Corruption drains and diverts public funds from local development. At the local level, corruption can affect access to health and education, equal opportunities, and, overall, the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Municipalities can be particularly vulnerable to corruption due to their tight networks of power and their central role in delivering basic public and licensing services, managing local municipally owned enterprises and procuring products and services. Through enhanced systems of public administration, transparent and accountable processes, and open and responsive public services, municipalities can profoundly alter the way citizens relate to government and access essential services.

This regional brief looks at UNDP’s approach to promoting transparency, integrity and accountability at the local level in the Europe and Central Asia region.