Anti-Corruption and Ethics

Building capacity for those who need it most, power of the people, learning by doing, and acting globally and locally – those are the ways we have chosen to fight corruption.

Anti-corruption has always been ACER’s field of interest due to its key role to the further development of the country. ACER works in close collaboration with the public and private sectors as well as civil society to support efforts to prevent corruption, improve remedies to address wrongdoing when it occurs, as well as work towards improving behaviours, norms, and standards needed to sustain anti-corruption efforts.

Ongoing Projects

Regional Project “Implementing Good governance Priciples in Public- Private Partnership Governance Public-Private Partnership Projects” (Go PPP)

The project entitled: “Regional Project “Implementing Good governance Priciples in Public- Private Partnership Governance Public-Private Partnership Projects” (Go PPP)” InTER started the implementation of the project: “Implementing Good Governance Principles in Public-Private Partnership Projects (GO PPP)” in cooperation with the following partners from the region: Institute for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (IPER) from Montenegro and […]

Increased government accountability through a more responsive parliament

About the project Increased government accountability through a more responsive parliament project is funded by the British Embassy in Tirana and supported by the Westminister Foundation for Democracy. he goal of the project is to support the parliament to effectively exercises its roles to challenge corruption, undue influence, and political interference in democratic processes. The [...]

Civil Society for Good Governance and Anti-Corruption in Southeast Europe: Capacity Building for Evidence-Based Advocacy, Policy Impact and Citizen Engagement (SELDI.net)

Civil Society for Good Governance and Anti-Corruption in Southeast Europe: Capacity Building for Evidence-Based Advocacy, Policy Impact and Citizen Engagement (SELDI.net) This project has been prepared by the SELDI Network on the basis of findings of the external evaluation of the current SELDI phase for the period 2018-2020 and the Report from the Result Oriented [...]

Period	Donnor	Name of the Project	Summary
Dec 2022 - May 2023	Western Balkan Fund	Promoting Collaboration Between Civil Society Actors in the Fight Against Corruption	This project involves conducting an anti-corruption survey to assess issues like the causes and extent of corruption at the local level, citizens' perceptions of public services, and their recommendations for improvement in selected municipalities. Civil society organizations view building integrity in local government as vital for promoting a culture of legality. The project aims to foster knowledge exchange and discussions on institutional integrity to boost regional cooperation in combating corruption. Additionally, it strengthens civil society's role in advocating for good governance through evidence-based efforts, policy monitoring, and dialogue with local governments.
June - Sep 2022	NED/Supported by CSD, Bulgaria	Sharp Power and State Capture in South East Europe: Tackling the Interlocking Nexus of Russian and Chinese Disinformation and Illicit Finance Flows (Case of Albania)	This project addresses Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics, including media manipulation and illicit financial flows, which undermine democracy in Europe. The EU has responded by supporting Ukraine and imposing sanctions, but Southeast Europe remains vulnerable to Russian influence. Countries like Serbia and Bulgaria continue to face challenges, and the EU is urged to strengthen its security and democratization efforts in the region to counter authoritarian interference.
May 2018 – Nov 2022	EU/MCIC, North Macedonia	SELDI - Civil Society for Good Governance and Anti-Corruption in Southeast Europe: Capacity Building for Monitoring, Advocacy and Awareness Raising	The project’s builds on SELDI’s excellence for networking, diagnostics and advocacy in anti-corruption and good governance in the Western Balkans as well as its members’ national and regional reputation. The Actions seeks to strengthen participatory democracy and the EU approximation process through consolidating and enhancing the impact of civil society engagement in the policy making and reform processes in the Western Balkan region in the area of anti-corruption, the rule of law and good governance.
June 2020 - March 2021	Mary Ward Loreto Foundation	Causes about Un-Ethical and Corruption Behaviours in Education System in Albania	The purpose of this study was to reveal the perception of the causes that promote unethical and corrupt behaviors in the Albanian education system. The first research question raised in this study was why a person would do what he does, even though he knows it is unethical and/or corrupt. The second research question raised in this study refers to what is the perceived reason that any service provider within the education system in Albania is recognized as a favor, rather than a human right. The last research question that has been raised in this study is what are the perceived causes for accepted cultural norms being the tool for unethical and corrupt behavior.
Oct 2019 - Mar 2020	CSD, Bulgaria	Understanding and Responding to Foreign Malign Influence: Tackling Kremlin’s Media Capture Tactics in Southeast Europe (Case of Albania)	The report explores the scope, means and reach of Russia’s sharp power influence through the phenomenon of media capture in Southeast Europe, including EU members Bulgaria and Croatia as well as EU aspirants Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo. The comparative assessment uncovers the instruments, channels and narratives of Russian disinformation, the impact of Kremlin messaging on societal perceptions and the increasing overlap of influence tactics between Russia and other authoritarian states operating in the Balkans, particularly China.
May – Sep 2016	Mary Ward Loreto Foundation	Ethics in Albanian education system	The Mary Ward Loreto Foundation has chosen the field of Education as their focus to work for systemic change in Albania. The main goal of the survey on Ethics and Corruption on the Education system in Albania, was the identification of problems such as corruption in the education system, the need for improvement of the curricula, teacher competence, and the role and influence of parents in the education system. The survey targeted kindergartens, basic education schools, high schools, and faculties in Albania. In particular, this survey collected data addressing 3 categories: students, parents, and teachers in 4 levels: kindergartens, basic education, high school, and university.
May 2014 – June 2016	EU/MCIC, North Macedonia	SELDI - Civil Society for Good Governance and Anti-Corruption in Southeast Europe: Capacity Building for Monitoring, Advocacy and Awareness Raising	This project, built on SELDI’s expertise in anti-corruption and good governance, aims to strengthen participatory democracy and support the EU approximation process in the Western Balkans. It focuses on enhancing civil society’s role in policy-making and reforms related to anti-corruption, the rule of law, and governance. The project will bolster CSO capacities for improved regional cooperation and decision-making in anti-corruption efforts. It also strives to mobilize citizens and grassroots movements to advocate for continued anti-corruption reforms. Lastly, it seeks to foster regional cooperation and synergies to tackle political and judicial corruption effectively.
March - April 2014	Mary Ward Loreto Foundation	Pilot Study: Ethic And Corruption On The Albanian Education System	The Education Project addresses ethical behavior issues within the Albanian education system, identified in a 2015 pilot study. It aims to strengthen the system by using this report as a baseline for future grassroots and policy-level interventions. The project was guided by the Board of Education of MW Foundation, with contributions from experts in the field. Key contributors include educators and researchers such as Prof. Dr. Shpresa Delia and Stephen Corryelle, who helped shape the methodology. The project also benefits from the involvement of several professionals, including Alfred Matoshi and Fatmir Gjoni, who provided expertise and support.
2012-2014	EU/CSD, Bulgaria	Seldi Coalition: Good Governance And Anti-Corruption In Southeast Europe (Second Phase)	This project, built on SELDI’s expertise in anti-corruption and good governance, aims to strengthen participatory democracy and support the EU approximation process in the Western Balkans. It focuses on enhancing civil society’s role in policy-making and reforms related to anti-corruption, the rule of law, and governance. The project will bolster CSO capacities for improved regional cooperation and decision-making in anti-corruption efforts. It also strives to mobilize citizens and grassroots movements to advocate for continued anti-corruption reforms. Lastly, it seeks to foster regional cooperation and synergies to tackle political and judicial corruption effectively.
2006	Kosovo Foundation for Open Society and the UNDP Office in Kosovo	The Establishment Of Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency	The project aimed to establish the Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency to combat corruption by promoting transparency and accountability in public administration. This agency focuses on preventing, detecting, and investigating corruption, enhancing the legal framework, and collaborating with national and international partners to strengthen anti-corruption efforts in Kosovo.
2003	Open Society Foundation	From The Ground Up: Assessing The Record Of Anticorruption Assistance In Southeastern Europe (case of Albania	This report evaluates the effectiveness of five years of anti-corruption initiatives in Southeastern Europe, based on case studies from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Macedonia. It finds that while public awareness campaigns raised demand for reform, they failed to offer sustainable solutions. The report criticizes the donor community for not meeting expectations, emphasizing the short-term nature of many projects. It recommends shifting focus to constituency-driven reforms aligned with political processes and citizens' needs for lasting change.
2001	Vitosha Research/USAID	SELDI: Regional Corruption Monitoring in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, and Yugoslavia	The Southeast European Legal Development Initiative (SELDI) was launched in late 1998. It was initiated by the Center for the Study of Democracy and the International Legal Development Institute, Rome. The Southeast European Legal Development Initiative brings together the efforts of various government organizations and experts from different countries of Southeast Europe. It creates opportunities for cooperation between the most active public institutions and public figures, the governments, and international agencies in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, and Yugoslavia. Conducting the Regional Monitoring of Corruption is an essential part of SELDI activity. The present report outlines the chief findings of the Regional Monitoring of Corruption based on two independent representative surveys conducted in February 2001 and February 2002. Opinion polls were administered in seven countries of Southeast Europe: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, and Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). The methodology was based on the Corruption Monitoring System of Coalition 2000. The main goal of the analysis is to demonstrate the public significance of the problem of corruption and the degree of penetration of this phenomenon in the various social structures, institutions, and groups, both on a comparative level, among the individual countries in the Balkan Peninsula, and in terms of their dynamics. .
2000	CIPE	Corruption Informal Activity And Cross-Border Trading. Impacts On Democratic Developments	This case study analyzes surveys of formal enterprises by ACER, along with insights from customs officials and trade experts. ACER thanks its collaborators, the Center for International Private Enterprise, and Prof. Tomas Mroczkowski for their contributions. The analysis is part of ongoing research, and feedback is welcome before finalizing the report.
1998-1999	SOROS Foundation & USAID	Anti-Corruption Initiative	The project aimed to strengthen anti-corruption efforts by supporting the development of policies, enhancing institutional capacity, and promoting transparency and accountability in government processes. Through targeted interventions, the initiative seeked to reduce corruption and improve governance in the region.
Jan - Nov 1998	USAID/ WB & EBRD	Albania Anti-Corruption Initiative: Business Environment and enterprise performance survey/BEEPS	The Albania Anti-Corruption Initiative: Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS) analyzes the impact of corruption on business operations in Albania. The survey assesses the challenges faced by enterprises, focusing on how corruption affects performance and the overall business environment, with the goal of informing policies to improve transparency and reduce corrupt practices.
Mar - Sep 1997	EC Delegation	Albanians, Corruption as a Challenge to be Faced	This project delves into the pervasive issue of corruption in Albania, highlighting its impact on society, governance, and economic development. The project examines how corruption hinders progress, fosters inequality, and erodes public trust, while emphasizing the urgent need for systemic reforms and active civic engagement to overcome this challenge and build a more transparent future for the country.