Annual Report of TI Ukraine 2019
ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Transparency International Ukraine is an accredited chapter of a global movement with a comprehensive approach to the development and implementation of changes for reducing levels of corruption.
to reduce the level of corruption in Ukraine.
Our Mission
Strategic Priorities of TI Ukraine
Systemic approach: we analyze both the consequences and the reasons, suggesting and implementing comprehensive mechanisms.
Our Values:
Unity: we are a team united by a common goal. Our team prevails mutual respect, mutual trust and responsibility.
Proactivity: we do not wait for change; we make the change ourselves.
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Balance: we are willing to listen to all sides and make an independent, informed decision. Our activity is constructive.
Openness: we are open, accountable and honest in our activity.
Efficiency: we achieve excellent results with optimal use of resources and account for them.
Innovation: if old methods are ineffective, we are willing to take risks to find new effective strategies. We think outside the box.
TI Ukraine Board
Andrii Vyshnevskyi
Chair of the Board, Executive Director of Tomorrow's Lawyer CSO
Tomas Fiala
Chief Executive Officer of the Ukrainian investment company Dragon Capital
José Ugaz
Professor of Law, Chair of Transparency International (2014-2017)
Andrii Rozhdestvenskyi
Executive Director of UCU Leadership Center
Former Board Members Yaroslav Yurchyshyn (until 2019), Yuliia Klymenko (until 2019), Oleksandr Banchuk (until 2019)
149
KEY RESULTS
TI Ukraine was represented in 20 oblasts of the country
(except Vinnytsia, Volyn, Kherson, Cherkasy oblasts and
Autonomous Republic of Crimea)
(except Vinnytsia, Volyn, Kherson, Cherkasy oblasts and
Autonomous Republic of Crimea)
events where the TI Ukraine team was represented
organizer
Among these activities, the organization acted as:
speaker
invited participant
co-organizer
67
64
13
5
ENGAGEMENT
ENGAGEMENT in the organization's activities:
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Who are those interested in our activities:
NGO representatives
32%
32%
Journalists 5%
Lawyers 4%
International partners/ organizations 4%
Business representatives 14%
Academia 8%
Government authorities 6%
Representatives
of local self-government bodies 8%
of local self-government bodies 8%
They were mostly educational activities (trainings, seminars, webinars) (44%), public discussions (14%), consultations, TI expertise (where we act as consultants) (11%)
2500
unique contacts have been added to our database over 2019
56%
women
44%
men
37
the average age of the participants (the youngest participant being 17, the oldest being 77)
Other 18%
29
candidates for the position of the NACP head were analyzed. The organization found issues with ~ 45% candidates; 9 candidates were affiliated with a political party, and concerning 7 people, there was information of alleged unethical behavior.
PREVENTION
50
broadcasts and interviews have been conducted to advocate for broadening the definition of a whistleblower and to clarify the need to reboot the NACP.
Read more
38
cities became more transparent due to the advocacy efforts of TI Ukraine.
31
trainings on the use of BI tools in public procurement monitoring were conducted.
12000
complaints of procurement violations were sent together with the DOZORRO
community.
community.
We participated in the selection of the NACP Head. TI Ukraine's Head of Legal was the co-chair of the Selection Commission.
15
speakers at events in 8 spheres on transparency, accountability, decentralization and civic engagement.
legal analyses of bills, laws, conclusions of the Constitutional Court with recommendations published
30
4
representatives participated in the NABU HR and Disciplinary Commissions and Prosecutor General's Office Personnel Commission
120
candidates for the positions of HACC judges were analyzed
PUNISHMENT
300
candidates for positions in the ARMA were analyzed
We presented a study on correlation of management of seized assets with human rights
19
countries: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, United Kingdom, Georgia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Germany, Poland, Romania, USA, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, France, Chile, Switzerland, Sri Lanka
INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS
16
members of the team were involved
Only by overcoming ambiguity will we find a way to get rid of corruption
Opening Address of the Chairman of the Board Andrii Vyshnevskyi
Why are values crucial to counteracting corruption? Because Ukraine will be able to win this fight only by implementing and rooting profound changes in the public consciousness.
In order for corruption intolerance to become intrinsically valuable to society, we will obviously have to go a long and difficult way. After all, when it comes to corrupt politicians, nearly two-thirds of society demands punishment. However, when it comes to ourselves, our own fear of being punished is a factor deterring less than 2% of people from engaging in corruption. It's hardly believable because it looks too crazy - but it's a fact.
