NABU strengthens the fight against corruption in communities: key tools for 2025
In 2025, the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption (NABU) implemented anti-corruption policy in local state administrations and local self-government bodies, focusing on risk management, development of methodological tools, and coordination with authorized persons. According to the Deputy Head of NABU, Serhiy Hupyak, local self-government bodies are the main budget fund managers of communities, and therefore, they are most vulnerable to corruption risks in various areas, including reconstruction, public procurement, management of communal property, land use, and urban planning.
As part of its activities, NABU conducted regional trips to Kropyvnytskyi, Ternopil, Poltava, Chernihiv, Zaporizhia, Kyiv region, Odesa, and Sumy. In 2025, NABU also resumed the approval of anti-corruption programs for local self-government bodies. One of the key events was the Integrity Forum for Communities 2025, which involved 40 communities, as well as representatives of state authorities and international partners.
Key tools of NABU's anti-corruption activities
Among the main tools that NABU will use in its anti-corruption activities, the following can be highlighted:
- formation of a sustainable risk management system;
- development of methodological tools;
- coordination of the institute of authorized persons.
In particular, tools such as the Sample Anti-Corruption Program, the Sample Register of Corruption Risks for local self-government bodies, and the Methodology for Evaluating the Integrity of Communal Enterprises will be implemented. These steps aim to increase transparency and accountability in the use of budget funds at the local level, which, in turn, will contribute to reducing corruption risks.
NABU's efforts in combating corruption in communities are an important stage in increasing citizens' trust in local authorities and ensuring the effective use of budget funds. The introduced tools and programs can form the basis for creating more transparent and accountable governance at the local level, which is critically important for the development of democratic institutions in Ukraine. The implementation of anti-corruption initiatives at the local level can also serve as an example for other countries facing similar challenges.