EUR 1 billion saved – thanks to the online platform ProZorro

Interview opportunity: International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December 2017: Digital solutions help GIZ in the fight against corruption

Digital solutions can shine a light of transparency, and this makes them an important tool in the global fight against corruption. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is focusing on such digital solutions on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Corruption is present in most societies and takes many forms, such as bribery, nepotism and misappropriation of funds. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), up to EUR 1.8 trillion a year is lost worldwide in this way. The money is used for private interests, while the public is left empty-handed. An effective weapon against corruption is transparency, and this is where digital solutions come into play – shining a light of transparency on state structures through apps and online, and getting citizens involved.

GIZ assists countries in making their state structures transparent and responsive, including in Ukraine. The ProZorro online platform ensures maximum transparency when state contracts are awarded: if the Ukrainian Government puts a contract to build a road out to tender, the public can now see which companies submit a bid, and what the various companies are offering. The resulting competition among bidders is fair and has already saved the state over EUR 1 billion.

The internet-based whistleblower system used by Indonesia’s anti-corruption body also encourages citizen participation. If members of the public provide anonymous information, and this information is plausible, those accused will be investigated. Since 2004, cases worth a total of EUR 124 million have been taken to court. Last year, an app called JAGA app was introduced. JAGA now has 10,000 users and provides information about the services offered by schools, health centres and citizens’ offices. If a service financed by the state falls short of what is promised – for example, with regard to the number of teachers or doctors or the scope of the services – the app can be used to draw attention to the problem. All ratings are available to the public. This allows the state to find out where money is being used correctly – and where it is not.

Our anti-corruption expert Nicole Bothe is available for telephone interviews in the week from 4–8 December. If you are interested, please contact the GIZ Press Office.

Contact:
GIZ Press Office
presse@giz.de
+49 6196 79 4466

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal enterprise with worldwide operations. We support the German Government in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. We are also engaged in international education activities around the globe. Through our work we assist people and societies in shaping their own future and improving living conditions.