Advancing anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine’s Customs Service: key highlights from Warsaw

Over the past two days, the workshop in Warsaw has been instrumental in enhancing the anti-corruption framework within the State Customs Service of Ukraine.

Day 2 started with an in-depth discussion on the impact of the State Revenue Strategy, setting the stage for further discussions of the program’s justification, the impact of corruption on operations, and the current status of corruption within the SCS. The discussions also emphasized the need for a new way of thinking and providing service, cooperation with external institutions, and identifying potential risks impacting the program’s execution.

Day 3 focused on the roles and responsibilities of managing the program. Participants established a steering committee to guide anti-corruption efforts and discussed a cascade-of-goals approach to align objectives across all organizational levels. Key recommendations included reformulating risk factors, improving the presentation of reports, and enhancing anti-corruption training programs.

A significant development was in creating an internal mechanism to apply new key performance indicators (KPIs) and an algorithm to assess corruption levels at customs. This will help measure effectiveness and address risks more accurately.

The workshop concluded with a comprehensive summary, reinforcing the SCS’s commitment to fighting corruption and achieving transparency. The insights and strategies developed will be crucial in advancing the SCS’s mission and Ukraine’s integration into the European Union.