Where corruption undermines democracies, it is the poor who lose their voice and ability to hold their government to account. TI chapters address both political and administrative accountability in the fight against corruption. Holding governments accountable to their development promises depends on the possibilities for citizens and civil society to oversee and participate in public decision-making. TI chapters around the world support citizens in knowing and exercising their rights and building alliances for change. Here are some examples of current and past chapter activities in the following fields:

• Governance assessment: TI National Integrity System (NIS) studies
• Integrity of political representation: Political rights, access to information, avenues for change
• Increasing the accountability of public administrations
• Creating alliances and pacts for change
• Increasing the accountability of development cooperation

Good governance is at the centre of development efforts and anti-corruption action. TI’s National Integrity System (NIS) studies provide a framework to analyse the extent and causes of corruption in a given national context, as well as the adequacy and effectiveness of national anti-corruption efforts. A set of NIS studies were launched recently in Southern Africa and East and South-East Asia. On the basis of these findings, chapters in the region are advocating for integrity in governance institutions. The NIS methodology is being used to inform the current poverty and social assessment for a good governance programme in Bangladesh, undertaken by the Asian Development Bank.

TI also established the Central American Anti-corruption Resource Network RECREA, which provides information on the state of anti-corruption efforts. It addresses the need for information on the different actors and institutions involved in reducing it. The information is based on the pillars of the National Integrity System.

Lebanese Transparency Association (LTA) works on multiple fronts to fight corruption: creating awareness on citizens’ rights, improving the access to information legislation and campaigning for electoral reforms in cooperation with other members of civil society. LTA organises workshops for political parties to encourage an informed debate on the electoral law. As part of an alternate budget project it is reviewing the involvement of the legislative, executive’s and civil society in the budget process. LTA recently succeeded in signing a ‘Partnership for Transparency’ Memorandum of Understanding to jointly work on setting benchmarks and improving the transparency, accountability and responsiveness of public finances.

Transparency International Georgia’s Informed Citizens and Accountable Government project strives to improve communication between parliamentarians and their constituencies and promotes public awareness of and input into the legislative process. In cooperation with parliamentarians, TI Georgia conducts public meetings in three-month cycles in Georgia where citizens receive information about parliamentary developments over the last three months and its future plans.

Also see TI Australia’s publication on ‘What works and why in community based anti-corruption programmes'.

Ética y Transparencia in Nicaragua supported the creation of citizen evaluation committees in municipalities. These are now working on monitoring public procurement and promoting budget transparency.

Proética, TI’s Chapter in Peru is currently developing a tool to monitor corruption risks in rural, extremely poor areas. The main partners of the project are six regional governments who have signed framework agreements with Proética that commit them to fighting corruption and poverty. Research is already underway in 12 districts to create a monitoring system capturing signs of corruption and key causes. The monitoring system will be “translated” into the languages used and understood by public officials from municipalities and sectors, and by regional authorities and civil organisations. It will allow regional governments to ensure that their actions against corruption are informed by the perspective of the poor and directly impact on poverty.

Transparencia Paraguay publishes the 'Transparency, Integrity and Efficiency Index of Public Administration', evaluating public institutions based on five indicators: transparency in the administrative processes; integrity and efficiency of the public institutions; services provided by the institution through its website; and the integrity of the institutions based on its print publications.

Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) conducted the study 'Show Me the Money' looking into how much money has been reported by the Auditor General as not properly accounted for or stolen outright by government departments and ministries over a 20 year period. Generating a vibrant national public debate, this study has allowed the Auditor General’s office to demand action on its reports.

Transparencia Mexicana and the Mexican Fund to Preserve Natural Resources are working together on a project to increase transparency in the environmental sector. This joint effort aims to strengthen citizens’ capacity to be informed on the country’s natural resources in order to participate in the decision-making processes that affect the environment.

TI national chapters have introduced integrity pacts and started building alliances within administrations and sectors. These pacts aim to prevent corruption from shifting from one stage of the decision-making process to another.

Chile Transparente has set up a list of 95 standards on municipal transparency establishing the parameters of active transparency that a municipality should observe. Two municipalities are already implementing them, and through the agreement that Chile Transparente signed with the 'Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades' (Chilean Association of Municipalities), the transparency standards will be promoted in all the municipalities from March 2008 onwards.

TI Malaysia implemented a Memorandum of Collaboration to promote transparency, integrity and accountability and to combat corruption effectively. The invitation to collaborate and embrace a corruption-free environment has been extended to various organisations in Malaysia, including associations, government agencies, corporate companies and civil society organisations.

Transparency Solomon Islands plays a key role in coordinating the activities of a coalition from civil society, the National Council of Women, young people, the church and the trade union in setting up the new Solomon Islands Coalition against Corruption, which will spearhead the national fight against corruption.

TI chapters in Austria, Czech Republic and Georgia have been working on corruption in the health sector, directly affecting citizens. TI Austria released a position paper, which prompted a public debate about waiting times for health care services and illegal payments that, in practice, facilitate shorter waiting times. TI Czech Republic released a study to direct society’s attention to the poorly designed system for financing of healthcare in the Czech Republic.

TI-Romania has developed an instrument for promoting public integrity and citizen participation regarding public service delivery at local level. The project aims to involve citizens in identifying the community’s priorities for public service delivery and developing solutions.

TI chapters and affiliates in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa have provided input into the Africa Peer Review Mechanism process run under the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

TI chapters have made a joint statement to last year’s Group of Eight summit in Germany and public declarations on the importance of asset recovery to Africa in 2004 and 2006. An EU Brussels office represents European Union donor countries concerned with accountability of public funds both within and outside the EU.

An online information system developed by Transparencia Mexicana increases communication and promotes partnership between civil society organisations and potential donors by systematising and referencing development initiatives.