The OGP Local Circle on Anti-Corruption is a community of practice aimed at deepening the understanding of significant challenges, promising innovations, and practical lessons emerging from the experiences of local governments implementing anti-corruption and public integrity reforms across the world. The Circle connects local government, civil society, and scholars through peer-to-peer network building and shared learning to promote the discussion and implementation of holistic, integrated, and innovative anti-corruption and integrity reforms at the local level. The Circle is supported by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
SESSIONS
Building Integrity from Within: Ethics Training in Local Governments
Leveraging Online Platforms to Strengthen Data Transparency and Combat Corruption
The Role of Anti-Corruption Communications in Supporting and Sustaining Integrity Reforms
Coordination
Lisbon, Portugal
Contact: Cecilia Moreira, [email protected]
Peñalolén, Chile
Contact: Cecilia Jiménez, [email protected]
National Democratic Institute
May 2026
About
This session convened local government officials, civil society, and international partners to share practical approaches for strengthening ethics, integrity, and accountability in local governance. Speakers discussed ethics frameworks, integrity indicators, transparency tools, citizen oversight mechanisms, and training programs to prevent corruption and build public trust. The session emphasized that collaboration, participation, and transparency are foundational for effective and accountable local governments.
More information
- “Ethics is not just about compliance—it is about building better institutions.” Councilor Vasco Anjos (Lisbon)
- Described integrity as a foundation for institutional improvement, not just a set of rules.
- He emphasized that transparency, public servant training, and a strong organizational culture are essential to building trust between governments and citizens.
“Preventing corruption starts long before misconduct occurs.” Camilla Posthill Conners and Salvador Torres (ICMA)- Highlighted ethics training and leadership development as key preventive tools.
- Camilla noted that integrity programs should provide public servants with practical decision-making skills and help embed ethical behavior in their daily work.
- Salvador shared identified integrity and ethics indicators as tools for measuring ethical performance, identifying vulnerabilities, and supporting ongoing institutional improvement.
- Resource List for OGP Local Circle Anti-Corruption (OGW) Webinar
“Open government and anti-corruption cannot be separated.” Kayllani Azevedo (Goiás State)- She shared that integrity policies are most effective when they are linked to transparency, citizen participation, and accountability.
- She emphasized that ongoing collaboration between governments and the public is necessary for sustainable anti-corruption efforts.
“Trust is built when governments listen—and respond.” – Cecilia Jiménez Oyarzún (Peñalolén, Chile)- Explained that transparency by itself does not fully strengthen public confidence.
- She pointed out that citizens need safe, accessible ways to raise concerns, and institutions must demonstrate that participation leads to real responses and action.
A shared message from the session:Participants agreed that strengthening integrity goes beyond detecting and sanctioning corruption. It requires building institutional cultures based on openness, accountability, and continuous learning. Collaboration among governments, civil society, and citizens is essential to reinforce democratic trust.
- Councilor Vasco Anjos, City of Lisbon (Portugal
- Camilla Posthill Conner, International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
- Salvador Torres, Sistema de Integridad Institucional y Fortalecimiento Ético (ICMA – México)
- Kayllani Azevedo, State of Goiás (Brazil)
- Cecilia Jiménez Oyarzún, Peñalolén (Chile)
- Moderation: Erin Houlihan, National Democratic Institute (NDI)
October 2025
About
This session highlighted innovative approaches from four practitioners advancing transparency and integrity through open data, digital tools, and participatory governance. Speakers from the Open Data Charter, Timișoara (Romania), Peñalolén (Chile), and Kaduna State (Nigeria) presented practical case studies showing how technology, collaboration, and civic engagement can reduce corruption risks. The discussion emphasized that successful anti-corruption innovation relies not only on technology but also on strong institutional commitment, inclusive design, and sustained cross-sector cooperation.
More information
- Open Data as a strategic tool (Natalia Carfi – Open Data Charter)
- Open Data serves as a strategic tool to combat corruption. The Anti-Corruption Open Up Guide identifies 30 high-value datasets governments should publish to increase transparency and accountability.
