# Monitoring public contracting: Experience from 18 integrity pacts in the EU URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/monitoring-public-contracting-in-the-eu Type: Publication or report Published: 2022-04-07 Updated: 2022-04-07 --- 07 April 2022 Transparency International and the European Commission teamed up in 2015 to tackle corruption in public procurement in EU-funded investments. As a result, between 2016 and 2021, a coalition of 15 civil society organisations monitored 18 procurement projects in the European Union (EU) worth a total of €920 million **through a collaborative mechanism called the integrity pact**. The monitored projects covered a range of sectors, including transport infrastructure, [cultural heritage](https://www.transparency.org/en/blog/heritage-sites-and-people-power-whats-the-best-approach) and public-sector administrative capacity. Several integrity pacts protected strategic [green investments](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/go-clean-to-go-green-how-civic-oversight-in-public-contracting-can-help-reach-eu-climate-goals), demonstrating the significance of civic oversight in improving public procurement to benefit the people and the planet. The pilot initiative brought together government agencies, the private sector and civil society in 11 EU countries – Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia – to **ensure that selected contracting projects were designed and implemented to the highest possible standards** of transparency, accountability and efficiency in the public interest. After six years, the independent monitors' work resulted in almost 770 recommendations and several identified irregularities. We made these public through over 80 publicly available monitoring reports shared widely. *Monitoring public contracting: Experience from 18 integrity pacts in the EU* sets out key facts, figures and achievements from the 18 integrity pacts. **Overall, the impact of integrity pacts was apparent in enhanced transparency and accountability, stronger competition and fairness, better value for money, citizen engagement and even long-term institutional change.** This publication aims to inform future decision-makers, public authorities, prospective independent monitors and participating bidders and **inspire them to **monitor public contracting by setting**up strong integrity pacts.** ### Related publications ## [Regional Assessment of Integrity in Political Finance in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/integrity-political-finance-asia) Publication • 03 September 2026 This report reviews systems across 17 countries to identify the areas of political finance most in need of reform. ## [Annual Report 2025](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/annual-report-2025) Publication • 17 July 2026 In 2025, Transparency International pursued its mission to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society. ## [Whistleblowing Authorities in Europe: Roles, challenges and lessons learned](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/whistleblowing-authorities-in-europe-roles-challenges-and-lessons-learned) Publication • 19 June 2026 This report examines the institutional design, mandates and functioning of national whistleblowing authorities across Europe. ## [Strengthening Public Oversight: Good practices for partnerships between civil society and supreme audit institutions](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/strengthening-public-oversight-good-practices-for-partnerships-between-civil-society-and-supreme-audit-institutions) Publication • 29 May 2026 Stronger collaboration between Supreme Audit Institutions and Civil Society Organisations is needed for better public financial oversight. ## Priorities - [Public procurement](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/public-procurement) ## Countries - [Bulgaria](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/bulgaria) - [Czech Republic](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/czech-republic) - [Greece](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/greece) - [Hungary](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/hungary) - [Italy](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/italy) - [Lithuania](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/lithuania) - [Latvia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/latvia) - [Poland](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/poland) - [Portugal](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/portugal) - [Romania](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/romania) - [Slovenia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/slovenia) ## Regions - [European Union](https://www.transparency.org/en/region/european-union) ## Projects - [Integrity Pacts – Civil Control Mechanism for Safeguarding EU Funds](https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/integritypacts) ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/booklet-cover.PNG?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/IP_monitoring-public-contracting_ENG_20220406.pdf)