In fact, the Minister, the Member of Parliament, the farmer, and the bus driver are no different from each other in terms of moral personality. Therefore, applying different measures of responsibility for corruption to the public officials and to
In order for corruption intolerance to become intrinsically valuable to society, we will obviously have to go a long and difficult way. After all, when it comes to corrupt politicians, nearly two-thirds of society demands punishment. However, when it comes to ourselves, our own fear of being punished is a factor deterring less than 2% of people from engaging in corruption. It's hardly believable because it looks too crazy - but it's a fact.
In fact, the Minister, the Member of Parliament, the farmer, and the bus driver are no different from each other in terms of moral personality. Therefore, applying different measures of responsibility for corruption to the public officials and to
oneself is unfair. Such selectivity is one of the dramatic manifestations of the internal contradiction of Ukrainian society, which - by naming things by their names - is difficult to call otherwise than double standard morality. Without overcoming ambiguity, we will not find a way to get rid of corruption.
Getting out of the moral swamp and stepping on solid ground, we need to determine the institutional priorities for overcoming corruption. In my opinion, there are four most important priorities. The first priority is a fair system of redistribution of goods in society. The second is a fair and accessible justice system. The third priority is the end-to-end systems to ensure the value wholeness and integrity of public institutions (public integrity). And the fourth is to redirect the goals and incentives of state education, health, social protection and legal assistance to the development of human capital and responsible citizenship.
Getting out of the moral swamp and stepping on solid ground, we need to determine the institutional priorities for overcoming corruption. In my opinion, there are four most important priorities. The first priority is a fair system of redistribution of goods in society. The second is a fair and accessible justice system. The third priority is the end-to-end systems to ensure the value wholeness and integrity of public institutions (public integrity). And the fourth is to redirect the goals and incentives of state education, health, social protection and legal assistance to the development of human capital and responsible citizenship.
Read more
The fourth priority requires special attention. The free legal aid system and the National Health Service have made progress with goal setting. However, despite their efforts, education and social protection systems still remain paternalistic and suppress critical thinking, free will, and civil responsibility. The unreformed "social sphere" continues to poison society and make the most significant contribution to maintaining a high rate of 40% of Ukrainians who tolerate corruption today. This tolerance also creates a fertile ground for political corruption.
So far, Ukraine is riddled with corruption from the maternity hospital to the cemetery. However, next to the birth of the "creative class" we can observe the birth of the "virtuous class": in business, in government, and in the public sector. I believe there are already a fair number of honest business people out there – even in the legal business! – paying taxes, paying no salaries in envelopes, and giving no bribes. Those who do not steal, do not oppress individuals and do not sell indulgences. Those in the public sector who does not do dubious business on foreign grants, adding legitimacy to corrupt authorities by their toothless position.
We, the TI Ukraine team, identify ourselves as part of the virtuous creative class and claim the role of an accelerator in combating systemic corruption and a platform to transform a circle of honest socially, economically and politically active people into the critical mass needed for irreversible change.
How exactly? If you imagine corruption as a living being, it is most frightened of three things: to be seen, to be unnecessary and to be punished. Our activities help corruption in Ukraine become this fearful creature. Read more in our report. But beware: if you read it, you, too, may want to become part of the anti-corruption struggle. After all, each line contains a generous helping of transparency and integrity.
So far, Ukraine is riddled with corruption from the maternity hospital to the cemetery. However, next to the birth of the "creative class" we can observe the birth of the "virtuous class": in business, in government, and in the public sector. I believe there are already a fair number of honest business people out there – even in the legal business! – paying taxes, paying no salaries in envelopes, and giving no bribes. Those who do not steal, do not oppress individuals and do not sell indulgences. Those in the public sector who does not do dubious business on foreign grants, adding legitimacy to corrupt authorities by their toothless position.
We, the TI Ukraine team, identify ourselves as part of the virtuous creative class and claim the role of an accelerator in combating systemic corruption and a platform to transform a circle of honest socially, economically and politically active people into the critical mass needed for irreversible change.
