia. A multi-stakeholder\, participatory approach is essential to ensuring relevance\, transparency\, and accountability. \nIn this context\,  the national multi-stakeholder consultation will be organized in support of the new Strategy’s implementation. The consultation will serve as a platform to: \n\nFacilitate dialogue among government entities\, civil society organizations\, the private sector\, and international partners;\nReview the current status of anti-corruption measures and institutional commitments under the new Strategy;\nIdentify implementation challenges and emerging priorities;\nGather recommendations for effective monitoring and coordination mechanisms.\n\nThe consultation will place particular emphasis on the inclusion of non-state actors to foster public ownership and enhance oversight and transparency. \nThe event will be organized in partnership with the Deputy Prime Minister for Political System\, Judiciary\, and Anti-Corruption and the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and held under the framework of the “Southeast Europe-Together Against Corruption II (SEE-TAC II)” Regional Programme. The Programme is implemented by RAI in in collaboration with UNODC and funded by the Austrian Development Agency. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/multi-stakeholder-consultation-on-the-implementation-of-the-national-strategy-for-fight-against-corruption/ LOCATION:Podgorica\, Montenegro END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250408 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250411 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20250404T091752Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250407T073018Z UID:37581-1744070400-1744329599@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Multi-stakeholder Workshop on Implementing the UNCAC in Southeast Europe DESCRIPTION:This workshop aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)\, its Implementation Review Mechanism\, and the broader links between corruption and organized crime\, including the relevance of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). It will provide a platform for constructive dialogue among civil society\, the private sector\, and government representatives\, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing on challenges\, needs\, and successes in crime prevention across the region. \nThis event is organized under auspices of the Regional Programme Southeast Europe-Together against Corruption (SEE-TAC II)\, implemented in partnership with the UNODC and with the financial support of the Austrian Development Cooperation. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/multi-stakeholder-workshop-on-implementing-the-uncac-in-southeast-europe/ LOCATION:Vrdnik\, Serbia ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Project-photo.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250401 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250402 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20250217T093907Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250416T081001Z UID:37317-1743465600-1743551999@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Sarajevo: Regional Policy Dialogue on Good Governance and Women Leadership in SEE DESCRIPTION:The Regional Policy Dialogue on Good Governance and Women’s Leadership in Southeast Europe successfully gathered over 70 high-level participants from across the region and the EU in Sarajevo today. The event was organized by the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) in partnership with the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) and Women on Boards Adria (WOBA) and co-funded by the Central European Initiative (CEI)\, the America for Bulgaria Foundation\, and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). \nThis high-level forum provided a platform for meaningful discussions on the intersection of gender equality\, good governance\, and institutional resilience. Distinguished leaders\, policymakers\, and experts exchanged insights on how to advance gender-responsive governance and strengthen institutional integrity across Southeast Europe. \nMs. Desislava Gotskova\, in her opening address\, emphasized that this event is about changing the narrative — together. “It is not just a conference but a dialogue\, intentionally designed to foster collective strategy rather than isolated statements and to build sustained momentum for systemic change rather than merely showcasing success stories.” \nMr. Amer Kapetanović\, Secretary General of RCC\, underlined that empowering women is not just about fairness – it’s a strategic investment that benefits entire societies. “It drives economic growth\, strengthens governance\, and builds more resilient communities. Through regional cooperation\, we can create more opportunities for women to lead\, innovate\, and shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for our region.” \nIn his welcoming message\, Mr. Franco Dal Mas\, Secretary General of CEI highlighted that regional sustainable development requires gender equality through women empowerment and meaningful participation at all levels of society and the policy-making process. \nMarija Pejčinović Burić\, former Secretary General of the Council of Europe and former Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia\, set the tone of the event by emphasizing the critical role of women in shaping democratic and transparent institutions. \nThe engaging and interactive discussions that followed focused on the commitments needed for sustained progress in gender-responsive governance\, policy reforms\, and strategies for increasing the representation of women in leadership positions. \nBeyond formal discussions\, the event fostered meaningful networking opportunities. The social gathering following the sessions provided an informal setting for participants to continue the dialogue\, experience local hospitality\, and build new partnerships. \nThe Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina\, Elmedin Konaković\, welcomed the participants to the social networking event\, emphasizing the importance of fostering strong regional connections and partnerships in an informal setting. \nThis dialogue reaffirmed that gender-responsive governance is not just a policy goal but a fundamental principle for achieving sustainable development and institutional resilience in the region. The discussions and commitments made here will serve as a foundation for continued collaboration and concrete action toward inclusive leadership and good governance. \n  URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/regional-policy-dialogue-on-good-governance-and-women-leadership-in-see/ LOCATION:Sarajevo\, Bosnia and Herzegovina ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Photo-01.04.2025.-10-32-06.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250227 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250228 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20250206T093115Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250207T095420Z UID:37009-1740614400-1740700799@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on the Implementation of the Strategy for Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interest (2021-2025) and the Roadmap for Developing New Anti-Corruption Strategy DESCRIPTION:The significant loss of assets due to corruption severely undermines the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals threatens global economies\, weakens democracies\, and erodes the rule of law. A collaborative\, multisectoral approach\, as outlined by the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)\, is essential for driving meaningful change and achieving lasting results over time. \nThe key to UNCAC implementation is the development and enforcement of national anti-corruption policies. North Macedonia is set to begin developing a new anti-corruption National Strategy in 2025. The previous strategy\, formally known as the National Strategy for Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interests\, with