- To effectively implement the guide, governments should engage journalists and civil society early, encourage interdepartmental collaboration, promote contexts, maintain user feedback loops, and allocate dedicated resources.
- The Roadmap to Fight Corruption with Open Data is an interactive tool to support open government reformers to assess their readiness for open data reforms, ensuring that anti-corruption datasets are published and used effectively.
- Digital accountability can reduce corruption risks and increase public trust. (Valentin Mureșan – Timișoara, Romania)
- Digital accountability initiatives in Timișoara demonstrate that technology can reduce corruption risks and increase public trust by making government actions transparent and traceable.
- The city implemented qualified digital signatures to ensure secure, tamper-proof approvals and enhance integrity in decision-making.
- Timișoara’s Open Budget Platform publishes municipal payments, enabling citizens and journalists to monitor spending, providing a zero-cost, replicable model for local anti-corruption innovation.
- Demonstrating anti-corruption with cost-effective transparency innovation. (Dafne Vicentela-Becerra – Peñalolén, Chile)
- Peñalolén demonstrated that anti-corruption innovation can be achieved without major funding by creating public dashboards using free, open-source tools to make government data transparent.
- The city mapped and cleaned datasets, collaborated across departments, designed dashboards, and published them online to ensure accessible, reliable information for citizens.
- Key success factors included strong citizen engagement, inclusive user testing (including seniors), and persistent advocacy to secure political support, showing how resource-limited contexts can implement effective transparency measures.
- Open Contracting strengthens accountability and trust across the public sector. (Tara Jeremiah Waya – Kaduna State, Nigeria)
- Open Contracting in Kaduna State strengthens public sector accountability and builds trust by making infrastructure project data transparent and accessible.
- The state adopted the Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard (OC4IDS) and established a multi-stakeholder forum to ensure inclusivity, oversight, and effective use of data.
- Over 1,400 projects have been published, with officials, civil society, and journalists trained to monitor and analyze the information, demonstrating a scalable model for anti-corruption oversight.
- Natalia Carfi – Open Data Charter
- Valentin Mureșan – Timișoara, Romania
- Dafne Vicentela-Becerra – Peñalolén, Chile
- Tara Jeremiah Waya – CoST International, Kaduna State, Nigeria
May 2025
About
This session explored how local governments and researchers are approaching anti-corruption communications, examining the realities, difficulties, and risks involved. Panelists shared research and real-world examples of how messaging can both help and hinder reform efforts, offering insights into what’s being tried, what works, and what challenges remain on the ground. The session reinforced that credible, audience-specific communication aligned with broader integrity reforms is essential for sustaining anti-corruption efforts.
More information
- Anti-corruption messaging is complex and can either support or undermine reform efforts depending on design and context.
- Messaging is not inherently effective: many campaigns fail, and some backfire, causing cynicism or apathy. Avoid assuming awareness alone is helpful.
- Positive framing works better: emphasizing shared values (e.g., “Most people reject corruption”) tends to resonate more than highlighting corruption’s prevalence or harm.
- Test before launching: messages must be evidence-based and tested with target audiences to avoid unintended adverse effects.
- Tailor and target: customize communication by language, culture, age, and media use. One-size-fits-all approaches are risky and ineffective.
- Credibility matters: messages must align with trusted institutions; urging reporting to distrusted bodies undermines impact.
- Integrate with broader reforms: messaging alone won’t change behavior; it must be part of legal, enforcement, and institutional strategies.
- Leverage community participation: communication is most effective when paired with inclusive practices that engage civil society and marginalized groups.
- Lisbon’s approach
- Lisbon’s strategy combines internal efforts (staff engagement and promoting core values) with external tools like the Transparency Portal and an ethics code.
- Lisbon also uses events, educational visits, and strategy sessions to build trust and raise awareness.
- The city leads an Intermunicipal Network that facilitates the sharing of anti-corruption practices among municipalities.
- Nic Cheeseman, Professor of Democracy and International Development, University of Birmingham
- Cecilia Moreira, Director, Department of Transparency and Prevention of Corruption, Lisbon (Portugal)
- Kristen Sample, National Democratic Institute