How exactly? If you imagine corruption as a living being, it is most frightened of three things: to be seen, to be unnecessary and to be punished. Our activities help corruption in Ukraine become this fearful creature. Read more in our report. But beware: if you read it, you, too, may want to become part of the anti-corruption struggle. After all, each line contains a generous helping of transparency and integrity.
5 victories of TI Ukraine in 2019
Opening Address of the Executive Director Andrii Borovyk
2019 has become a year of challenges and victories, joy and disappointment for all Ukrainians. This is a year of fierce political struggle in elections, high-profile journalistic investigations. The year we got acquainted with the Parliamentary "turbo mode" and the year of launching the High Anti-Corruption Court.
Last year, we celebrated 5 years since receiving full accreditation of a member of the global Transparency International movement. Our 5th anniversary coincided with the full restart of the authorities after Yanukovych and his associates escaped. We held a conference "5 Years of Corruption Counteraction: Values and Practices", where together with representatives of anti-corruption bodies and international partners, we discussed Ukraine's achievements in the anti-corruption sphere in the years after the Revolution of Dignity, analyzed the challenges of our common anti-corruption path and identified the next strategic priorities.
Last year, we celebrated 5 years since receiving full accreditation of a member of the global Transparency International movement. Our 5th anniversary coincided with the full restart of the authorities after Yanukovych and his associates escaped. We held a conference "5 Years of Corruption Counteraction: Values and Practices", where together with representatives of anti-corruption bodies and international partners, we discussed Ukraine's achievements in the anti-corruption sphere in the years after the Revolution of Dignity, analyzed the challenges of our common anti-corruption path and identified the next strategic priorities.
For all its complexity and dynamism, for us, 2019 will be remembered not only for the challenges but also for real achievements that we can be proud of.
The first and biggest challenge for us was the presidential and parliamentary elections. In our advocacy efforts, we did our best to remain objective and equitable from all political parties, and have succeeded in it.
The second challenge has been the major structural changes in our organization, including at the highest level. It was my first year as the Executive Director. Political "turbulence" also affected the Board. Two board members who have played an active role in building the organization have decided to continue their professional life in politics. I must point out that this did not in any way affect our impartiality. The members of the organization have chosen a worthy replacement within the Board with useful experience for the organization.
The first and biggest challenge for us was the presidential and parliamentary elections. In our advocacy efforts, we did our best to remain objective and equitable from all political parties, and have succeeded in it.
The second challenge has been the major structural changes in our organization, including at the highest level. It was my first year as the Executive Director. Political "turbulence" also affected the Board. Two board members who have played an active role in building the organization have decided to continue their professional life in politics. I must point out that this did not in any way affect our impartiality. The members of the organization have chosen a worthy replacement within the Board with useful experience for the organization.
Read more
The three-year phase of building the ProZorro.Sale system is now complete. We transferred all the information bases to the state. From now on TI Ukraine will cooperate with it in terms of public oversight and support of the idea of transparent sale and disposal of property.
Fourth, we have successfully continued to work in the regions and with the regions. We have released the second Transparency Ranking of 100 Ukrainian cities, and many city councils are focusing on this research today. International technical assistance projects use our transparency measurement methodology in their work, and local NGOs advocate local change.
And finally, it is worth mentioning our expert and advocacy activities. While the first half of the year was mostly calm in this aspect, the last four months proved to be more active than in the previous months. And all thanks to the "turbo mode" in the Verkhovna Rada and the increased activity of the new heads of state. We actively participated in the development, advocacy, correction and amendment of the draft laws and regulations, which were then adopted - on public procurement, leasing of state and municipal property, restarting the NACP, and the jurisdiction of the High Anti-Corruption Court. We plan to continue doing so, and to monitor their proper implementation.
In 2019, we again demonstrated that we are ready to contribute to the changes in the country. Not only were we involved in the drafting of the bills, but we were also directly responsible for taking part in the selection committees of representatives of the anti-corruption bodies and the prosecutor's office. Our representative Kateryna Ryzhenko was the co-chair of the Selection Committee of the NAPC head. And I personally spent several weeks at the Prosecutor General's Office, taking part in the cleansing the system of unscrupulous prosecutors.
At the same time, with the obvious progress in establishing state institutions and new tools to prevent corruption, we continued to promote the achievements of our country in various international formats. We have promoted not only Ukraine's successes (ProZorro, ProZorro.Sale, anti-corruption infrastructure, electronic declarations, etc.), but also our organization's achievements - DOZORRO public monitoring and oversight projects and Transparent Cities. By the way, there is a huge demand in the world for the exchange of such experience, including from the governments of other countries.