the Action Plan for its implementation\, selected priority issues and identified measures to overcome them for the period 2021 to 2025. This strategy was adopted by the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia and provided specific commitments to be carried out by relevant institutions\, alongside guidelines and themes pertinent to the fight against corruption. \nTo that end\, a comprehensive and transparent consultation process was conducted\, involving representatives from the public and private sectors\, the media\, NGOs\, experts\, and relevant international organizations. This inclusive approach should continue to guide the development of the new strategy. \nBuilding on this\, UNODC aims to convene the first national multi-stakeholder consultation to support the development of the new strategy and assess the implementation level of the current strategy\, along with the identified challenges and success stories. The consultation will bring together anti-corruption experts from governmental institutions\, NGOs\, academia\, and the private sector\, with a particular focus on gathering input from non-state actors. \n \nThe event will be organized in partnership with the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption of North Macedonia and held under the framework of the Southeast Europe – Together Against Corruption II (SEE-TAC II) Regional Programme. This Programme is implemented in collaboration with the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat and funded by the Austrian Development Agency. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/multi-stakeholder-consultation-on-implementation-of-the-strategy-for-prevention-of-corruption-and-conflict-of-interest-2021-2025-and-roadmap-for-developing-new-anti-corruption-strategy/ LOCATION:Skopje\, North Macedonia\, Skopje\, North Macedonia ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/skopje-event-see-tac-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250226 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250227 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20250127T153406Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250213T133401Z UID:36537-1740528000-1740614399@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Western Balkans Next Gen: Leading the Fight Against Corruption DESCRIPTION: URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/western-balkans-next-gen-leading-the-fight-against-corruption/ LOCATION:Skopje\, North Macedonia\, Skopje\, North Macedonia ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Western-Balkans-Next-Gen.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241205 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241207 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20241025T114132Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250129T095431Z UID:34708-1733356800-1733529599@rai-see.org SUMMARY:44th RAI Steering Group Meeting DESCRIPTION:Representatives of Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative member countries gathered in Tirana for the 44th RAI Steering Group Meeting\, hosted by the Ministry of Public Administration and Anti-Corruption of Albania as part of the Week of Integrity. This important event brought together representatives of anti-corruption bodies\, ministries\, and agencies from across the SEE region to review the progress and implementation of ongoing projects\, evaluate the Work Plan 2023-2025\, and align RAI’s strategic objectives. \nIn the opening remarks\, Ms. Adea Pirdeni\, Minister of Public Administration and Anti-Corruption expressed support for the work of RAI and praised the organization for bringing the region together to discuss the challenges and look for solutions together. \nRAI Chairperson\, Mr. Dražen Jelenić\, expressed in his opening remarks optimism for fruitful and important discussions with a focus on strengthening regional cooperation through enhanced anti-corruption mechanisms and planning activities for the upcoming year. Mr. Jelenić also underlined that the anti-corruption efforts and initiatives taken by Albania can serve as an inspiration to the entire region. \nAdditional Information: \nSummary and Decisions URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/44th-steering-group-meeting/ LOCATION:Tirana\, Albania CATEGORIES:Training on CRA in the Nature/Biodiversity Protection Sector in BiH ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/469484844_1020730340094118_2383485804013569542_n.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241204 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241205 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20241129T084244Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241129T085331Z UID:36134-1733270400-1733356799@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Presentation of the new developments and planned activities in SEE-TAC II DESCRIPTION:Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat\, in collaboration with HIDAACI Albania\, will be organizing a meeting to discuss recent developments in the International Treaty on Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations and the new SEE-TAC II project\, funded by ADA. This meeting will take place on December 4th\, 2024\, at the HIDAACI premises in Tirana. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/presentation-of-the-new-developments-and-planned-activities-in-see-tac-ii/ LOCATION:Tirana\, Albania END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240930 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241002 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20240815T124543Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241025T114227Z UID:34222-1727654400-1727827199@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Regional Conference: Private Sector Integrity in the Western Balkans DESCRIPTION:(Jahorina\, October 1st) – The first event within the Southeast Europe – Together Against Corruption II (SEE-TAC II) programme\, a regional conference on “Private Sector Integrity in the Western Balkans” took place from September 30 to October 1 on Jahorina\, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conference gathered over 50 participants from relevant national anti-corruption agencies and bodies\, ministries\, civil society\, and the private sector in the Western Balkans. \nThe event was opened by H.E. Mr. Georg Diwald\, the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Bosnia and Herzegovina\, Mr. Drazen Jelenic (Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative Chairperson)\, Mr. Constantine Palicarsky (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Adviser)\, and Ms. Damirka Mioc from the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and Coordination of the Fight against Corruption of BiH. \nH.E. Mr. Diwald stressed the importance of the regional conference and presented the work of the Austrian Embassy in BiH and its dedication to anti-corruption mechanisms while highlighting the role of the Austrian Development Agency\, the SEE-TAC II donor\, and the issues the private sector faces. \nMr. Palicarsky referred to UNCAC and private sector links while Mr. Jelenic emphasised that integrity within the private sector significantly contributes to long-term profitability and the need to empower the private sector to address pressing societal challenges. He highlighted the SEE-TAC II program\, which is dedicated to combating corruption in the Western Balkans and aims to enhance the capacities of governments\, civil society organizations\, and the private sector. Ms. Mioc talked about the challenges in the public sector and various initiatives the governments in the region can take to ensure proper anti-corruption measures\, as well as the recently adopted Anti-Corruption Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. \nThe sessions focused on anti-corruption strategies in the region\, the private sector integrity\, implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) with regard to the private sector\, the basics of business integrity\, ISO standards related to business integrity\, and how to lead in a way that leads to positive change. Expert discussions were led by Sandra Damijan\, Lecturer at the School of Economics and Business at the University of Ljubljana\, Slovenia. The two-day event concluded with a group discussion on cross-cutting themes related to building integrity. \nThe SEE-TAC II project is implemented by RAI in partnership with UNODC and funded by the Austrian Development Agency. \nAgenda URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/regional-conference-private-sector-integrity-in-the-western-balkans/ LOCATION:Hotel Vucko\, Jahorina\, Bosnia and Herzegovina ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/44686967.