The NGO “Carpathian Sea Democracy Week” is committed to conducting its operations with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability. We recognize that corruption undermines democratic principles, erodes public trust, and hinders sustainable development. This policy outlines our approach to preventing, detecting, and responding to corruption within our organization and during our annual democratic week events in Ukraine.

Definitions:

• Corruption: Abuse of entrusted power for private gain, including but not limited to bribery, embezzlement, trading in influence, abuse of functions, and illicit enrichment.
• Bribery: Offering, promising, giving, accepting, or soliciting an undue advantage of any value to influence the actions or decisions of another party.

Principles:

• Zero-Tolerance: We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of corruption, bribery, or unethical conduct within our organization and during our events.
• Transparency: We are committed to operating with transparency and promoting open and honest communication about our activities, finances, and decision-making processes.
• Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable for our actions and decisions, and we are willing to address any concerns or allegations of corruption promptly and impartially.
• Integrity: We uphold the highest standards of integrity in all our operations, interactions, and relationships, and we expect the same from our partners, vendors, and stakeholders.

Anti-Corruption Measures:

• Risk Assessment: We will regularly assess the potential risks of corruption within our organization and during our events, and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Conflict of Interest Management: We will establish mechanisms to identify, disclose, and manage potential conflicts of interest among our staff, board members, and volunteers.
• Internal Controls: We will maintain robust internal controls, including financial controls, procurement processes, and record-keeping systems, to prevent and detect corruption.
• Whistleblower Protection: We will provide a safe and confidential reporting mechanism for individuals to report suspected cases of corruption, and we will protect whistleblowers from retaliation.
• Training and Awareness: We will provide regular training and awareness programs for our staff, volunteers, and stakeholders on anti-corruption principles, policies, and best practices.

Reporting and Investigations:

• Disciplinary Actions: We will take appropriate disciplinary actions, including termination of employment or contracts, against individuals found to have engaged in corrupt practices.
• Cooperation with Authorities: We will cooperate fully with relevant law enforcement agencies and regulatory authorities in the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases.

Monitoring and Review:

• Performance Monitoring: We will regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our anti-corruption measures and practices.
• Policy Review: We will review and update this policy periodically to ensure its alignment with relevant legislation, best practices, and emerging risks related to corruption.

Partnerships and Advocacy:

• Collaboration: We will actively collaborate with other organizations, government agencies, and stakeholders working towards anti-corruption efforts and promoting transparency and accountability in Ukraine.
• Advocacy: We will use our platform to advocate for stronger anti-corruption policies, laws, and practices, and to raise awareness about the detrimental impacts of corruption on democratic processes and civic engagement.

By implementing this Anti-Corruption Policy, the NGO “Carpathian Sea Democracy Week” aims to uphold the highest ethical standards, maintain public trust, and contribute to a more transparent and accountable democratic environment in Ukraine.