The world’s poorest people know where corruption hurts them most and understand the public services that are suffering from it. So involving them when development plans are determined and reform agendas are set will help to address these problems. Local communities must take part in decisions that affect their lives. Then they can work with their leaders to ensure their needs are met and the service breakdowns corrected. And they can make politicians keep their word. If local people help monitor elections and service provision, the community can become a watchdog and help to reduce opportunities for corruption. Plans to improve local infrastructure – from schools and clinics to roads and bridges – also need to include measures that prevent and address corruption in the process.

It’s important we don’t see the battles against poverty and corruption as separate agendas. They’re inseparably linked. Governments, donors and aid agencies have begun to recognise this. We need to work with them to integrate anti-corruption measures into development policies. Then we can help maximise the effectiveness of both. Go back to the problem