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240625 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240626 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20240614T073515Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240628T110656Z UID:34099-1719273600-1719359999@rai-see.org SUMMARY:EU Network against Corruption - Workshop on Asset Declaration Systems DESCRIPTION:RAI Secretariat took part in the first thematic workshop of the EU Network Against Corruption\, focused on asset declaration systems\, organized by the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) on June 25th in Brussels. Anti-corruption experts from EU countries gathered with civil society\, international organisations\, and academics to share good practices and guidance in the field. \nThe obligation of public officials to declare their assets and interests helps to detect illicit enrichment and prevent conflicts of interests. This makes it an important tool to prevent corruption. Almost all EU countries have in place a system that sets out what needs to be declared by whom\, and how this data is published and verified. \nOne of the main topics discussed were the different systems of asset declaration. The Commission presented findings from its data collection exercise carried out under the 2024 Justice Scoreboard. These were complemented by civil society reports on the functioning and effectiveness of the European Parliament’s asset declaration system. Participants also focused on the challenges presented by the verification of assets\, in particular those held abroad. \nMs. Desislava Gotskova\, Head of the RAI Secretariat\, participated as a speaker in a panel discussing the challenges in monitoring and verifying asset declarations\, particularly those held abroad. During the panel\, Ms. Gotskova showcased RAI’s extensive work in the field of asset declarations\, with a special emphasis on the International Treaty on Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations. This Treaty\, drafted and negotiated under auspices of RAI\, aims to enhance transparency and accountability in asset declaration processes. \nThe primary objective of the workshop was to provide an opportunity for sharing experiences across the EU and to exchange practical guidance in the field of asset declaration systems. It was collectively agreed that while asset declaration systems can vary\, international standards are crucial in designing effective systems. These standards ensure a comprehensive scope\, specifying which officials are covered and what assets are to be declared\, leading to well-functioning asset declaration systems. \nFor more information on RAI’s work in this field\, please visit the LINK. \nMore information about the event available HERE. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/eu-network-against-corruption-workshop-on-asset-declaration-systems/ LOCATION:Brussels\, Belgium ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/EU-Network-Against-Corruption.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240625 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240628 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20240614T073229Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240628T110319Z UID:34095-1719273600-1719532799@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Conference - Fast Tracking Implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption - Regional Platform for the Western Balkans DESCRIPTION:The RAI Secretariat participated in the “Fast Tracking the Implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption – Regional Platform for the Western Balkans” conference this week in Tirana\, Albania. Hosted by the Ministry of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption of Albania and organized by the UNODC\, this significant event brought together representatives from all Western Balkan jurisdictions\, facilitating a collaborative approach to these important issues. \nInitially endorsed by high-level government representatives from the Western Balkans in Ohrid\, North Macedonia in 2021\, the Western Balkans Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance (ACIF) Roadmap aims to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) across the region. \nThe aim of the Regional Platform and the Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Roadmap will remain to deliver tangible improvements to the implementation of existing national anti-corruption and anti-illicit finance measures. Additionally\, it supports the implementation of international standards and recommendations\, including those from the European Commission’s annual reports concerning EU accession benchmarks\, as well as GRECO. During the conference\, participants defined the goals and activities of the new Regional Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Roadmap and discussed the priorities and requirements for future technical assistance to advance its practical implementation. \nRAI has been an implementing partner during the development and implementation of the ACIF Roadmap\, led by UNODC. In her closing remarks\, the Head of RAI Secretariat\, Ms. Desislava Gotskova\, LLM\, underlined that RAI remains committed to partnering and supporting this initiative. \nMore information about ACIF Roadmap and related RAI activities available HERE. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/conference-fast-tracking-implementation-of-the-united-nations-convention-against-corruption-regional-platform-for-the-western-balkans/ LOCATION:Tirana\, Albania ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Roadmap-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240618T080000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240621T170000 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20240531T083650Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240716T132410Z UID:34067-1718697600-1718989200@rai-see.org SUMMARY:International Anti-Corruption Conference DESCRIPTION:Vilnius\, Lithuania: On June 20\, 2024\, a workshop titled “Addressing Strategic Corruption and Illicit Finance: Safeguarding Democracies and Economic Stability” took place as part of the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) Programme. \nModerated by the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative Secretariat and coordinated by the Center for the Study of Democracy\, this gathering convened a distinguished panel of experts and stakeholders deeply committed to tackling corruption as a threat undermining democratic governance. The panelists shared their views on investment screening\, tracking illicit wealth and assets of sanctioned individuals\, use of big data for risk assessments\, and corruption-proofing of legislation. \nUnder the moderation of Ms. Desislava Gotskova\, Head of RAI Secretariat\, the workshop featured prominent figures such as Christian Beck from MEP Daniel Freund’s office\, Dr. Oksana Huss from OECD and BIT-ACT\, Prof. Dr. Elizabeth David-Barrett from the University of Sussex\, Dr. David Jackson from U4 Anti-corruption Resource Centre\, Daniela Mineva from the Center for the Study of Democracy\, Dr. Nedim Hogic from the University of Oslo\, and Dr. Ramadan Ilazi from the Kosovo Centre for Security Studies. Together\, they explored innovative approaches to: \n\nBroadening corruption risk assessments beyond monetary losses to include damage to public institutions’ capacity and public interest.