Restoring Integrity: Shifting Power to Tackle Corruption
In many parts of the world today, corruption doesn't manifest as a dramatic scandal or a headline-grabbing case. It appears in subtler forms. It could be a nurse requesting a “gift” before admitting a woman in labor or a contractor winning public tenders due to personal connections rather than the quality of their work. It might also be a teacher whose classroom lacks necessary books, while public funds disappear into obscure channels.
Corruption has become so ingrained in daily life that it often feels like a parallel system with its own rules, logic and gatekeepers. It thrives when public trust erodes, when institutions serve the interests of politicians or private individuals instead of the people, and when fairness and justice are compromised behind closed doors.
This issue extends beyond just a few “bad apples.” It reflects a power dynamic that remains unchallenged, decisions made without transparency, and systems that leave ordinary people feeling invisible and voiceless. When corruption becomes the prevalent way of conducting affairs, it undermines democracy, dignity and the belief that the state is working for the common good.
What corruption really costs us
It is common to view corruption in abstract ways, such as through statistics in reports, its impact on GDP, or the involvement of politicians in scandals. Those issues often feel distant from our daily lives, but the actual cost of corruption is an everyday experience.
Consider the child who misses out on a proper education because school funds were misused. Think of the patient who cannot afford treatment and leaves without receiving it. Reflect on the young person who gives up on public service or activism because they believe the system is rigged against them. Corruption erodes trust, leading people to stop thinking that fairness exists.
The global financial loss due to corruption is staggering, with trillions of dollars drained from essential sectors such as health, education, infrastructure and livelihoods. Yet perhaps even more damaging is how corruption robs individuals of hope. It sends a message that effort doesn’t matter, that rights can be compromised, and that meaningful change is unattainable.
The impact of corruption extends beyond individuals; entire societies also suffer. Investment dwindles, public services deteriorate, and the environment is exploited due to unchecked deals. Power becomes increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, pushing the majority to the margins.
Fighting corruption is therefore not just about eliminating fraud or closing legal loopholes — it is also about promoting transparency and accountability. It’s about restoring trust, rebuilding fairness and ensuring that public power serves the public interest.
Tackling corruption by shifting power
Helvetas understands that corruption is not merely a technical issue or a matter of missing policies. It is a fundamental problem that flourishes in environments where power remains unchecked, where individuals are excluded from decisions impacting their lives, and where silence is often safer than voicing concerns.
This perspective is why Helvetas’ work goes beyond simply following compliance checklists or utilizing toolkits. We aim to change the systems that enable corruption to take root. Whether it's a healthcare worker soliciting a bribe or a bureaucrat obstructing services to protect their network, the underlying set of issues to address are always the same: Who holds power? Who is marginalized? What will it take to create a fairer balance?
Our approach to corruption in Eastern Europe is based on interconnected strategies, each influenced by the realities of people's lives and the political contexts that shape them.
Understanding Power: Working with institutions, not around them
To address corruption issues effectively, it's crucial to understand them fully. This is why Helvetas analyzes the power dynamics that enable and sustain corruption, by closely examining its root causes, understanding who benefits from the current situation, who is excluded, and which strategies can drive lasting change.
A prominent case in Albania’s recent history is the “Incinerators Scandal.” This scandal underscored significant issues of corruption within public waste management systems. In response, Helvetas established a partnership with local governments to enhance transparent and accountable waste management services. Although the initiative may appear to be a purely technical intervention, it was considerably more nuanced, since Helvetas helped to analyze the actors who profited from the existing dysfunction, their incentives to pursue change in policies, and promoted citizens' initiatives that could hold these officials accountable.
Additionally, through the Waste Management and Strong Municipalities project, Helvetas supported municipalities in implementing better data systems, clarifying service costs and tariffs, and tracking performance more transparently. Just as importantly, the initiative ensured that civil society and the private sector had a seat at the table — making the reform not just a top-down fix, but a process genuinely grounded in public accountability.
Civic Engagement: Reclaiming space for citizens to speak and act
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, women have been quietly enduring a particular form of corruption: being pressured to make under-the-table payments during childbirth. This issue rarely receives media attention, yet it highlights how corruption affects some of the most intimate and vulnerable moments in people's lives.
The Helvetas-supported PRAGG civil society initiatives began by listening to the community rather than imposing ready-made solutions. Women shared their stories, communities mobilized, and civil society took action to highlight the issues and advocate for change through media campaigns, reporting platforms and legal support.
The aim of these actions was not just to reduce bribery; it was also about restoring dignity, rebuilding trust and demonstrating the importance of civil society organizations in addressing issues of corruption and its various costs. In a context where under-the-table payments during childbirth are normalized, these efforts highlight the relevance of civil society in combating corruption.
Collective Action: Building alliances that bridge divides
Corruption perpetuates itself through networks characterized by silence, complicity and mutual benefit. To effectively combat this issue, it is crucial to establish counter-networks: alliances that bring together individuals who, despite potential differences in opinion, share a commitment to advocate for integrity, accountability and transparency.
This collaborative effort was exemplified in Moldova through the support of Helvetas in facilitating private-sector engagement. Small enterprises were struggling under the weight of arbitrary regulations and costly informal workarounds. Rather than attributing the problem solely to individual officials, the reform initiative adopted a broader perspective. It streamlined regulations, removed bureaucratic impediments and ensured that systems operate efficiently for all stakeholders, not just those with privileged connections.
The primary factor contributing to the project's success was the robust coalition that supported it. Government officials, leaders of business associations and representatives from various civil society organizations united to join their interests and advocate for a comprehensive deregulation package. This collective approach has led to significant economic advancement for Moldova and has demonstrated that when diverse stakeholders collaborate around a shared commitment to integrity, substantial progress is achievable. This is what collective action looks like in practice.
Equity and Justice: Addressing corruption as a source of structural injustice
Corruption does not affect everyone equally. It often affects those with the least power, particularly women, youth and marginalized communities. This is why Helvetas places gender and social equity at the core of its work.
When women are asked to pay bribes for maternal care, it is not only a “petty” corruption, but also a violation of their rights, safety and bodily autonomy. By focusing on these lived experiences, Helvetas redefines what accountability means. We ensure that anti-corruption efforts become a public good in a way that benefits everyone without excluding anyone.
Equity also involves visibility, ensuring that those historically excluded from governance have genuine access to decision-making, redress and leadership opportunities. By designing solutions with and for those most affected, we achieve impact that is more substantial and fair.
A power shift, not just a policy fix
At the core of all these corruption efforts is the need to shift power. We must move away from secrecy, impunity and elite control and move toward inclusive systems where citizens can question decisions, institutions can be held accountable, and transparency is embedded into policymaking.
Achieving this is not easy. It requires time, trust and a willingness to navigate complex realities. However, real change occurs when governance is not something done to people but rather something built collaboratively with them.
Helvetas is dedicated to supporting this shift through policy, advocacy, partnership and engagement with public and private sectors, civil society actors and communities.
This blog is a follow-up to the webinar “Bridging the Gap: Anti-Corruption Advocacy in Practice – From International Frameworks to National Impact,” organized by the Helvetas Regional Advocacy Network in collaboration with Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation-funded projects in the Western Balkans and Moldova.
