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Description
A project called Who is running for our money? Will strengthen the functioning of the anti-page law, a new global anti-corruption tool. The core of the activities will consist in analyzing Slovak practice, strengthening the ability of the civil sector to control the register of company ownership and in the proposal to improve the law with the help of international exchange of experience. The newly created map of the owners of Slovak hotels or restaurants will also bring the topic to citizens in an understandable way, and will allow them to easily get involved in the fight against corruption in person. Transparency of company ownership is an important new part of the anti-corruption fight. Knowing where the money is going helps to disrupt corrupt schemes.
However, the Slovak anti-page law has large gaps. Only three judges have supervision over the law for the entire agenda, although there are already 20,000 companies in the Slovak register. In addition, unlike other countries, Slovakia does not have a public register for all companies - only for those that do large business with the state. About 90% of companies do not make the data on real owners available. The most sustainable of the project solutions will be the amendment of the law on public sector partners, but also the introduction of a better practice of checking the data of the register.
Partners from Norway will check the completeness and transparency of the Norwegian register of business owners, examine data for Slovak entrepreneurs and later present their experiences at a conference in Bratislava. The main benefit of the cooperation is to exchange experiences and skills on how to strengthen public control of the business register.
Summary of project results
The "Komu tečú naše peniaze?" project sought to address critical issues stemming from the absence of effective control mechanisms governing the state''s transactions with the private sector. Recognizing the imperative to fortify the anti-shell legislation, the initiative aimed to empower the public by furnishing comprehensive insights into the ownership structures of entities within the travel industry. By fostering transparency, the project aspired to instill in the public a heightened awareness of the significance of understanding and overseeing the ownership dynamics of travel-related establishments, encouraging them to make more informed and ethical purchasing decisions.
The multifaceted project "Komu tečú naše peniaze?" undertook a series of strategic activities to address pressing issues related to the lack of oversight in the state''s dealings with the private sector and to bolster the efficacy of anti-shell legislation. The primary activities encompassed a meticulous analysis of ownership structures within the travel industry, advocating for legislative enhancements, and actively engaging the civic community in the battle against corruption.
The project''s analytical endeavors were instrumental in creating a comprehensive map that unveiled the intricate ownership fabric of hotels and travel facilities. This map served as a powerful tool, enabling the public to scrutinize and assess the ethical standing of establishments before making travel-related decisions. Simultaneously, the project actively pushed for legislative improvements, submitting proposals to fortify existing anti-shell laws. The engagement of the civic community was a pivotal aspect, involving citizens in the fight against corruption through educational initiatives and surveys gauging public sentiment on the ethics of purchases in the tourism sector.
The tangible outcomes of the project included the aforementioned map, a practical and continuously updated resource that empowered citizens to verify the ethical credentials of travel facilities. Additionally, the project generated substantial feedback on the anti-shell register, providing valuable insights for further legislative refinement. Intangible outcomes comprised heightened public awareness, a strengthened civic resolve against corruption, and the dissemination of knowledge through published blogs and studies on ethical considerations in the travel industry.
The impacts of the "Komu tečú naše peniaze?" project were far-reaching, creating positive changes in transparency, public awareness, and legislative considerations. The primary beneficiaries of the project included the general public, policymakers, and entities within the travel industry. The project achieved outcomes that empowered the public, influenced legislative considerations, and fostered a culture of ethical decision-making. The impacts of the project extended to combating corruption, promoting transparent business practices, and shaping policies that contribute to a more accountable and ethical state-private sector relationship.
The "Komu tečú naše peniaze?" project had diverse beneficiaries. It empowered the general public through a detailed map of ownership structures, enabling informed and ethical spending. Policymakers directly benefited from feedback on the anti-shell register, contributing to refined legislation. The project influenced entities in the travel industry, encouraging ethical practices. Civic engagement against corruption had broader societal impacts, contributing to anti-corruption efforts. Public awareness initiatives, including surveys and blogs, fostered responsible consumer behavior. In summary, the project''s beneficiaries included the public, policymakers, travel industry entities, anti-corruption initiatives, and educational goals. Its aim was to positively impact transparency, accountability, and ethical practices in the state-private sector relationship.
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral cooperation brought significant benefits through the exchange of experiences, skills, and tools to strengthen public oversight of the state''s transactions with the private sector. Notably, the partner country, lacking a public sector partner registry during the project''s implementation, had the opportunity to adopt details from the Slovak registry, understanding its functionality and application possibilities in Norway. The registry allows the public to track the true beneficiaries behind firms involved in public contracts, property sales, or subsidies.Conversely, valuable insights were gained from the partner country on combating money laundering. The Norwegian "red flags" system exposes illicit activities in property transactions, particularly relevant in Oslo, where many properties are owned through tax havens.On the bilateral level, key results include a blog by Transparency International Slovakia (TIS) on real estate trading in Oslo, exploring potential fraud and the housing situation for healthcare workers. Additionally, a meeting with a representative from the Norwegian Ministry of Finance in Oslo led to discussions about the possibilities of implementing an equivalent to the Slovak Register of Public Sector Partners in Norway.While there is currently no agreement on further collaboration, the partners remain open to cooperation, particularly for consultations on improving the registry''s functionality or its potential implementation in Norway.