The team of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, led by NACP Head Viktor Pavlushchyk, made a working visit to Mykolaiv region. In particular, meetings were held with local authorities: the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration Vitalii Kim, the head of the regional council Anton Tabunschyk, the mayor Oleksandr Senkevych, as well as specialists responsible for anti-corruption activities in the region.
"Strategic research on corruption risks is based on specific examples that can serve as a basis for identifying corruption risks in your agencies. The issue of recovery is of paramount importance for the Mykolaiv region. Last week, the NACP presented a study of corruption risks during these processes and will insist on the development and adoption of a law that will define the legal and organisational requirements for the process of rebuilding Ukraine. Therefore, we must establish communication, offer cooperation and share best practices. This includes changes in legislation and how to apply it in practice to minimise corruption risks. We understand how difficult the situation remains in the frontline region, but the dialogue has already begun and that is important. Our recommendations can be implemented at the regional level through the anti-corruption programmes of the authorities. You can contact us for advice on their development. For those authorities where anti-corruption programmes are not mandatory, we still recommend that they consider adopting them, as this is an important indicator for society and a sign of transparency on the part of the authorities. However, it is not the formal approach to adopting programmes that is important, but their actual implementation," said Viktor Pavlushchyk.
NACP Head emphasised that it is important to involve the public in order to effectively identify and eliminate corruption risks.
Viktor Pavlushchyk reminded everyone that all government agencies need to follow the State Anti-Corruption Programme and stressed that anti-corruption officials should be the first ones to work on reducing risks, especially through the corruption reporting system. Another tool for implementing anti-corruption policy is the Whistleblower Reporting Portal. Using this resource, citizens can confidentially and anonymously report possible cases of corruption that they have observed at their place of work, service or study.
In turn, Vitalii Kim emphasised the importance of a systematic approach to anti-corruption policy and openness in cooperation with NACP.
"Mykolaiv region consistently supports the state's anti-corruption policy. The introduction of e-governance, open registers and transparent procedures all help to reduce corruption risks. We are open to cooperation with NACP and are ready to work together to find effective solutions," said Vitalii Kim. The head of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration also spoke about regional digital tools.
Head of NACP noted the achievements of Mykolaiv, reflected in the Transparency Rating of Cities - 2024 (a programme of the civil society organisation Transparency International Ukraine ‘Transparent Cities’), where the city was among the top ten and became the leader among frontline municipalities.
During the visit, special attention was paid to the importance of communicating the results of anti-corruption efforts.
"Everyone notices and actively discusses corruption, especially when it comes to high-profile cases. However, anti-corruption efforts are rarely communicated. Almost 90% of Ukrainians believe that corruption is one of the biggest problems in the country, although only about 20% admit to having had real experience with corruption. To change this perception, in 2023, NACP developed its first nationwide communication strategy for preventing corruption. We brought together communications specialists from the State Anti-Corruption Programme to speak with one voice about anti-corruption reforms and achievements. At the same time, we are implementing large-scale information campaigns on digitalisation, open data, whistleblowers and other practical tools that reduce the scope for corruption on a daily basis," said Iryna Postova, Deputy Head of the Communications Department of the Communications and Information Policy Directorate.
NACP team also held a working meeting with law enforcement officials in Mykolaiv region to exchange experiences and discuss joint steps in the field of preventing and combating corruption offences. The meeting was attended by the head of the regional prosecutor's office, Ihor Domuschey, representatives of the National Police, the State Bureau of Investigations, the Security Service of Ukraine and others.
‘Cooperation between NACP and law enforcement agencies is a guarantee of the principle of inevitability of punishment. This is a demand of society, which we must implement, and, accordingly, a path to strengthening citizens' trust in the state,’ emphasised NACP Head Viktor Pavlushchyk.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to further strengthen coordination of efforts to improve the effectiveness of anti-corruption activities in the region.
NACP representatives also held information and awareness-raising events for young people and representatives of educational institutions in Mykolaiv, as well as meetings with civil society activists and the regional media.
NACP launched its regional travel project to strengthen cooperation with communities, local authorities, secondary and higher education institutions, journalists, civil society organisations, and to promote integrity through community engagement. Representatives of the Agency have already visited Lviv, Dnipro, Chernivtsi, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, Lutsk, Cherkasy, Khmelnytskyi, Uzhhorod, Kharkiv, Odesa, Rivne, Kropyvnytskyi, Ternopil, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava and Chernihiv.
