People from Leova district were trained how to prevent and report corruption cases within the campaign “Anticorruption Day in your town”. The activity is conducted by the National Anticorruption Center (NAC) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the financial support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The anticorruption officers have organized dedicated information sessions for managers and lawyers from de-concentrated services, representatives of local public administration and business environment, heads of medical and educational institutions, as well as for pupils. At the same time, NAC employees and anticorruption volunteers provided answers to questions asked by citizens from Leova and distributed leaflets at a tent installed downtown.

According to Ion Pruteanu, Head of NAC Education Division, the campaign aims to inform citizens about ways to denounce corruption cases, about their rights to benefit from free of charge services in public institutions. “The goal of the campaign is to inform and raise awareness of citizens regarding the risks of corruption phenomenon. We encourage people to report to NAC any corruption case in their locality,” said Pruteanu.

The representatives of the private sector who attended the training mentioned that such activities should be conducted at a wider scale, for business representatives to know better the anticorruption mechanisms existing in the country. “It is important to be updated with all the information that was presented today, so as to be able to defend our rights,” says Vera Belicci – an entrepreneur.

Stepan Caradjov, specialist at Leova District Council, mentioned that it is for the first time when he attends such a training and that he is firmly convinced that such discussions may contribute to reducing corruption. “People should find it out from the first sources where they can report cases when they encounter such difficulties, as well as who protects them when they decide to denounce such cases.”

Cristina Basenco, student at the Academy of Economic Studies from Moldova, has participated for the first time in such a public information activity as a NAC volunteer. “I consider that such activities should be carried out in all towns. Many of the persons that I have talked to today have heard for the first time about the NAC mandate and where they can notify corruption cases.”

Another volunteer, Rodica Chirita, student at the State University of Moldova, mentioned that Leova inhabitants seemed to be so interested in the anticorruption activity conducted in their town. “People told me that they want to find out as much as possible information on how to prevent corruption – a phenomenon which, unfortunately, occurs quite frequently,” says the young girl. The two students are part of the anticorruption volunteers’ group, who will participate during the current year in several anticorruption activities organized by NAC. With UNDP support, the group of young volunteers will develop their own anticorruption ideas and platforms in the educational institutions, as well as in their native localities.

The campaign “Anticorruption Day in your town” is conducted once per month, when anticorruption officers visit one of the country districts from the central, northern and southern regions.  

The “Curbing Corruption by Building Sustainable Integrity in the Republic of Moldova” Project is implemented by UNDP in partnership with the National Anticorruption Centre and Ombudsperson Office, with financial support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project will be implemented during 2019-2021 and will develop the capacities of the stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as from other civil society organizations, for efficient implementation of corruption prevention tools and standards.