A Year of Implementation of Anti-Corruption Programs for the Agency for Restoration: Successes, Challenges and Perspectives

The representatives of the Agency for Restorations’ regional offices (RORs) gathered in Kyiv to discuss the results of implementing anti-corruption programs over the past year. The event supported by the EUACI brought together heads, deputies, and anti-corruption officers from 22 regional offices.

“When we talk about reconstruction, we often focus on visible outcomes; roads built, infrastructure restored, and facilities reopened. But what often goes unnoticed is the foundation that makes it all possible – the design, project documentation, procurement, contracts, the construction process. And at each stage we see risks. Corruption risks, other  risks. And this is where the anti-corruption program is important and anti-corruption officers in Regional Offices play a vital role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity of reconstruction.” emphasized Allan Pagh Kristensen, Head of the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI). 

During the event, the EUACI presented an analysis of measures to mitigate risks within the RORs over the past year.

According to the quantitative results, the average implementation rate of planned measures stands at 69%. Notably, 11 RORs achieved an implementation rate exceeding 70%.

“Trust from donors and the international community is the foundation of effective recovery. We must continue developing policies and procedures that build this trust. While progress has been made, much work still stands ahead,” highlighted Serhiy Sukhomlyn, Head of the Agency for Restoration.

During the discussion panels, the anti-corruption officers of the RORs shared successful cases of implementing anti-corruption programmes and discussed current challenges in implementing specific measures.

Team Lead Taras Sluchyk presented plans for EUACI’s cooperation with the Agency for Restoration for  2025. The main priorities remain minimizing corruption risks in public procurement and developing anti-corruption policies. Among the new activities are: 

• the development of Digital Risk Management, Monitoring, and Efficiency Evaluation System for Procurements;
• establishing process standardization and accountability in technical supervision;
•  conducting long-term management training for the leadership of the RORs and the Agency.

Earlier in September 2023, 22 Regional Infrastructure Restoration and Development Services approved Anti-Corruption Programs and Risk Registers. The drafts were developed with the support of the EUACI. In June 2024, the second (interim) reporting took place.