Building on the successful experience of support provided to chapters through the ongoing APD Institutional Support Programme and the Pacific Support Programme, the cornerstone of TIAP’s Integrated Strategy 2012 is the Organisational Development Programme (ODP). This three-year programme seeks to develop the operational capacity of TIAP actors and their strategic coalition partners necessary for successfully realising the objectives detailed in the strategy. The primary component of the ODP is an Entrusted Operational Fund (EOF), the purpose of which is to develop chapters’ structural, leadership and financial capacities to fulfil their core advocacy functions and maintain self-sufficiency; to protect chapters from unpredictable financial difficulties; and to support chapters’ innovative and sensitive projects that are deemed too risky by donors. The second component is the development of a Regional Training Programme (RTP). Through a range of specialised workshops the RTP will address chapters’ training needs in the areas of: anti-corruption advocacy, good governance and management of not-for-profit organisations.

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Political finance, defined as the use of resources for funding party organisations and electoral campaigns, is both a blessing and a curse for democracy. On the one hand, resources allow parties and candidates to build solid political organisations. On the other hand, resources weaken democratic values as large donations can undermine elected officeholders’ independence and tie them closely to special interests. The findings of TI’s Global Corruption Barometer and other governance indicators highlight the perception in the Asia Pacific region that political parties are the institutions most affected by corruption. Involving all relevant chapters, the Political Financing Programme will seek to promote political finance transparency by replicating the Crinis programme, which has been successfully employed by TI chapters in Latin America. The project works with parties, electoral authorities, corporate donors, voters and other key national and international stakeholders in this area to promote transparency in political financing. The CRINIS Index allows a comprehensive evaluation of the current situation in each country under review, comparisons between countries and the definition and sharing of best practices. The project recommends reforms based on a diagnosis of each country where CRINIS has been applied.

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Studies show that although most countries have structures in place to prevent corruption, profound weaknesses persist, as do wide gaps between policy and practice. The concept of the National Integrity System – developed and promoted by TI as part of its holistic approach to countering corruption – provides a framework with which to assess both the extent and causes of corruption in a given national context and the adequacy and effectiveness of national anti-corruption efforts. Priority areas for anti-corruption reform can be identified through this process. The Measuring Anti-Corruption Progress & Reforms in National Integrity Systems Programme will mobilise new stakeholders to assess and benchmark the effectiveness of governments’ anti-corruption work and reforms over a period of three years across the entire Asia Pacific region.

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Deforestation has reached unprecedented levels in the Asia Pacific region. Research shows that where the perceived level of corruption is endemic, deforestation is widespread. Not only does corruption facilitate illegal forest activities, it also frustrates efforts to counter the problem. The Forest Governance & Integrity Programme aims to curb corruption in the illegal and unsustainable harvesting, production, conversion, export, import and procurement of timber and wood products from primary or natural forests. It will do this through a cross-sector range of activities that seek to promote greater transparency, accountability and integrity in the various constituencies involved with the forestry sector. The first phase of the programme will be implemented over three years and will involve chapters from Southeast Asia and the Pacific. By engaging with international and local organisations already working to promote forest governance, TIAP will seek to lead anti-corruption consultations for forest sector advocacy strategies. For this purpose, APD will establish national Forest Governance & Integrity Centres, with a regional centre based in Indonesia.

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Advocacy & Legal Advice Centres (ALACs) have proven to be effective in empowering people in the fight against corruption. By providing citizens with information and legal advice, ALACs enable them to know their rights and pursue corruption-related complaints. By analysing the experiences of victims and witnesses of corruption the ‘soft points’ in the system that allow corruption to thrive can be identified. These insights provide the ALACs with clear and specific advocacy targets, meaning that the concerns of ordinary citizens can be translated into systemic change. Advocacy campaigns also create a virtuous circle, helping establish the profile and reputation of the ALACs which, in turn, encourages more citizens to take action against corruption. The Citizen Participation through Advocacy & Legal Advice Centres Programme will be led by APD and involve national chapters from South Asia and the Pacific. Lasting for an initial period of three years, the programme will seek to fully establish ALACs throughout the Asia Pacific region.

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