USAID Government Accountability Initiative and web portal Pištaljka have published Guide for Persons Authorized for Receiving and Investigating Whistle-Blowers Reports in Local Self-Government. The guide contains necessary information and instructions on how to organize an efficient internal whistle-blowing system in municipalities, as well as how to proceed with reports that authorized persons receive from whistleblowers, taking into account their identity. The guide also contains several case studies, simulations and examples from the practice that should help authorized persons and local decision-makers to better understand the importance of whistleblower protections, but also the importance of investigating information that is disclosed by whistleblowers.

This document is available in Serbian language only.

USAID Governmental Accountability Initiative, web portal Pištaljka, together with international expert, Mr. Tomas Divine, have published Recommendations for improving internal rulebook for whistleblowing in local self-governments (LSG). The model relies on international best practices as well as concrete legal and organizational characteristics of local governments in Serbia.

In line with the Whistleblower Protection Law from December 2014, LSGs are obliged to establish systems for whistleblowing that will ensure secure receipt of reports and taking of appropriate follow up actions. Given that the regulatory framework relating to whistleblowing is relatively new, there is a significant need to support LSGs in implementation of the legal requirements as well as for educating local administration staff and management about the rules and procedures for whistleblowing. Besides developing recommendations for rulebooks on internal whistleblowing procedures, GAI also works on capacity building of local self-governments in Serbia and on providing direct technical assistance to LSGs in introducing functional model for whistleblower protection.

Practicum for Investigation and Adjudication of Corruption Offences was developed by a group of authors through the support of USAID Government Accountability Initiative (GAI), with the aim to provide guidance and practical advice for investigation and prosecution of criminal offences with corruptive elements.

With the entry into force of the new Law on Organization and Jurisdiction of State Authorities in Combating Organized Crime, Terrorism and Corruption, the concepts of forensic accountant, task force and liaison officer were introduced for the first time in Serbian legislation. The introduction of these concepts and the new organizational structure of the authorities responsible for preventing and combating corruption (creation of specialized units in courts, public prosecutor’s offices and the Ministry of Interior) entails a need for a better understanding of the improved inter-institutional cooperation and appropriate training of the most important actors in the fight against corruption in the Republic of Serbia. This publication represents an initial step in promoting efficient and innovative methods in fighting corruption and adopting good practices through their implementation. This document is available in Serbian language only.

The Government Accountability Initiative (GAI) and the agency Executive Group have published a Guide for the Use of Social Networks for Local Self-Governments, which aims to increase the transparency of the work of cities and municipalities, improve the communication of local administration with citizens, and enable public participation in decision-making process. The guide is based on the experiences and knowledge of communication and social media experts at Executive Group, an analysis of the presence of local governments on social networks, as well as an exchange of experiences during a two-day training GAI have organized with seven partner LSGs in June 2019. The document is available in Serbian language only.