Assets and Interest Disclosure (AID) systems in Europe: comparing existing risk analysis mechanisms

• In Event: Euroc - Corruption across the globe (1)

Abstract

Asset and Interest Disclosure (AID) systems are an important multipurpose tool to prevent corruption, promote transparency and overall trust in public officials and the civil service. Despite the worldwide introduction of such systems, there are still significant differences in their functioning and implementation. The results of a comprehensive mapping of AID systems in 19 EU Member and Candidate States revealed that this is especially true for the mechanism of risk analysis. In the context of AID systems, risk analysis mechanisms are employed to prioritise the verification of suspicious declarations: the large number of disclosures submitted often makes it very difficult to check them all. The presentation discusses the findings from in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with anti-corruption bodies in EU Member and Candidate States employing a risk analysis mechanism. The activity, aimed at deepening the understanding of how such systems work in practice, has revealed several differences. Risk analysis mechanisms have varying structures and functions, sometimes partially overlapping with the verification of declarations. Special attention was dedicated to their level of digitalisation, specifically whether automated systems are implemented. Findings from the semi-structured interviews allowed to identify relevant best practices for risk analysis and to develop recommendations. The research is part of the EU project “qAID - Towards contemporary knowledge and innovative tools for assessing and enhancing effectiveness of Asset and Interest Disclosure (AID) systems in EU Member States and Candidate States” (co-funded by the European Commission – DG Home Affairs and Migration under the International Security Fund – ISF).

Authors

• Gabriele Baratto, Faculty of Law, University of Trento | Centre of Security and Crime Sciences, University of Trento and University of Verona

• Andrea Di Nicola, ​Associate professor of criminology, Faculty of Law​, University of Trento​, and director of the​ ​Centre of Security and Crime Sciences​ (University of Trento and University of Verona​)​

• Beatrice Rigon, School of International Studies, University of Trento | Centre of Security and Crime Sciences, University of Trento and University of Verona

• Atanas Rusev, Center for the Study of Democracy

• Alexander Gerganov, Center for the Study of Democracy

• Tihomir Bezlov, Center for the Study of Democracy

• Daniel Belingher, National Integrity Agency - Romania

• Giovanni Paolo Sellitto, National Anti-corruption Authority - Italy

• Nikola Naumovski, Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative