This is the second in a series of three blogs produced by a team of four delegates who participated in the World Bank’s International Corruption Hunters Alliance 2023 in the Ivory Coast. The team consists of Viva Pizzaro Seidu (Ghana), Sabrina Nassih (Morocco), Eze Edith Oluchi (Nigeria) and Martha Asire (Uganda). 

They have developed the Anti-Corruption Coalition Readiness Scorecard (ACCRS), an integrative scorecard that seeks to enhance anti-corruption coalitions’ impact by assessing readiness and challenges, at the various stages of coalition development.

In our second blog of the series, we dive into how the ACCRS offers a comprehensive self-assessment process for coalitions to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in vital areas like stakeholder analysis, communication, transparency, capacity building, conflict resolution, joint action, advocacy, and monitoring.

Addressing the challenge of donor dependency, we explore strategies for diversifying funding sources and leveraging digital platforms for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and networking. Additionally, fostering collaboration and synergy among anti-corruption coalitions is highlighted for its potential to amplify influence and effectiveness.

Assessing Coalition Readiness

The process of using the ACCRS to evaluate coalition readiness involves a comprehensive self-assessment by the coalition. The coalition members collectively review and respond to the scorecard’s components and corresponding assessment questions, considering their specific context and operations. 

This self-assessment allows the coalition to critically examine its strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in key areas such as stakeholder analysis, communication channels, transparency, capacity building, conflict resolution, joint action, advocacy, monitoring, and evaluation.

This process is important because it enables coalitions to gain a clear understanding of their current state and effectiveness. When they honestly evaluate their performance using the ACCRS, coalitions will have a clear understanding of areas where they excel and areas that require improvement. With this assessment, they recognize gaps in knowledge, resources, or strategies that may hinder their anti-corruption efforts. 

Addressing Donor Dependency 

Reducing donor dependency and diversifying funding sources are critical for the long-term sustainability of anti-corruption coalitions. Here are strategies for achieving these goals while utilizing digital platforms for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and networking:

1. Membership Fees and Subscriptions:

• Establish a membership system where NGOs, organizations, or individuals interested in anti-corruption efforts can become members of the coalition by paying a fee or subscription. Membership benefits can include access to exclusive resources, training materials, webinars, and networking opportunities.
• Utilize a digital platform to manage membership registrations, payments, and communication. Develop an online portal or platform where members can access resources, participate in discussions, and network with each other.

2. Online Training and Capacity Building:

• Offer online training programs, webinars, or e-learning courses on various topics related to anti-corruption, governance, transparency, and accountability. Develop interactive modules, downloadable resources, and assessment tools to enhance learning experiences.
• Utilize a learning management system (LMS) or online platform to host the training programs. This platform can enable participants to access training materials, track their progress, and receive certifications upon completion.

3. Virtual Conferences and Events:

• Organize virtual conferences, seminars, or workshops to bring together anti-corruption practitioners, experts, and stakeholders from different regions. Utilize video conferencing platforms and online event management systems to host engaging and interactive events.
• Incorporate features such as breakout rooms, networking sessions, and virtual exhibition spaces to facilitate knowledge exchange, collaboration, and networking among participants.

4. Crowdsourcing and Collaboration:

• Engage in crowdsourcing initiatives to fund specific projects or research endeavors. Utilize digital platforms that allow individuals or organizations to contribute funds towards specific goals or campaigns.
• Foster collaboration and partnership-building through online platforms. Establish virtual collaboration spaces where coalition members can connect, share resources, exchange best practices, and work together on joint initiatives.

An example of a Sustainable Model Approach is an Online Knowledge-Sharing Platform we intend to establish. This platform will include features such as:

• Resource Library: A comprehensive repository of research papers, case studies, toolkits, and best practice guides that coalition members can access and contribute to.
• Discussion Forums: Virtual discussion boards where members can engage in debates, share experiences, seek advice, and collaborate on specific topics or challenges.
• Expert Networks: A directory of experts in various fields related to anti-corruption, allowing members to connect with and seek guidance from professionals in specific domains.
• Webinars and Online Events: Regularly organized webinars, virtual panel discussions, and online events featuring experts and practitioners who share their insights and experiences.
• Member Profiles and Networking: Personalized member profiles, enabling them to showcase their expertise, connect with like-minded individuals, and explore potential partnerships or collaborations.

By leveraging digital platforms for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and networking, anti-corruption coalitions can reduce donor dependency, diversify funding sources, and create sustainable models for long-term impact in the fight against corruption.

Fostering Collaboration and Synergy

Fostering collaboration and synergy among anti-corruption coalitions promotes a unified and coordinated approach to combating corruption, maximizing impact and effectiveness. Some benefits of joint action initiatives and cooperation among anti-corruption coalitions include:

1. Increased Impact: Joint action initiatives and cooperation among member organizations in anti-corruption coalitions can lead to a greater collective impact in the fight against corruption. By pooling resources, expertise, and networks, member organizations can leverage their combined strength to tackle corruption more effectively. This collaboration allows for a coordinated and unified approach, amplifying the influence and reach of the coalition.
2. Enhanced Knowledge and Capacity: Cooperation among member organizations facilitates the sharing of knowledge, best practices, and capacity-building opportunities. Through joint initiatives, coalitions can learn from each other’s experiences, gain new insights, and develop innovative strategies to address corruption challenges. This exchange of expertise strengthens the capabilities of individual organizations and the coalition as a whole, enabling them to respond more efficiently to emerging corruption threats.
3. Improved Advocacy and Influence: Working together in a coalition provides member organizations with a stronger collective voice and greater advocacy power. By aligning their efforts and messages, they can advocate for policy reforms, engage with stakeholders, and influence decision-making processes more effectively. Joint action initiatives can attract attention and support from diverse stakeholders, including governments, civil society, media, and the public, leading to increased visibility and credibility for the coalition’s anti-corruption agenda.

Limitations and Future Development

While the ACCRS is a valuable tool for assessing coalition readiness, it does have limitations that should be acknowledged. These limitations include:

• Scientific boundary: The ACCRS is an empirical work that is anchored in existing literature. However, as new research and insights emerge, it is essential to continuously update and refine the scorecard to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.
• Coalition Commitment: The success of the ACCRS relies on the commitment of coalitions to test and utilize the scorecard independently. It requires their active participation and willingness to embrace the evaluation process and implement necessary changes. Resistance to change or lack of commitment may hinder the full potential of the scorecard.
• Willingness to Try: Some coalitions may be resistant or averse to trying new evaluation tools like the ACCRS. Overcoming this resistance and promoting the benefits of the scorecard’s implementation is crucial to ensure its adoption and effectiveness.

Our future plans for refining and enhancing the scorecard is as follows:

• Long Term: Our goal is to identify and declare two coalitions in each country and three associations that we believe have the potential to work together effectively as a coalition. By 2024, our team aims to implement the ACCRS as a part of a case study with these coalitions and associations.
• Medium Term: We plan to develop a digital platform that provides a comprehensive resource library on the history of the NGOs, coalition activities, and the administration of the ACCRS. This platform will enable users to access and take the assessment online while also tracking their progress through the platform’s test history feature.

Read the third and final blog in this series on the Anti-Corruption Coalition Readiness Scorecard (ACCRS) here.

Accountability Lab