About the Project
The Southeast Europe-Together Against Corruption II (SEE-TAC II) project builds upon the successes of previous two phases to further strengthen the resilience of Western Balkans societies against corruption and focusing on the Environment and Security sectors. The project aims to enhance the capacity of government institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector, and the media across six Western Balkans jurisdictions: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
SEE-TAC II is to be implemented by the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It is supported by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) through Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and will be implemented from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2027.
Objectives and Approach
SEE-TAC II continues the efforts of previous phases by applying the Corruption Proofing of Legislation (CPL) and Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) mechanisms to two additional sectors: the Environment and Security. The project seeks to deepen regional cooperation on data exchange related to asset disclosures and enhance the implementation of international treaties such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).
The project employs a multi-stakeholder approach, involving governmental institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector, youth and media in the fight against corruption. Key activities include sector-focused development of CRA and CPL tools, regional policy forums, awareness campaigns, and training sessions for various stakeholders.
Expected Outcomes
SEE-TAC II is designed to achieve several key outcomes:
- Outcome 1 – involves a set of measures designed for the Environment and Security sec-tors of high priority to support the relevant authorities to move towards rule-based political and administrative decision-making, by way of implementing the corruption risk assessment and the corruption proofing of legislation mechanisms. These measures provide relevant national authorities with tools and expert assistance in motivating the implementation of CRA and CPL mechanisms.
- Outcome 2 – aims to support regional cooperation in asset disclosure and support jurisdictions in ratification and implementation of the International Treaty on Data Exchange on asset disclosure, in particular, advocate for additional Treaty accession in the region;
- Outcome 3 – aims to enhance capacities, expertise, and involvement of civil society organizations (CSOs), private sector entities, and other relevant stakeholders in implementing UNCAC and UNTOC;
- Outcome 4 – is designed to empower project stakeholders to lead and catalyse change in crime and corruption prevention.
Target Groups
The primary beneficiaries of the SEE-TAC II include representatives from ministries, agencies, and other institutions responsible for oversight and implementation of corruption prevention mechanisms in the six targeted jurisdictions. The project also engages civil society organizations, private sector entities, and the general public to ensure a broad and inclusive approach to anti-corruption efforts.
Strategic Importance
Corruption remains a significant challenge in the Western Balkans, undermining democracy, the rule of law, and economic development. By focusing on vulnerable sectors such as Environment and Security, SEE-TAC II aims to address corruption at its roots, contributing to the region’s stability, governance, and integration into the European Union.
The project’s approach is aligned with regional and international strategies, including the Western Balkans Strategy, 2020 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy,
The ADC’s strategy for the Western Balkans, The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. By fostering regional cooperation and strengthening the capacities of both state and non-state actors, SEE-TAC II aims to create a sustainable impact in the fight against corruption.
Partners and Collaboration
SEE-TAC II benefits from the strong partnership between RAI and UNODC, as well as collaborations with regional and international organizations, including the SELDI network, the UNCAC Coalition, and the Global Initiative against Organized Crime. These partnerships ensure that the project leverages the best available expertise and resources while avoiding duplication of efforts and maximizing impact.