The newly elected EPAC/EACN Board met in a virtual format for its first official Board meeting on 23 March 2022. During meeting the Board adopted its Work Programme for 2022/2023 and launched three task forces to further assist activities of EPAC/EACN.
Adopted EPAC/EACN Work Programme 2022/2023 sets out priorities for EPAC/EACN Board during its two-year tenure and proposes key activities that will help EPAC/EACN members and observers to learn from each other and act together to further preventing and combating corruption phenomena in Europe.
The Work Programme is organised along three main thematic clusters:
- Transfer of knowledge – exchange of expertise and best practices shall be further strengthened to ensure independence, trust and professionalism of EPAC/EACN members for reducing corruption and delivering high-quality services to citizens and societies in their respective countries. This will be achieved through series of dedicated webinars, study visits and joint training sessions for all EPAC/EACN members, as well as other interested parties.
- Analysis and advice – promoting analytical activity for evidence-based decision-making in the area of anti-corruption and police oversight will be one of the key objectives for the upcoming period. Advancing on Big Data analytics, promoting the use of open data, establishing corruption trends and risks, measuring performance, setting of professional standards, providing policy advice and consultations will continue to be among priority areas for EPAC/EACN work.
- Visibility and partnerships – greater EPAC/EACN international awareness and coordination with other major actors in the area of anti-corruption and police oversight. This will be ensured through improving internal and external communication channels, employing social media, establishing and/or strengthening cooperation with EU institutions, major international organisations, other anti-corruption and police oversight professional networks.
The Work Programme (attached to this press release) also includes a list of key activities, foreseen deliverables, timeline and actors responsible for implementing activities.
“I am very happy that all EPAC/EACN Board members are sharing the view that it is important to further strengthen cooperation and exchange of best practices between EPAC/EACN members and observers,” said Žydrūnas BARTKUS, EPAC/EACN President and Director of Lithuanian STT. “Adopted Work Programme is an ambitious, but important tool that paves a way for our future work and seeks to bring benefit to each and every EPAC/EACN member organisation.”
The Programme will remain a living document, which can be adjusted according to the priorities of the EPAC/EACN Board or a changing situation in the European anti-corruption landscape.
In addition, the Board approved setting up these three task forces:
- Task force for Analysis and Policy Advice (APA) – to conduct analysis and assist EPAC/EACN Board in providing, where appropriate, an opinion or advice on behalf EPAC/EACN on important policy questions or to public consultations.
- Task force for Training and Transfer of Knowledge (TTK) – to plan and conduct dedicated webinars for EPAC/EACN community on relevant topics on anti-corruption and police oversight;
- Task force for Developing and Implementing Project Activities (DIPA) – to initiate and develop project activities to further support exchange of expertise and sharing best practices between EPAC/EACN members and observers.
It was agreed that activities of each task force will be coordinated by an EPAC/EACN Board member and that each task force shall be open to any volunteering persons from whole EPAC/EACN community. The task force members will use existing online communication tools to coordinate their work, to set up its own work priorities and plans.
Special Investigation Service (STT) of the Republic of Lithuania, which is jointly sharing the role of EPAC/EACN Secretariat with the Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption (BAK) of the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior, has already proposed volunteering experts to support activities of the task forces.
EPAC/EACN Members and observers willing to propose their candidates to the abovementioned task forces, are kindly requested to contact EPAC/EACN Secretariat. More details will be distributed via email by the Secretariat.
Next EPAC/EACN Board meeting will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 10 May 2022.
Download: EPAC/EACN Work Programme 2022/2023
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