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Description
Project “Transparency watchdogs: road to accountable decisions in national and regional governments” aims to raise public awareness of how corruption and the lack of transparency hinder democratic development and to encourage the public to demand transparency and accountability from decision-makers.
Transparency International Latvia/Delna (TI Latvia) will implement activities aimed at promoting lobbying transparency in Latvia and providing objective data and information to different groups in society about the scope, forms and prevention possibilities of corruption. TI Latvia will empower civil society organizations at national and regional level to engage in decision making process and demand accountability and transparency from the decision makers.
TI Latvia will coordinate involvement of national and regional level organizations in advocacy of anti-corruption legislation and policies (e.g. incorporating their positions in the work of KNAB’s Public Advisory Council and Saeima’s commissions). Russian speaking and deaf Latvian citizens will be engaged in targeted activities to promote their participation. By piloting “Youth Delna” TI Latvia will promote sustainable youth education and engagement in civic anti-corruption activities, providing support and possibilities for engagement (e.g. by involving them in delivering peer-to-peer education in Latvia’s schools).
The project activities will strengthen the democratic development by improving anti-corruption and transparency regulation in Latvia, strengthening the anti-corruption community, promoting intolerance of corruption and empowering citizens to take action against it.
Summary of project results
High corruption levels and economic impact. Corruption was recognized as a significant problem, costing Latvia €3–5 billion annually. The Corruption Perceptions Index showed a decline in Latvia’s score, positioning the country behind neighboring Lithuania and Estonia. These trends posed risks to national security and public trust in governance.
Low public engagement and awareness. Although a majority of the population viewed corruption as widespread, reporting levels were critically low at only 3%. This lack of engagement underscored limited public awareness of anti-corruption tools and insufficient involvement in accountability processes.
Lobbying transparency challenges. The term “lobbying” was often perceived negatively, and resistance to transparency regulations was expected from some societal groups. Ensuring equitable access to decision-makers and building public support for lobbying reforms were seen as essential.
Insufficient outreach to underrepresented groups. Groups such as the deaf and Russian-speaking communities were not adequately reached by existing anti-corruption initiatives. Targeted materials and strategies were required to address their needs and ensure their inclusion.
Need for internal capacity building. The promoting organization (Delna) required enhanced expertise and integration into international anti-corruption networks. Financial sustainability and improved operational flexibility were also identified as critical for advancing its mission.
Limited regional and youth engagement. Civil society organizations in the regions and younger populations lacked consistent involvement in anti-corruption efforts. New engagement models and strategic regional visits were needed to strengthen local demand for transparent governance.
The following are the main activities carried out as part of the project
1. Research on lobbying perceptions and practices. Delna conducted a study on the public’s understanding of lobbying, aiming to influence the regulation of lobbying in Latvia. The research involved an online survey with 32 questions, receiving 142 responses from various sectors, including NGOs (96 responses), business associations, professional lobbyists, and public relations agencies. Additionally, three focus groups were organized in different regions, and 20 interviews were conducted with decision-makers. The results provided valuable insights, which will be used in ongoing discussions about lobbying transparency regulation in the Saeima.
2. Raising awareness of ethical lobbying. Delna initiated an awareness campaign on transparent and ethical lobbying, targeting the public, NGOs, and decision-makers. The campaign included two public discussions before the 2021 municipal elections, focusing on the interaction between local governments and interest groups. Also several public opinion articles wer published (e.g. "Delna urges not to delay the implementation of the transparency of interest representation law"), along with the production of three informational videos and a podcast explaining the new lobbying transparency law, which was published on the audio streaming platform "Spotify" at the end of 2023. These activities contributed to promoting an open and fair lobbying environment in municipal governance.
3. Anti-corruption awareness campaign. Delna conducted an awareness campaign on anti-corruption initiatives, particularly highlighting political and public sector issues such as the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on corruption risks in healthcare. Regular updates and annual TOP of anti-corruption events were published, with a focus on national and local issues, reinforcing public understanding of corruption risks.
4. Publishing anti-corruption statistics. Delna analyzed and published updated corruption statistics to provide NGOs with reliable data on corruption levels in Latvia. This data was crucial for both public advocacy and decision-makers, and included insights from the Corruption Perceptions Index. Delna’s work included discussions with experts and the publication of opinion articles based on these findings, contributing to the public debate on reducing corruption.
5. NGO involvement in work of Corruption revention and Combating Bureau. Delna actively participated in the work of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB), attending advisory board meetings and contributing to discussions on public data access, corruption prevention measures, and anti-corruption planning. Among other activities, Delna provided feedback and suggestions during public consultations on KNAB’s 2021–2025 anti-corruption action plan.
