On the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day (9 December), Congress Spokesperson on Ethics and Prevention of Corruption Danela Arsovska (North Macedonia, EPP/CCE) has made the following statement:

“Corruption undermines governance at all levels, but it is at the local level that its impact is most directly felt by people. It is also at this level that we must decisively foster transparency and accountability if we want to regain public trust in our democratic institutions.

“We can only succeed if young people are mobilised for integrity. We need to invest in them and empower them. In the Congress a generation of young leaders have emerged. Their voice helps to break with practices of favouritism, nepotism and vested interests, which endanger our democracies.

“The Congress has championed good governance and prevention of corruption at local and regional levels for decades, in particular through the monitoring of the European Charter of Local Self-Government, promotion of public ethics, transparency, open government and civic participation.

“Now that the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) of the Council of Europe is about to start the monitoring of anti-corruption at the subnational level in 2025, the synergy and partnership between the Congress and GRECO are essential to progress with integrity and preventing corruption at local and regional levels across Europe. In this context the Congress will actively support the involvement of youth and civil society in the anti-corruption efforts.”

https://www.coe.int/en/web/congress/-/international-anti-corruption-day-2024-local-authorities-uniting-with-youth-against-corruption