Ukrainian youth engaged in raising awareness of and combating corruption with EU and UNDP support

With support of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) joined forces to engage and inspire youth to take a more active role in combating corruption. As part of the initiative, which was also supported by the European Union, 76 students and cadets took part in three anti-corruption training and brainstorming sessions over the course of two weeks, learning about corruption issues and the tools available to prevent it.

Students from Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, Luhansk State University of Internal Affairs, Eastern Ukrainian National University, Luhansk National University and Donetsk National University took part in the activities, which were held in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytsk Oblast, on 13-14 October 2022, and Vinnytsia, on 21 October 2022.

The students also studied the UN Convention against Corruption, which aims to encourage and strengthen measures for more effective prevention and fight against corruption, promote, facilitate and support international cooperation and available technical assistance to prevent crime, and promote integrity, accountability and good governance.

Xavier Camus, acting Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine, said corruption poses a significant threat to sustainable development, increasing poverty and inequality. “Corruption destroys trust between citizens and the state, which is critical for development,” he said. “Reducing the risks of mismanagement and corruption requires the involvement of anti-corruption bodies, more open and transparent public procurement, and increased compliance with anti-corruption requirements by the private sector. Therefore, we must continue to support educational programmes and information campaigns to form a culture of integrity with zero tolerance for corruption.”

Manal Fouani, interim UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasised that UNDP supports national partners and society, especially young people, to equip them with the knowledge necessary to fight corruption, implement effective and coordinated policies, and increase transparency and integrity. “Ukraine’s recovery after the war will require considerable efforts in all areas,” she said. “One of the priorities to achieve an inclusive recovery is to put in place the mechanisms to tackle corruption. Youth can play an important role in achieving transparency and accountability.”

Victoria Ivashyniuta, Head of the Open Office of the National Bureau said it is encouraging to see so many young people take an active role in promoting integrity in Ukraine’s public and private sectors. “Students are following the progress of the anti-corruption reform in Ukraine and the work of the National Bureau,” she said. “I am convinced that young people today who share anti-corruption values will be able to build a European Ukraine in the very near future.”

The events were organised by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine with the support of UNDP within the UN Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme with the financial support of the European Union.