In 2020, we will continue to develop new areas of activity. In particular, focusing on plans for a new wave of privatization, we have started cooperation with the State Property Fund. There is simple logic: the less the state is involved in the economy, the less corruption is observed in enterprises. So next year, our organization will monitor, support and offer new tools for this process.
TI Ukraine will also start a new phase of measuring city transparency, but this time with a focus on practical results and benefits for citizens. You will see the Transparent Cities program catch a new breath. It will be even larger in scope and will further evaluate the effects of decentralization and advocate for citizen participation in local governance. Next year will be difficult in this regard, given the expected local elections.
In 2020, an updated Law on Public Procurement is coming into force, the Second Procurement Revolution will take place, so we will actively monitor this process. At the same time, new legislation on leasing state and municipal property will come into force this year. We are already preparing a DOZORRO.Sale project for civil society to control the use of the ProZorro.Sale system.
And finally, it is in 2020 that the first serious verdicts of the High Anti-Corruption Court on top corruption cases will be made. This is also a challenge, as the level of distrust in public bodies and courts in our society remains extremely high. Therefore, only in real cases, indisputable from the point of view of justice and the rule of law, will the Judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court be able to increase their credibility. And since TI Ukraine initially emphasized the need for such a court, its high-profile sentences and their correct clarification to society will be a challenge for us as well.
2020 has already shown that it will be difficult. Corruption in the judiciary, which if not eradicated would scare away foreign investors, questionable appointments in law enforcement agencies offset any populist slogans about the era of justice, attempts to pressure the anti-corruption authorities, deepen the collapse and the already weak system of checks and balances. These are some of the many challenges to our country's development.
I am convinced that all these difficulties must be converted to new opportunities. And we know we will do everything we can to use them to minimize corruption and improve the lives of every Ukrainian citizen.
I believe that our organizational success is an integral part of the country's success. I know that in 2020 our ambitions and, I hope, the ambitions of the government will only grow. And we can finally prove to the world that Ukrainians are able not only to create anti-corruption infrastructure and to prevent corruption through innovative solutions but also to provide justice through the punishment of those responsible for the offenses.
Fourth, we have successfully continued to work in the regions and with the regions. We have released the second Transparency Ranking of 100 Ukrainian cities, and many city councils are focusing on this research today. International technical assistance projects use our transparency measurement methodology in their work, and local NGOs advocate local change.
And finally, it is worth mentioning our expert and advocacy activities. While the first half of the year was mostly calm in this aspect, the last four months proved to be more active than in the previous months. And all thanks to the "turbo mode" in the Verkhovna Rada and the increased activity of the new heads of state. We actively participated in the development, advocacy, correction and amendment of the draft laws and regulations, which were then adopted - on public procurement, leasing of state and municipal property, restarting the NACP, and the jurisdiction of the High Anti-Corruption Court. We plan to continue doing so, and to monitor their proper implementation.
In 2019, we again demonstrated that we are ready to contribute to the changes in the country. Not only were we involved in the drafting of the bills, but we were also directly responsible for taking part in the selection committees of representatives of the anti-corruption bodies and the prosecutor's office. Our representative Kateryna Ryzhenko was the co-chair of the Selection Committee of the NAPC head. And I personally spent several weeks at the Prosecutor General's Office, taking part in the cleansing the system of unscrupulous prosecutors.
At the same time, with the obvious progress in establishing state institutions and new tools to prevent corruption, we continued to promote the achievements of our country in various international formats. We have promoted not only Ukraine's successes (ProZorro, ProZorro.Sale, anti-corruption infrastructure, electronic declarations, etc.), but also our organization's achievements - DOZORRO public monitoring and oversight projects and Transparent Cities. By the way, there is a huge demand in the world for the exchange of such experience, including from the governments of other countries.
In 2020, we will continue to develop new areas of activity. In particular, focusing on plans for a new wave of privatization, we have started cooperation with the State Property Fund. There is simple logic: the less the state is involved in the economy, the less corruption is observed in enterprises. So next year, our organization will monitor, support and offer new tools for this process.
