In a modern democratic society, public control is a key to transparency and accountability of the authorities. Its effective tools help improve the efficiency of government institutions, strengthen democratic principles and minimize corruption risks. Due to their accessibility and simplicity, these tools are gaining popularity among Ukrainians. Today, anyone with a smartphone can influence local and national policy making, monitor government activities, and encourage decision-making that is in the best interests of the community.
However, it is important not only to have access to government services and procedures, but also to be able to use them effectively. Therefore, one of the primary tasks of state and local authorities is to raise awareness of citizens about the available tools of public control and popularize successful experience of their use.
Electronic petitions, public consultations, requests for public information, monitoring of reconstruction through the DREAM system and procurement through Prozorro, verification of construction legality through the Unified State Electronic System in the Field of Construction (USESCS) are just some of the effective mechanisms that allow active citizens to influence the quality of management decisions at both the state and community levels.
The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), as part of a nationwide information campaign supported by the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI), has provided comprehensive explanations on how to use each of them.
In partnership with local governments, regional military administrations and state-owned enterprises, the NACP's information materials, united by the leitmotif “Corruption is afraid of your control,” were broadcast on national and local TV channels and placed in public transport, train stations, administrative service centers, other administrative buildings, and on the streets of cities and towns.
The videos, billboards, city lights, and posters created as part of the campaign address topical issues such as the use of budget funds during the war, financing of reconstruction, targeted use of community budgets, urban planning, and the construction of civilian protective structures. They contain a link to the NACP's training video course on civic control, which explains in detail the mechanisms that allow every citizen to join the monitoring, control and participation in government decision-making. The course can be accessed simply by scanning the QR code located on the advertising image using a smartphone.
NACP expresses its gratitude to all partners who joined this important campaign and contributed to the dissemination of information about effective tools of public control in every corner of Ukraine. We urge every citizen to remember that public control is not only a right but also a responsibility of each of us. The active use of these tools contributes to building a more open and fair state. Our activity today means no corruption tomorrow!