6. Advocacy activities. Delna monitored and participated in Saeima committee meetings, particularly focusing on proposed amendments to laws on anti-money laundering and corruption prevention. Delna’s involvement led to the submission of proposals and feedback on various legislative initiatives, including the development of the lobbying transparency law and the Whistleblower Protection Law. Delna’s recommendations influenced eight key laws, including the Political Party Funding Law and the Local Government Law.
7. Youth engagement in anti-corruption initiatives. Delna developed a training program to engage young people in anti-corruption and transparency initiatives. The program focused on educating youth about local government operations, EU fund usage, and anti-corruption risks in healthcare. Through open calls, 22 motivated young people participated in the program, and the most dedicated participants were involved in delivering anti-corruption lessons in schools across Latvia.
8. Pre-election campaign. Before the 14th Saeima elections, Delna conducted a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of lobbying transparency and its impact on the political process. This campaign was aligned with Delna’s broader efforts to advocate for anti-corruption reforms.
9. Strategic anti-corruption seminars. Delna organized annual strategic seminars with other NGOs, academics, and anti-corruption experts. These seminars addressed current issues in corruption, transparency, and civic participation, fostering collaboration and sharing of best practices for combating corruption.
10. Regional workshops on local government engagement. Delna held regional workshops to educate NGOs and the public on ethical lobbying practices and their role in local government decision-making. Participants received training on monitoring local government activities, based on the Public Participation Law. Delna also created a manual for effective lobbying at the local and national levels. These workshops aimed to strengthen the capacity of local communities to engage in decision-making processes effectively.
11. Additional capacity-building activities. As part of its ongoing efforts, Delna ran different fundraising campaigns and maintained its membership in the Transparency International network to enhance its capacity to fight corruption.
The activities planned in the project were successfully carried out, and several were even exceeded. Delna primarily supported participatory activities in the development of policy documents, and the number of impacted laws and policy areas increased (a total of 11 documents). Notably, since the project''s launch, Delna participated in the development of several significant laws for Latvia, including the Local Government Law, the Whistleblower Protection Law, and the Transparency of Interest Representation Law. Additionally, Delna educated the public about the objectives, scope, and impact of these laws in the fight against corruption. Delna also proposed amendments to several existing laws, such as the "Prevention of Conflicts of Interest in the Activities of State Officials Law" and the Political Parties Financing Law. Delna''s recommendations were based on the annual Corruption Perceptions Index results from the international anti-corruption organization Transparency International, offering analysis and recommendations to members of parliament, municipal deputies, decision-makers, and law enforcement agencies.
Approximately 1,324 residents of Latvia from various age groups, civil society organizations, the business sector, as well as decision-makers and public sector employees, were involved in the project activities. Of these, 22 were young people – graduates of the "Youth Delna" training, who, after completing anti-corruption and democracy education, visited schools in Latvia and, using a "youth-to-youth" approach, shared insights with their peers on how to curb corruption and promote the welfare of the state through civic engagement. To inform the public about current issues in anti-corruption and good governance, Delna staff provided around 70 comments to national and regional media outlets, published numerous posts (including press releases and opinion pieces) on Delna''s social media and website.
The project aimed to raise public awareness of how corruption and a lack of transparency hinder the development of democracy and engage the public in demanding transparency and accountability from decision-makers. To achieve this, at the beginning of the project, Delna conducted research and published a study, "Developing Lobbying Regulations in Latvia" (2021). At the end of the project, Delna published a handbook, "How to Represent Your Interests at the National and Local Levels," and informational materials for civil society organizations, including those representing less protected social groups, on how to lobby and engage in national and municipal decision-making and oversight.
In the long term, Delna''s impact has been evident in the influence exerted on a number of policy documents and laws (see answer to question 3.1). Additionally, Delna has educated a broader segment of society on good governance and anti-corruption topics, encouraging active participation in preventing potential dishonesty. The unique number of participants in the activities was 1,324, with regular comments provided to major Latvian media outlets and updates shared on Delna''s social media platforms.
Delna has also revitalized civic participation in municipalities, explaining to residents the tools available for participation: collective petitions, residents'' councils, participatory budgeting, public consultations, and local referendums – when to use these tools and what feedback to expect from the municipality. Informational materials, such as the handbook "How to Represent Your Interests at the National and Local Levels," were also created. This handbook clarifies the Transparency of Interest Representation Law and provides guidance on using formal public participation tools at the municipal level (such as joining advisory councils and committees, submitting collective petitions, residents'' councils, participatory budgeting, and public consultations).
The impact of the project will continue to grow in the long term, as the materials created by Delna will be used in further work, and they are freely available for the public. The need for these materials remains, and they can contribute to the implementation of the Transparency of Interest Representation Law and civic participation in municipalities.