# 2012 Regional Policy Paper #1: Increasing integrity and EU citizens' trust in public procurement URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/2012-regional-policy-paper-1-increasing-integrity-and-eu-citizens-trust-in Type: Publication or report Published: 2012-10-09 Updated: 2019-11-22 --- 09 October 2012 Public procurement systems across the European Union (EU) need to be robust, transparent and open to public monitoring. Only then can governments, bidders and contractors be held to account for how public money is spent, and corruption can be prevented. Corruption siphons off public funds, obstructs the functioning of the single market, and distorts fair competition. For these reasons, it is vital for the EU to ensure public procurements are sound, transparent and accountable. Public procurement at the EU-level is currently being reviewed; the inclusion of strong anti-corruption provisions is a way of increasing efficiency and creating the potential for substantial and immediate cost-savings. This is particularly urgent given the European sovereign-debt crisis, crippled economic activity across the region and national austerity measures that have made it necessary to make each Euro count. Only a strong and effective legal framework and strict enforcement practices can guarantee such a scenario. ### Related publications ## [Accelerating Action Against Criminal and Corrupt Wealth: Recommendations for the London Illicit Finance Summit](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/recommendations-london-illicit-finance-summit) Publication • 28 May 2026 This paper sets out recommendations on how governments participating in the UK Illicit Finance Summit can deliver credible and ambitious outcomes. ## [G20 Position Paper: Financial integrity for sustainable development and inequality reduction](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/financial-integrity-for-sustainable-development-and-inequality-reduction) Publication • 08 October 2024 A lack of high-level engagement on corruption has weakened the clarity and impact of G20 anti-corruption initiatives for sustainable development. ## [Tackling land corruption is vital to achieving land rights and the 2030 SDG agenda](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/tackling-land-corruption-achieving-land-rights-2030-sdg-agenda) Publication • 29 June 2023 This policy brief provides recommendations for transparent land governance to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal-related targets. ## [Leveraging Civil Society to Combat Corruption Risks in Emergency Response Management: The COVID-19 Experience](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/transparency-civil-society-corruption-risks-covid19) Publication • 13 June 2023 This publication shares findings in emergency response funding from the COVID-19 pandemic and makes recommendations for future responses. ## Countries - [Bulgaria](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/bulgaria) - [Czech Republic](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/czech-republic) - [Estonia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/estonia) - [Germany](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/germany) - [Greece](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/greece) - [Hungary](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/hungary) - [Italy](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/italy) - [Romania](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/romania) - [Slovakia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/slovakia) ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2012_ENISRegionalPolicyPaper_PublicProcurement_EN_116.jpg?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2012_ENISRegionalPolicyPaper_PublicProcurement_EN.pdf)