\nDeveloping robust tools and strategies to counter state capture and illicit financial flows.\nStrengthening regional cooperation to mitigate foreign influence and enhance governance transparency.\nAdvocating for political solutions alongside technical measures to combat strategic corruption effectively.\n\nThe workshop emphasized the urgent need for coordinated action among governments\, civil society\, and international organizations to fortify democratic resilience and economic security against corruption’s insidious impacts. \nAs discussions concluded\, participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing practical solutions and fostering a network of reform-minded entities dedicated to achieving measurable progress in the fight against corruption. \n\n \n \n\n  URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/34067/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AICC_2023_banner_4.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240610 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240615 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20240417T133114Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240619T130948Z UID:33922-1717977600-1718409599@rai-see.org SUMMARY:19th RAI Summer School for Junior Anti-corruption Practitioners From SEE DESCRIPTION:The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat successfully organized the 19th Edition of the Summer School for Junior Anti-Corruption Practitioners from Southeast Europe (SEE) in Bucharest\, Romania\, from June 11-14\, 2024. This year’s edition\, titled “Unveiling Corruption: Introduction to Asset Recovery and Financial Investigation Techniques\,” aimed to equip junior prosecutors\, anti-corruption practitioners\, and financial investigators from law enforcement agencies across SEE with the essential knowledge and expertise in asset recovery. This year’s program hosted 20 participants from Albania\, Bosnia and Herzegovina\, Bulgaria\, Croatia\, Moldova\, Montenegro\, North Macedonia\, Romania\, Serbia\, and Ukraine\, reflecting a diverse and dynamic cohort. \nThe 19th Edition of the Summer School was hosted by the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC) and financially supported by the Central European Initiative (CEI) and America for Bulgaria Foundation. \nSpeaking at the opening\, Ms. Desislava Gotskova\, Head of RAI Secretariat\, emphasized that the Summer School aims to enhance and strengthen the capacities of anti-corruption bodies in the region and to provide a platform for young practitioners to learn\, share knowledge and experience\, and network with colleagues from the region. Ms. Gotskova expressed gratitude to the Central European Initiative (CEI) for co-funding the RAI Summer School for the third consecutive year as well as to the Sotheat European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC) for providing RAI with the opportunity to use the SELEC excellent training center. \nWishing everyone a fruitful week of training and professional success when back to their countries\, Mr. Ugo Poli\, CEI Focal Point Anti-Corruption\, noted that CEI Plan of Action always addressed great attention to strengthening the institutional capacity and effective tools to fight corruption in the CEI Member States as a key element to pursue the goal of good governance and to match the milestones of the accession to the European Union. \nFinally\, Mr. Oguz Serkant Akin\, SELEC Director General said that RAI Summer School is a good opportunity to provide the junior anticorruption practitioners from the SEE region with an overview of the current financial investigation and asset recovery landscape as well as to share the SELEC experience in this field. Furthermore\, this initiative aims to enhance and deepen the cooperation between RAI and SELEC\, contributing to the achievement of shared objectives. \nEsteemed experts from AML Consulting Global played a crucial role by providing participants with a comprehensive overview of the current financial investigation and asset recovery landscape. Their sessions covered international best practices in investigating and prosecuting corruption-related offenses\, current money laundering typologies\, and cutting-edge investigative techniques. \nIn addition to technical knowledge\, participants received essential insights into critical thinking and Emotional Intelligence (EI). These sessions aimed to improve their effectiveness in both personal and professional spheres\, equipping them with the foundational skills and mindset necessary to apply critical thinking in various scenarios. \nThe regional approach of the Summer School fostered valuable partnerships and networking opportunities among participants\, which will be beneficial throughout their careers. Delivered in an engaging and interactive format\, the program allowed participants to delve into various domains\, gaining practical skills for self-improvement and interpersonal relations. \nA significant portion of the school focused on practical application. Using AML Consulting Global Ltd’s View360Global immersive platform\, trainers simulated an anti-corruption investigation\, challenging participants to apply their skills and knowledge to make strategic and tactical decisions. These practical sessions encouraged strategic thinking\, dialogue\, and teamwork\, fostering a collaborative environment among participants from across the region. \nUpon completion of the program\, participants obtained the RAI Summer School Certificate of Attendance as well as the UK Skills for Justice (SFJ) Accreditation. SFJ-accredited training ensures that the recipients have undergone a program of learning that has been independently assessed and quality assured by the SFJ Panel\, applying stringent academic standards to the design and learning objectives. \nThe Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative Summer School continues to be an important event in fostering the next generation of anti-corruption leaders in Southeast Europe\, combining theoretical training with practical\, real-world applications to create a lasting impact on the fight against corruption. \n\nMore information \nSummer School Agenda \n  URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/19th-rai-summer-school-for-junior-anti-corruption-practitioners-from-see/ LOCATION:Bucharest\, Bucharest\, Romania ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Summer-School-2024.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240520 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240522 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20240425T141144Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240425T142014Z UID:33934-1716163200-1716335999@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Regional Workshop - Integrity and Control Measures in Defence and Law Enforcement Institutions DESCRIPTION:The objective of the Workshop is to increase capacity of ministries of defence and ministries of internal affairs in the field of integrity and corruption prevention\, by learning about best practices in application of control measures related to conflict of interest\, asset declarations and protection of classified data\, also reporting of relevant CSOs. The workshop aims at increasing awareness about innovative anti-corruption mechanisms and tools\, but also needed legal solutions and regulatory measures. It is anticipated that the participants will gain better understanding of the specific elements related to institutional integrity measures\, prevention and resolution of conflict of interest\, declaration of assets\, income\, liabilities and interests\, identification and mitigation of corruption risks related to protection of classified data. \nThe participants will: \n\nget the additional knowledge on the relevant international standards and useful tools;\nget the oversight of the main regional stakeholders and actors\, competent bodies and institutions;\nelaborate relevant case studies and address common challenges and problems;\nexchange of good practices and lessons learned;\ndevelop mutual contacts and network among participants from South East Europe;\noutline the most demanding common challenges in Southeast Europe and future actions in this field. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/regional-workshop-integrity-and-control-measures-in-defence-and-law-enforcement-institutions/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Untitled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240418 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240419 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20240402T102656Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240507T091322Z UID:33883-1713398400-1713484799@rai-see.org SUMMARY:43rd RAI Steering Group Meeting DESCRIPTION:The 43rd Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Steering Group Meeting took place online on April 18\, 2024. The primary objectives included discussions on strengthening RAI’s organizational structure\, ensuring financial sustainability\, and planning upcoming activities. The meeting\, organized by the RAI Secretariat\, was chaired by RAI Chairperson\, Mr. Dražen Jelenic. \nRepresentatives from all RAI member countries\, as well as observers and partners\, attended the meeting. \nAdditional information:\nAgenda\nSummary of Discussions and Conclusions URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/43rd-rai-steering-group-meeting/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/43-rai-sg-mEETING.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240321 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240323 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20240320T112219Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240425T141742Z UID:33802-1710979200-1711151999@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Annual Meeting of the Southeast Europe Coalition on Whistleblower Protection DESCRIPTION:The Annual Meeting of the Southeast Europe Coalition on Whistleblower Protection\, hosted by the Coalition member Civic Alliance Montenegro took place on March 21\, 2024 in Podgorica\, Montenegro. \nThe event brough together the coalition members from the Southeast Europe (SEE)\, representatives from state and public institutions in Montenegro\, and other key figures from civil society in the field of whistleblowing and anti-corruption. The meeting was opened by introductory remarks\, a motivational speech\, and the delivery of the Free Speech Awards of the Coalition. \nThe Coalition is actively advocating for the Transposition of the EU 2019/1937 Directive on Whistleblower Protection into national laws in the SEE by taking a supportive approach and highlighting the benefits of this process. \nDuring his opening address\, Mr. Riccardo Serri\, Deputy Head of the Delegation of European Union to Montenegro noted that the role of whistleblowers is more important than ever as they are key actors in the anti-corruption chain. Mr. Serri also highlighted that\, in addition to good national laws\, it is also crucial to create enabling environment for whistleblowers. \nMr. Nikola Naumovski\, RAI Senior anti-corruption Advisor said that RAI Secretariat has been supportive of the work of the Coalition since its establishment\, in recognition of the importance of collaboration between the government and the non-governmental sector in effectively protecting whistleblowers. \nRAI’s activities related to whistleblowing were intensified with the implementation of the regional EU funded ‘Breaking the Silence: Enhancing Whistleblowing Policies and Culture in the Western Balkans and Moldova’ Project aimed at promoting the whistleblowing protection and disclosure channels and increasing the public awareness\, especially among youth\, about the importance of whistleblowing and enhancing the corrective role of the CSO in all these processes. During the project implementation\, RAI\, among other things\, supported the annual meetings of the Coalition as a platform for discussion of common challenges\, strategies\, and solutions for improving the protection of whistleblowers\, and how to best utilize the SEE Coalition resources\, and conducted a Gap Analysis of Whistleblower Protection Laws in the Western Balkans and Moldova\, which examined whether and to what extent EU Directive standards are incorporated in whistleblower protection laws of the target jurisdictions. \nThe Southeast Europe Coalition for Whistleblower Protection\, established in 2015 with RAI support\, is the world’s first regional civil society initiative dedicated to enhancing whistleblower rights and protections\, and promoting whistleblowing as an effective anti-corruption tool. \nThe annual meetings of the Coalition are also an opportunity to celebrate success and capture lessons learned and serve the purpose of strengthening the SEE Coalition\, membership expansion and diversification. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/annual-meeting-of-the-southeast-europe-coalition-on-whistleblower-protection/ LOCATION:Podgorica\, Montenegro ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Coalition-Meeting.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240304 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240306 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20240228T125444Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T111952Z UID:33686-1709510400-1709683199@rai-see.org SUMMARY:International Conference “Strengthening Accountability: Empowering Efforts against Corruption in the Western Balkans” DESCRIPTION:Regional Anti-corruption Secretariat took part at the high-level international conference organized by The Ministry of Justice of Albania\, the Ministry of Public Administration and Anti-Corruption of Albania\, in collaboration with the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC)\, in Tirana\, Albania\, on March 4th and 5th\, 2024. This conference follows up on the success of a meeting held in Šibenik\, Croatia in May 2022\, and it’s the primary objective was to facilitate discussions among representatives from governmental institutions\, criminal justice bodies\, international and regional organizations\, academia\, and civil society. Participants gathered to address common challenges and explore avenues for enhancing accountability\, integrity\, and the fight against corruption. \n During the opening session\, Minister of Justice of Albania\, Ulsi Manja\, highlighted the significant challenge of combating corruption in the country focusing on the ongoing reforms within the judicial system and the tangible results visible to the Albanian public. \n Minister of State of Public Administration and Anti-Corruption of Albania\, Adea Pirdeni\, emphasized the government’s unwavering dedication to improving professionalism within the administration while simultaneously reducing opportunities for corruption and abuse. She stressed the government’s commitment to enhancing the integrity of administrative staff alongside their professional skills. \n Despite the numerous commitments to combat corruption in all its forms\, challenges persist in implementing these commitments effectively. The conference provided a platform for sharing experiences\, exchanging views\, and generating innovative ideas aimed at strategically preventing corruption and enforcing anti-corruption measures. The ultimate goal is to ensure transparent\, accountable\, and responsible management of public resources for the collective benefit of society. \n At the conference panel on “International/EU anti-corruption commitments: Achievements\, challenges\, and expectations\,” Ms. Desislava Gotskova\, Head of RAI Secretariat stressed the need to translate political will into concrete reforms\, emphasizing comprehensive approaches\, alliances with stakeholders\, and regional cooperation in combating corruption. She highlighted RAI’s 20-year commitment to facilitating regional anti-corruption efforts\, leveraging partnerships with international organizations\, and emphasizing collaboration with diverse sectors to root out corruption. \n During the panel “The role of women in strengthening integrity in public institutions\,”\, on the second day of Conference\, Ms. Desislava Gotskova\, Head of RAI Secretariat\, outlined challenges women face in upholding integrity\, including gender bias\, underrepresentation in leadership\, the glass ceiling\, societal expectations\, and work-life balance. She stressed the need to address gender-specific issues like sextortion and advocated for mentoring and networking opportunities. Additionally\, while RAI doesn’t monitor gender mainstreaming in anti-corruption strategies\, they promote it in all activities\, suggesting more active advocacy for gender-sensitive policies and greater female involvement in decision-making. \n The conference in Tirana served as a critical forum for advancing collective efforts to combat corruption and organized crime. Participants departed with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to translating discussions into concrete actions that promote transparency\, accountability\, and the rule of law. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/international-conference-strengthening-accountability-empowering-efforts-against-corruption-in-the-western-balkans/ LOCATION:Tirana\, Albania END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240220 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240221 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20240125T101422Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240311T112043Z UID:33471-1708387200-1708473599@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Regional Conference of the Southeast Europe Together Against Corruption: Developing Regional Resilience DESCRIPTION:The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI)\, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA)\, organized the Regional Conference titled “Southeast Europe Together Against Corruption: Developing Regional Resilience”. The conference took place in Sarajevo\, on February 20th\, 2024\, to mark the implementation of the 3-year Regional Programme “Southeast Europe – Together Against Corruption” (SEE-TAC). \nThis conference served as a momentous occasion to celebrate the collective achievements and efforts in combating corruption in Southeast Europe. It provides a platform for reflection on accomplishments\, sharing valuable insights\, and strategizing for future sustainable anti-corruption activities. Esteemed experts will leverage this opportunity to present their findings and offer insightful recommendations for the next steps in the evolution of the Programme. \nThe conference has gathered more than 60 participants\, including heads of diplomatic missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina from Bulgaria\, Greece\, Slovenia\, Romania\, government officials from the SEE region and Ukraine\, civil society representatives\, private sector and media representatives\, and other project stakeholders. \nAddressing the participants the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria in BiH\, H.E. Dr. Ulrike Hartmann underlined: “We are all aware that success doesn’t come overnight. Also\, aware that political will is often lacking to adopt and implement the necessary legislation. But only common and constant efforts will bring the desired results –a society with less corruption\, but also tangible progress in the EU integration\, which is our common goal”. \nReferring to new phase of this Programme\, Chief of the Civil Society Unit of UN Office on Drugs and Crime\, Ms. Mirella Dummar Frahi said: “Recognizing that corruption and organized crime go hand in hand\, the new Programme phase is aiming to break silos and start looking into the nexus between corruption and organized crime integrating a component on UNTOC in its implementation”. \nChairperson of Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative Mr. Dražen Jelenić reconfirmed “RAI commitment to continue contributing with its strong network of public stakeholders to the enhancing of the advocacy efforts and the communication channels for building the regional cooperation in boosting the anti-corruption efforts in the context of the EU- integration process”. \nRAI has become the primary regional anti-corruption hub in Southeast Europe over the past two decades. The RAI Secretariat has built a common regional platform for dialogue among governments and civil society\, efficiently addressing its activities through tailored-made actions\, peer-to-peer learning\, exchange of knowledge\, modern communication tools\, and sharing good practices in a multidisciplinary setting. \nMore information:\nConference Agenda URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/regional-conference-of-the-southeast-europe-together-against-corruption-building-up-regional-resilience-see-tac-programme/ LOCATION:Hotel Hills\, Sarajevo ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/michael-dale-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231220 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231221 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20231128T145612Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231225T120004Z UID:32571-1703030400-1703116799@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Regional Round Table “Bridging for Effective Asset Disclosure Systems" DESCRIPTION:Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat organized a momentous event in Skopje\, North Macedonia\, on December 20\, 2023. The Regional Roundtable\, named “Bridging for Effective Asset Disclosure Systems\,” united representatives from relevant institutions across Southeast Europe. Coordinated by the RAI Secretariat in collaboration with the State Commission for Preventing Corruption of North Macedonia\, the event aimed to bolster collaboration and address challenges associated with asset disclosure systems in the region. \nWelcoming participants to the Roundtable\, Ms. Desislava Gotskova\, the Head of RAI Secretariat\, underscored RAI’s role in facilitating the development\, negotiations\, and signing of the International Treaty on Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations. To streamline data exchange and the asset declaration verification process and to prepare for the effective implementation of the Treaty\, RAI Secretariat has initiated a Blueprint in which the existing gaps and challenges in the current asset declaration systems have been assessed. \nMs. Biljana Ivanovska\, President of the State Commission for Preventing Corruption of North Macedonia\, extended a warm welcome on behalf of her institution. She emphasized RAI’s proactive efforts in developing a regional mechanism for asset disclosure. This involved a thorough assessment of the legal and digital architecture in beneficiary jurisdictions to identify key obstacles. The aim was to collectively find solutions at the regional level\, to strengthen the exchange of information and mitigate challenges in the asset disclosure process. \nThe working session commenced with insightful presentations during the first session\, titled “Asset Disclosure: A Tool to Prevent Corruption\,” delivered by prominent RAI partners. Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Trento\, Mr. Andrea Di Nicola\, delivered presentation of the qAID Project “Towards contemporary knowledge and innovative tools for assessing and enhancing the effectiveness of asset and interest disclosure systems in EU member and candidate states\,” conducted in collaboration with RAI. In the second session\, RAI experts\, Ms. Irena Brzanova and Mr. Esmin Berhamovic provided an overview of outcomes and recommendations from the Blueprint. A significant focus was also placed on the exchange of views and expressing professional and practical opinions of participants\, during the third session\, with only one goal: to contribute to building an effective and efficient asset declaration system. \nThe event concluded with the official adoption of the Blueprint document\, marking a significant milestone in the fight against corruption in the region. In summary\, the “Bridging for Effective Asset Disclosure Systems” roundtable in Skopje signifies a substantial step forward in the regional effort to combat corruption. \nThis regional event was organized under auspices of the Regional Programme Southeast Europe-Together against Corruption (SEE-TAC) with the financial support of the Austrian Development Cooperation. \n  \nAGENDA URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/regional-round-table-bridging-for-effective-asset-disclosure-systems/ LOCATION:Skopje\, North Macedonia\, Skopje\, North Macedonia CATEGORIES:Training on CRA in the Nature/Biodiversity Protection Sector in BiH ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_5925-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231109 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231110 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20231013T093122Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231211T142529Z UID:32342-1699488000-1699574399@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Policy Forum: Anti-Corruption\, Democratic Resilience and Economic Security DESCRIPTION:The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative Secretariat represented by Ms. Desislava Gotskova\, Head of Secretariat and Mr. Nikola Naumovski\, Senior Anti-corruption Adviser\, participated in the International Policy Forum “Anti-corruption\, Democratic Resilience and Economic Security”\, organized by the Center for the Study of Democracy Bulgaria on 9 November 2023 in Sofia\, Bulgaria. \nThe Forum started with opening remarks of Mr. Ognian Shentov\, Chairman of the Center for the Study of Democracy\, and Mr. Siri Beate Barry\, Ambassador of Norway to Romania\, Bulgaria and Moldova\, who underlined the necessity for putting existing policy engagements into practice\, while the keynote speakers Mr. Nikolay Denkov\, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria and Ms. Laura Kövesi\, European Chief Prosecutor both acknowledged the challenges facing EU initiatives aimed at combating corruption and state capture. They highlighted that the solution should be sought not only in fair and effective justice but also through awareness and cultural change. \nMr. Denkov emphasized that the fight against corruption is not only a fight to save public money but a fight to preserve democracy. In his words\, the importance of the fight against corruption has acquired new and more global dimensions. \n“When it comes to corruption\, it was already hard enough to make citizens understand how it influences their lives. In reality\, corruption has been and continues to be tolerated to a large extent. Everywhere. There is no clean country\,” said Ms. Laura Kövesi. \nThe Forum comprised presentations and panel discussions covering the key principles and requirements over the agenda topics: Building Democratic Resilience through Anti-Corruption Policy and Action; Anti-Corruption Policy Implementation; New Instruments for Engagement and Impact; Countering Strategic Corruption and Advancing Economic Security in Europe and Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships against Corruption. \nThe panellists underlined that the lack of strong political leaders\, capacity and procedures are hampering the effort to stop illicit financial flows\, as well as the process of freezing and seizing assets belonging to actors sanctioned for corruption\, illegal enrichment\, money laundering\, and organized crime. They recommended the systematic and continuous use of corruption risk assessment tools to identify and prevent the most prevalent and damaging corruption and conflict of interest schemes at institutional\, sector and local levels. It is also necessary to harmonize the definitions of all corruption offenses\, increase sanctions on natural and legal persons\, develop e-Governance\, and provide better investigative tools. In conclusion\, the participants encouraged lawmakers and law enforcement to work jointly with the civil society\, academia\, business and media. \nMs. Desislava Gotskova\, Head of RAI Secretariat\, chaired a panel “Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships against Corruption” with prominent speakers: Boyko Todorov\, Senior Associate Fellow\, Center for the Study of Democracy\, Bulgaria\, Ferenc Bíró\, President\, Hungarian Integrity Authority\, Aleksandra Vojinović\, Secretary of the Council\, Agency for Prevention of Corruption\, Montenegro and Daniel Belingher\, Head of Service for Implementing Structural Funds\, Studies and Strategies\, National Integrity Agency\, Romania. \nRAI is continuing to support the efforts and anticorruption reforms in West Balkans countries\,  Moldova and Ukraine to speed up the EU accession process by providing and unique platform for knowledge and practice sharing between the countries in Southeast Europe. URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/policy-forum-anti-corruption-democratic-resilience-and-economic-security/ LOCATION:Sofia\, Bulgaria CATEGORIES:Training on CRA in the Nature/Biodiversity Protection Sector in BiH ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/VN_8125.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231024 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231026 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20231002T095841Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231115T211720Z UID:32201-1698105600-1698278399@rai-see.org SUMMARY:41st RAI Steering Group Meeting - Chisinau\, Moldova DESCRIPTION:Chisinau\, October 24-25\, 2023 – The 41st Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) Steering Group meeting was held in Chisinau\, Moldova\, on October 24 and 25. The meeting was hosted by the National Anticorruption Center of Moldova. \nIn her opening remarks\, Ms. Laura Stefan\, RAI Chairperson greeted all participants and thanked the National Anticorruption Center of Moldova for hosting the 41st RAI Steering Group Meeting. She referred to the International Treaty on Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations that was signed on October 23 by the Ministry of Justice of Moldova as an excellent tool and opportunity for RAI member countries to improve their capacities and efficiency as regard asset declarations which will enable better cooperation on national and regional level. \nIn his welcoming speech\, the deputy director of CNA\, Mr. Vadim Cojocaru\, mentioned the importance of the meeting from the perspective of RAI’s efforts in the fight against corruption and the support provided to anti-corruption institutions in strengthening the regulatory framework and tools to counter this phenomenon. \nMr. Cojocaru also noted that “the support offered by RAI is essential in various fields and especially in terms of regional cooperation in the segment of asset declaration\, anti-corruption legislative expertise\, corruption risk assessment\, the field of whistleblowing\, asset recovery and other particularly important aspects. In this context\, he highlighted the impact of the EU-funded Project “Breaking the Silence: Enhancing the Whistleblower Policies and Culture in the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova”\, which was the starting point for the revision of the national legislation on the protection of whistleblowers. Mr. Cojocaru pointed out that\, on June 22\, 2023\, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova adopted in its final reading the new Law on whistleblowers\, which transposes the EU Directive on the protection of persons who report violations of Union law”. \nFollowing the opening remarks and Agenda adoption\, the meeting participants proceeded with exchange of views with Mr. Lilian Chisca\, President of National Integrity Authority of Moldova. \nThe Steering Group Meeting Agenda included several issues related to the review of main  activities of the current year and the presentation of plans for 2024. During the first day\, the participants discussed the most important progress and