|
Since the establishment of RAI Secretariat (former SPAI RSLO) in Sarajevo, in March 2004, the main financial support was provided by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through American Bar Association (ABA), on behalf of its Rule of Law Initiative (former ABA-CEELI). The award was granted with the main purpose to promote the reform of legal systems in South Eastern Europe, and it was covering both, operational and programmatic expenses of the Secretariat. The grant was extended until September 2008 in order to make possible the smooth process of transition to the regional ownership.
By signing the Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Cooperation in Fighting Corruption through SEE Anti-corruption Initiative (MoU), in Zagreb, on April 13th 2007, the member countries committed to take over the main financial responsibility towards the Initiative and its Secretariat through their annual contributions.
In parallel with the member countries as the main donors, the Secretariat continued good practice in applying for additional financial support through projects and also by matching funds in co-organizing anti-corruption regional and national conferences and workshops with international partners such as: Council of Europe (CoE), Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE), Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), Open Society Institute (OSI), Transparency International (TI) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In addition to the international partners, financial contribution in organizing programmatic activities was provided by the relevant governmental structures from all 9 member countries.
Besides the member countries, other partner countries that were supporting the idea and work of the Initiative were opened to finance additional projects developed by the Secretariat, such as Internship project, Public awareness campaign and Project on development the activities in area of high level corruption cases. The support of the partner countries led to the establishment of a body called “Friends of the Chair” with the main purpose to discuss and search for additional ways for funding. In most of the cases the Friends of the Chair meetings were organized once per year, back to back with the Steering Group meetings.
Based on importance of active involvement in fighting against corruption, Regional Anti-corruption Initiative and particularly its Secretariat will be continuously focused on development of new programmatic activities in this area, with the sources provided from the current supporters, and by applying for financial support from other bilateral and multilateral donors.
Independent Assurance Report - Financial Audit of the Grant received from USAID through ABA ROLI
Independent Assurance Report - Financial Audit of Funding received from RAI Member Countries |