TI Ukraine will also start a new phase of measuring city transparency, but this time with a focus on practical results and benefits for citizens. You will see the Transparent Cities program catch a new breath. It will be even larger in scope and will further evaluate the effects of decentralization and advocate for citizen participation in local governance. Next year will be difficult in this regard, given the expected local elections.
In 2020, an updated Law on Public Procurement is coming into force, the Second Procurement Revolution will take place, so we will actively monitor this process. At the same time, new legislation on leasing state and municipal property will come into force this year. We are already preparing a DOZORRO.Sale project for civil society to control the use of the ProZorro.Sale system.
And finally, it is in 2020 that the first serious verdicts of the High Anti-Corruption Court on top corruption cases will be made. This is also a challenge, as the level of distrust in public bodies and courts in our society remains extremely high. Therefore, only in real cases, indisputable from the point of view of justice and the rule of law, will the Judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court be able to increase their credibility. And since TI Ukraine initially emphasized the need for such a court, its high-profile sentences and their correct clarification to society will be a challenge for us as well.
2020 has already shown that it will be difficult. Corruption in the judiciary, which if not eradicated would scare away foreign investors, questionable appointments in law enforcement agencies offset any populist slogans about the era of justice, attempts to pressure the anti-corruption authorities, deepen the collapse and the already weak system of checks and balances. These are some of the many challenges to our country's development.
I am convinced that all these difficulties must be converted to new opportunities. And we know we will do everything we can to use them to minimize corruption and improve the lives of every Ukrainian citizen.
I believe that our organizational success is an integral part of the country's success. I know that in 2020 our ambitions and, I hope, the ambitions of the government will only grow. And we can finally prove to the world that Ukrainians are able not only to create anti-corruption infrastructure and to prevent corruption through innovative solutions but also to provide justice through the punishment of those responsible for the offenses.
In 2019, TI Ukraine celebrated 5 years since receiving full accreditation as a national chapter of the global anti-corruption movement Transparency International. During the November 1 conference, we brought together international partners, government officials, NGOs and journalists to discuss our victories, lessons learned, and values that help us move forward.
For 5 years, TI Ukraine has been involved in creating innovative services, tools and networks, helping to build anti-corruption infrastructure and legislation, change cities for the better, conduct powerful communication campaigns and share best practices with the world.
For 5 years, TI Ukraine has been involved in creating innovative services, tools and networks, helping to build anti-corruption infrastructure and legislation, change cities for the better, conduct powerful communication campaigns and share best practices with the world.
5 YEARS OF TI UKRAINE
Sandra Pernar
Open Government Partnership Senior Regional Coordinator
Open Government Partnership Senior Regional Coordinator
Corruption and inequality are the main causes of protests around the world. Citizens want the government to act transparently. The Revolution of Dignity has become an example that inspires other countries to protest against corruption. The community of Ukrainian reformers has become key to creating innovations that have made the country a world leader in transparent procurement. Prozorro and DOZORRO have been recognized by the Open Government Partnership for the past few years with a number of awards.
Oleksa Shalaiskyi
Editor-in-Chief of "Nashi Hroshi" website
Editor-in-Chief of "Nashi Hroshi" website
The three pillars of anti-corruption are journalists, responsible businesses or donors, and civic activists who implement anti-corruption projects. These are the components that are needed to combat corruption and complement each other effectively.
Andrii Borovyk
Executive Director of TI Ukraine
Executive Director of TI Ukraine
The three lessons that are most important in these five years are: first, you should always engage in dialogue. We are ready to speak with everyone as long as there is an opportunity to change something. Second, don't give up! We often talk about combating corruption, but we at TI know that this is impossible. We can only help mitigate corruption. Third, do not forget the values. You always have to make compromises in your work, but there is always a limit you are not ready to cross. That is why it is important to keep in mind the values you carry with you to any system, especially a government agency.
OUR TEAM
Financial Report
@ Transparency International Ukraine 2020
Transparency International is an anti-corruption organization founded in 1993 in Berlin by former World Bank director Peter Eigen. Currently, the chair of the Board is Delia Ferreira. Transparency International operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization is best known for its Corruption Perceptions Index and Global Corruption Barometer. According to Global Go To Think Index Tank 2017, Transparency International ranked 51st out of 173 global think tanks and was the leader among 65 think tanks working on issues of open and good governance.
