Empowering citizens to fight for a corruption free Armenia 2020 Strategy
In order to achieve tangible results in the fight against corruption, TIAC defines its long term vision as «empowering citizens to fight for a corruption free Armenia» on which the organization s 2016-20 strategy is founded. It is imperative to develop intolerance toward corruption among the citizenry, establish public oversight over state institutions and expenses, identify legislative loopholes and present recommendations for eliminating them in order to achieve legislative and behavioral changes in public services, elections and public finance sectors. TIAC aims to promote good governance in Armenia by reducing corruption and strengthening democracy. The fight against corruption requires a united public. If every individual refuses to tolerate corruption and demands justice, we can achieve tangible results. In order to implement TIAC s vision of empowering citizens to fight for a corruption free Armenia, TIAC s 2016-20 efforts will be focused on three strategic areas based on internal and external environments, SWOT analysis, as well as the following criteria, Urgency of issues Effectiveness of results TIAC s strengths Available external features Stakeholders expectations 2
Results from 2020 strategy s SWOT analysis 3
TIAC s three strategic areas for 2020 public service / conflict of interest Problem Goals Results Some of the main reasons for corruption include, the fusion of government and business, conflict of interests and ineffective governance. Corruption in the public sector stems primarily from conflict of interest among public servants, lack of regulation of conduct, legislative loopholes, illegal and non-transparent decisionmaking processes, as well as the lack of public oversight. TIAC aims to achieve legislative and behavioral changes in the public service sector, especially the improvement of legal frameworks, as well as citizen mobilization in the public service sector and public oversight in cases of conflict of interests among public servants. We anticipate to reduce corruption in the public service sector, as well document and prevent corruption within the public service sector and in areas of conflict of interests, with the help of citizens and civil society organizations. public finance Problem Goals Results As a result of corruption, public resources including public finances are often mismanaged. The mismanagement of public finances stems from corresponding legislative loopholes, lack of institutional accountability, illegal and nontransparent decision-making processes, as well as lack of public oversight. TIAC aims to reach legislative and behavioral changes within public finance management. In particular the improvement of legal frameworks, as well as citizen mobilization for monitoring public expenditure, with the aim to increase institutional accountability and transparency of public finance management. We anticipate to reduce corruption in the public finance sector, as well as document and prevent corruption within the public finance sector, with the help of citizens and civil society organizations. elections Problem Goals Results In Armenia, elections are often accompanied by electoral violations, because of this a large proportion of the population is skeptical about the quality of elections. Primary reasons for this problem include legislative loopholes, weak political parties, the structure of agenda, lack of public participation in the electoral process and electoral oversight, as well as inadequate application of laws. TIAC aims to achieve legislative and behavioral changes in the electoral process. Primarily, changes in legislation, as well as public mobilization for electoral oversight to foster a free and just electoral process. We anticipate that elections will occur in accordance to the electoral law code. The law code will be adopted in accordance to recommendations from OSCE and ODIHR, as well as proposals from TIAC. Furthermore, TIAC will record and prevent electoral fraud with the help of citizen observers. 4
PUBLIC SERVICE legislative changes STRATEGIC AREA1 Corruption reduction in public service sector. Success indicator The reduction of corruption in the public service sector is ensured. Corruption in the public service sector is decreased Legislation aimed at resolving conflict of interests and of proper conduct for public servants is adopted in accordance to TIAC recommendations. Legislation aimed at improving the public service sector is adopted. Corruption risks are reduced in the public service sector. Legal acts aimed at the regulation of certain public service sectors are adopted in accordance to TIAC s recommendations. Factions of the NA (National Assembly) support the inclusion of TIAC s recommendations within legislation. State authorities accept TIAC s recommendations. Citizens and CSOs support the advocacy of recommended legislative changes presented by TIAC. Citizens and CSOs (Civil Society Organizations) are informed about the results from the corruption risk assessment, based off of which TIAC recommended legislative changes. State authorities were informed about the results from the corruption risk assessment, as well as TIAC s recommended legislative changes based on that assessment. International organizations and foreign missions support the advocacy of recommended legislative changes presented by TIAC. International organizations and foreign missions are informed about the results from the corruption risk assessment, as well as TIAC s recommended legislative changes based on that assessment. TIAC develops a legislative change package for specific public service sectors (security, health, education and others) based on the results from the corruption risk assessment. 5
