In a hackathon organised by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) and supported by the European Economic Area (EEA) Grants, experts from Latvia and Norway generated ideas on how to identify and effectively mitigate corruption risks in the use of military funds.
Corruption risk mitigation measures are particularly important in areas that are exposed to high corruption risks. This includes the defence sector. Given the current geopolitical situation, substantial financial resources are allocated for enhancing the defence capabilities, but the public has limited ability to monitor the use of this funding, as this area is protected by official secret and other laws and regulations. In order to mitigate corruption risks in the use of funding allocated to the defence sector, it is necessary to design and implement effective corruption risk management elements.
KNAB Deputy Director for the Strategy and Policy Planning Sandijs Vectēvs: “In the current geopolitical context where the matter of national defence has become particularly important, as well as defence funding and expenses are increasing, there is no room for questionable transactions. The defence sector must demonstrate high standards of integrity and solutions that effectively reduce or identify corruption risks.”
The hackathon, which took place on 3 and 4 March in Sigulda, is an initiative funded by the Bilateral Cooperation Fund of the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014–2021 Programme “International Police Cooperation and Combating Crime”. The goal of the Fund is to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and the EEA grant beneficiary countries.