The process leading up to EU membership and Ukraine’s ongoing war against Russia has been the main drivers of relatively rapid and positive changes in the anti-corruption field. In October last year, the NHC invited a dozen Ukrainian researchers, anti-corruption experts, journalists and activists to Oslo. They aimed to present a more accurate and up-to-date picture of the situation in Ukraine to Norwegian decision-makers, researchers and business representatives. A policy paper following the study visit emphasises the need for Norwegian support for Ukrainian media and investigative journalists.
The policy paper’s author, Polish researcher Grzegorz Makowski, emphasises the importance of international support for Ukraine’s fight against corruption and that this requires a good understanding of the situation on the ground.
“Ukraine does not deserve to be labelled a corrupt state. For a decade, there has been enough political will to build a solid infrastructure, including solutions allowing investigative journalists and ordinary citizens to monitor and actively contribute to the fight against corruption. And this process is now continuing in parallel with the warfare,” says Makowski.
The NHC has supported the award-winning Bihus.info as part of our Nansen programme. Bihus is a household name in Ukraine. They are behind major revelations about corrupt politicians and judges, but this time the task is slightly different. In a series of videos, the journalists explain the positive changes that have taken place and dispel myths about corruption. In March, they released their first video in the series, which focussed on the salaries of the prime minister and members of the government Бути міністром – (не)вигідно? Про зарплати, 0% премій, відпустки і смішні добові. This is an important example of constructive anti-corruption prevention, which was the second key recommendation in the policy paper. Constructive prevention includes public education and support for grassroots initiatives to help society actively participate in the war against Ukraine’s other great enemy, corruption.