PUBLIC SERVICE behavioral changes STRATEGIC AREA 1 The percentage of corruption cases documented by citizens, media and CSOs Proposed/accepted package of recommendations in regards to conflict of interest cases within public service sectors Success indicator With the help of citizens, CSOs and the media, corruption in the public service sector and conflict of interest is documented or thwarted. Citizens, CSOs and the media become involved in the advocacy of legislative changes aimed at public service corruption and conflict of interest. Citizens and CSOs conduct public service monitoring. Citizens, CSOs and the media raise concerns about corruption and conflict of interests cases. Citizens and CSOs acquire skills in the public service monitoring. Citizens, CSOs and the media acquire knowledge about corruption and conflict of interest. 6
PUBLIC FINANCE legislative changes Corruption reduction in the public finance sector STRATEGIC AREA 2 Success indicator The reduction of corruption is ensured in the public finance sector. Corruption is reduced in the public service sector. The risks of corruption is reduced in the public service sector. Public finance legislation is applied. Factions of the NA (National Assembly) support the inclusion of TIAC s recommendations within legislation. Legislation about public finance sectors is passed in conjunction with TIAC s recommendations. State authorities accept the recommended legislative changes presented by TIAC. Citizens and CSOs support the advocacy of recommended legislative changes presented by TIAC. International organizations and foreign missions support the advocacy of recommended legislative changes presented by TIAC. Citizens and CSOs are informed about the results from public finance monitoring as well as TIAC s recommended legislative changes based on those results. State authorities are informed about the legislative changes recommended by TIAC. International organizations and foreign missions are informed about the results from public finance monitoring as well as TIAC s recommended legislative changes based on those results. TIAC develops a package of recommended legislative changes for public finance monitoring. 7
PUBLIC FINANCE behavioral changes STRATEGIC AREA 2 The percentage of cases recorded by media and businesses Proposed/accepted package of proposed/accepted recommendations in regards to the efficiency of public finance spending Success indicator With the help of citizens, CSO s, businesses and the media, corruption is documented or thwarted in the public finance sector. Citizens, CSOs, businesses, and media become involved in advocacy to increase the efficiency of public finance spending. Citizens and CSOs become involved in public finance monitoring. Businesses and media raise concerns about cases of corruption in public procurement. Citizens and CSOs acquire skills in public finance monitoring. Businesses and media are informed about the risks of corruption in public procurement. 8
ELECTIONS legislative changes Percentage of recorded electoral violations appealed by relevant bodies STRATEGIC AREA 3 Success indicator Elections are held in accordance to the electoral code, which is adopted in accordance to OSCE and ODIHR suggestions and TIAC s recommendations. The electoral code is adopted in accordance to suggestions made by OSCE and ODIHR, as well as recommendations made by TIAC. The package of proposals developed by TIAC is discussed because it is included in the 4+4+4 format. NA factions support the inclusion of TIAC s recommendations into the draft electoral code. State authorities accept TIAC s recommendations. Citizens and CSOs support the advocacy of recommendations presented by TIAC. International organizations and foreign missions support the advocacy of recommendations presented by TIAC Citizens and CSOs are informed about the intended limitation of rights present in the draft electoral code, as well as the recommendations presented by TIAC. State authorities are informed about TIAC s recommendations about the draft electoral code. International organizations and foreign missions are informed about TIAC s recommendations about the draft electoral code. TIAC develops a package of proposals on the draft electoral code based on recommendations and suggestions from OSCE and ODIHR. 9
ELECTIONS behavioral changes Monitoring elections at every polling station in the republic of Armenia STRATEGIC AREA 3 Success indicator Electoral fraud is documented or thwarted with the help of citizen observers. Citizen observers document election violations. A rapid response team is created. Citizen observers are recruited based on demand, and given adequate knowledge for effective observation. Call center is successfully launched. Recruitment criteria is adopted by Citizen Observer. Network of Citizen Observers and partner NGOs is expanded. Citizens and CSOs are informed about becoming involved in the Citizen Observer mission. 10
TIAC Strategic Development Map of 2020 11
This document is an effective monitoring tool for TIAC members a guiding document for employees a source of information to stakeholders and donor organizations This strategic plan provides a basis for the organization's operations and plan development and implementation, as well as for the evaluation of staff performance. This strategy will be revised as appropriate but no later than annually. Responsible bodies General Meeting The General Meeting approves both this strategy and the Executive Director s reports on actions to implement these strategic goals. The Board carries out strategy development and submits it to the General Meeting to be approved, as well as takes into account annual action plans for the strategy implementation and approves their implementation reports. The Executive Director of the Organization ensures carrying out action plan for the implementation of strategic goals and presents its implementation report to the Board, as well as activity reports on strategic goal implementation to the General Meeting. Employees carry out the actions defined by annual working plans for the implementation of the strategic goals and regularly present reports to those responsible for the strategic direction, according to established procedures. The Secretariat of TI global movement against corruption, provides regular accreditation for national chapters /every three years/, analyzes and evaluates the Organization s general activity, development, effectiveness and ensures continuous compliance with its Standards. 12
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