achievements\, as well as the budget and and financial outlook for 2024. Day two was dedicated to new RAI Chairperson election procedure. \nThe 41st Steering Group meeting was attended by all member country representatives (Albania\, Bosnia and Herzegovina\, Bulgaria\, Croatia\, Moldova\, Montenegro\, North Macedonia\, Romania and Serbia)\, as well as the Ukraine in the capacity of observer. \nMore information: \nAgenda \nSummary of discussions and conclusions \nPhoto Gallery URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/41st-rai-steering-group-meeting-chisinau-moldova/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/cna0363-copy-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231023 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231024 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20231002T100112Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231115T110118Z UID:32206-1698019200-1698105599@rai-see.org SUMMARY:The Republic of Moldova signed The International Treaty on Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations - Chisinau\, Moldova DESCRIPTION:Chisinau\, October 23\, 2023 – The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat initiated and coordinated the Republic of Moldova’s signing of the International Treaty on Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations\, which took place on 23 October 2023 in Chisinau\, hosted and organized at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Moldova. \nBy this act\, the Republic of Moldova has joined the first signatories of the Treaty\, Montenegro\, the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia demonstrating the essential commitment to the fight against corruption and to strengthening cooperation in the Southeast Europe (SEE) region. \nMinister of Justice of the Republic of the Republic Moldova\, Ms. Veronica Mihailov-Moraru said that signing this Treaty on behalf of the Republic of Moldova presents great honor. Fighting against corruption is one of the priorities of the Moldovan Government which is committed to providing all the tools and mechanisms to strengthen institutional capacities in preventing and investigating corruption. The signing of this Treaty is one of the useful steps to provide national stakeholders with all the mechanisms to ensure that the highest standards of ethics and integrity are in place. The desire is to create the efficient system to check the asset declarations where it will be possible to check data nationally and regionally. This signature on the Treaty shows Moldova’s commitment to the EU accession process and its willingness to strengthen the regional cooperation ties. \nMs. Laura Stefan\, RAI Chairperson\, expressed pleasure in having the Republic of Moldova sign the International Treaty on the exchange of data to verify the content of the property records of public officials. \n“By the act of signing this agreement\, the delegations of the Republic of Moldova as well as previously Montenegro\, the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Serbia are providing the essential commitment of their countries in the fight against corruption and strengthening cooperation in the region. The main purpose of the Treaty is the prevention and suppression of corruption through the strengthening of interstate cooperation and enabling the direct administrative exchange of data between the signatories of the Agreement” Ms. Stefan said. \nShe emphasized that the Treaty in the best way reflects the RAI’s efforts in providing support in the field of prevention and fighting corruption in the SEE region – by building national capacities\, supporting the strengthening of legal frameworks\, providing training on specific anti-corruption tools\, and mainly enhancing and fostering regional cooperation. \nMs. Desislava Gotskova\, Head of RAI Secretariat\, congratulated Moldova for signing the Treaty. “I hope that this Treaty will soon come into force and new countries will join and thus it will become a widely recognized tool for cooperation in the field of data exchange of asset declarations in the region and beyond” she stated and referred to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and its Resolution 6/4 from 2015 as the basis of the International Treaty. \nShe expressed thanks to the Austrian Government\, in particular the Austrian Development Agency\, that has recognized the importance of the Treaty and continues to support RAI in this endeavor underlining that RAI Secretariat remains fully committed to assisting countries in transposing the Treaty into the national legal order and support the implementation of Treaty provisions. \nMs. Bojana Šćepanović\, State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia\, also congratulated the host country for its decision to join the Treaty. “I proudly emphasize that the Republic of Serbia is the depositary of this important document. Our dedication to the fight against corruption is constant\, and it must not end. That’s why we continuously seek for new ways and solutions”\, she noted. \nThe signing ceremony was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Justice Moldova\, the National Integrity Authority of Moldova\, the National Anticorruption Center of Moldova\, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova\, as well as the representatives of RAI member countries from Albania\, Bosnia and Herzegovina\, Bulgaria\, Croatia\, Montenegro\, Serbia and Ukraine in the role of observer country. \nThe event was organized under auspices of the Regional Programme Southeast Europe-Together against Corruption (SEE-TAC) with the financial support of the Austrian Development Cooperation. \nPhoto Gallery URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/international-treaty-signing-ceremony-chisinau-moldova/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AC0563-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231017 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231020 DTSTAMP:20260129T101823 CREATED:20231013T114606Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240202T140020Z UID:32345-1697500800-1697759999@rai-see.org SUMMARY:Regional Workshop ”Money laundering: Where the Theory meets Practice” DESCRIPTION:ZAGREB\, 17-19 October 2023 – The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative Secretariat represented by Nikola Naumovski\, Senior Anti-corruption Adviser\, participated in a three-day workshop on anti-money laundering “Where Theory Meets Practice”\, organized by RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation in partnership with the Regional Anticorruption Initiative (RAI) and the Department for Forensic Sciences of the University of Split. \nThis joint initiative is \n \n aimed at establishing a regional platform for addressing transformation processes in South East European (SEE) countries in view of governance improvement by implementing and sharing Forensic Science information across state services. \nIn his opening remarks\, RAI Senior Anti-corruption Advisor Nikola Naumovski\, emphasized the importance of joint activity: “In this three-day workshop we will have a lot of quite distinguished panels and interesting topics but also case studies and experiences from practice that will be used in money laundering future work.”  He also presented the scope of work of his organization. \nRACVIAC Director Constantin-Mihail Grigorie\, emphasized the need to extend lines of action to other ministries\, governmental and non-governmental organizations besides the Ministries of Foreign Affairs\, Ministries of Defence\, and Ministries of Interior\, to provide all with a greater amount of professional assistance and opportunities for cooperation.” URL:https://rai-see.org/all-events/regional-workshop-money-laundering-where-the-theory-meets-practice/ LOCATION:Rakitje\, Croatia\, Rakitje\, Croatia (Local Name: Hrvatska) ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rai-see.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/group-photo-4-print--scaled.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR