ACT Plan: Managing Assessed Corruption Risks in the Field of International Assistance for EU Candidate Countries: Comparative Insights from Ukraine and Moldova
Countries: Ukraine, Moldova Source: Raoul Wallenberg Institute Please refer to the attached file. This policy brief was developed by the participants of the “ACT – Addressing Corruption Together” project, implemented by the Raoul Walenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) in partnership with the Ukrainian Bar Association (UBA) and Action for Justice (A4J) and funded by the Swedish Institute. International assistance has become a critical pillar for supporting reforms, institutional resilience, humanitarian response, and EU integration processes in candidate countries such as Ukraine and Moldova [8][9]. However, the rapid expansion of external funding and emergency support mechanisms also increases exposure to corruption risks, particularly in fragile governance environments and during periods of crisis and accelerated reform. In the context of EU accession efforts, ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective oversight of international assistance is not only a priority of governance but also a strategic requirement for strengthening public trust and aligning with European standards. Both Ukraine and Moldova have undertaken significant anticorruption reforms in recent years, yet challenges persist regarding coordination, risk management, institutional capacity, monitoring mechanisms, and public accountability in the management of international aid and donor-funded programs. This policy brief builds on the outcomes of the ACT Mentorship Program organized by the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, the Ukrainian Bar Association, and Action for Justice. Developed through collaboration between participants from Ukraine and Moldova under the mentorship of Ketevan Bolkvadze, the brief examines assessed corruption risks related to international assistance and identifies comparative lessons, existing gaps, and practical policy recommendations for EU candidate countries. The document aims to develop a substantiated and practically oriented Action Plan to eliminate and/or minimize corruption risks when receiving and managing international aid in Ukraine and Moldova in the outlined areas. The Action Plan contains recommendations based on an analysis of the regulatory framework and factual data, aimed at eliminating and reducing corruption risks while increasing trust in the use of international resources
ReliefWeb•Raoul Wallenberg Institute22 Sept