This is the third 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 third and final blog of the series, we delve into the real-world impact of the Anti-Corruption Coalition Readiness Scorecard (ACCRS) as we assess coalition formations in Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda. These coalitions, comprising civil society organizations, human rights activists, anti-corruption agencies, NGOs, faith-based groups, political parties, and media outlets, are actively addressing corruption challenges. By utilizing the ACCRS, these coalitions gain valuable insights into their readiness and effectiveness in combating corruption. 

Real-world Impact 

The following case studies demonstrate the diverse coalition formations in Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda, where the ACCRS will be implemented to evaluate their readiness and effectiveness in combating corruption.

1. In Morocco, two coalitions addressing systemic corruption issues will be approached to try the ACCRS (DCDO : civic dynamic of open development, and Alitlaf) These coalitions will be comprised of civil society organizations and human rights activists who advocate for stronger anti-corruption laws, promote transparency, and enhance accountability in public institutions. The ACCRS will be implemented to assess the coalition’s readiness and effectiveness in achieving its objectives. 
2. In Ghana, the ACCRS will be utilized to assess and support coalitions that are actively addressing corruption challenges. The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) will be approached for collaboration in this initiative. Our team, in partnership with GACC, will distribute the ACCRS to these coalitions to evaluate their readiness and effectiveness in tackling corruption issues head-on. The ACCRS will be utilized to evaluate the coalition’s readiness in terms of strategy, resources, and coordination. 
3. In Nigeria, there has been significant coalition formation against corruption. These coalitions bring together anti-corruption agencies, NGOs, and faith-based groups. Their collective efforts aim to strengthen institutional frameworks, enhance anti-corruption legislation, and improve public awareness. The implementation of the ACCRS will provide valuable insights into the coalition’s strengths and areas that require further development. 
4. In Uganda, a coalition has emerged as a powerful force in the fight against corruption. Comprising political parties, youth organizations, and media outlets, this coalition seeks to promote integrity, foster good governance, and increase citizen participation. The ACCRS will be employed to assess the coalition’s preparedness in terms of leadership, communication, and coordination. 

The potential positive outcomes and improvements through the use of the scorecard are as follows:

1. Enhanced Coalition Effectiveness: By utilizing the ACCRS, coalitions can identify their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to strategically address gaps in their capacity, coordination, and collaboration. This assessment process fosters continuous improvement, leading to stronger and more effective coalitions in their anti-corruption efforts.
2. Increased Collective Impact: The scorecard promotes shared learning and best practices among coalitions by facilitating knowledge exchange and benchmarking. Through this collaborative approach, coalitions can leverage each other’s strengths, learn from successful strategies, and amplify their collective impact in combating corruption. The scorecard enables coalitions to achieve greater results collectively than they could individually.
3. Strengthened Collaboration and Synergy: The scorecard promotes collaboration and synergy among member organizations within the coalition. Through a standardized assessment process, it facilitates dialogue, knowledge sharing, and joint decision-making, fostering a cohesive and coordinated approach to combating corruption.

Conclusion

Our presentation of the Anti-Corruption Coalition Readiness Scorecard at the conference highlighted the challenges faced by anti-corruption coalitions and proposed a practical solution to enhance their effectiveness. 

The ACCRS, a comprehensive tool assessing coalition readiness and effectiveness, addresses crucial dimensions such as stakeholder analysis, communication, transparency, capacity building, joint action, and monitoring. By utilizing the scorecard, coalitions can identify strengths and areas for improvement, fostering their anti-corruption efforts.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of coalitions, it is essential to reduce donor dependency and diversify funding sources. Strategies like implementing membership fees, offering online training and capacity building, organizing virtual conferences, and engaging in crowdsourcing and collaboration can help achieve financial independence. 

Additionally, fostering collaboration and synergy among coalitions is crucial. By working together, coalitions can amplify their impact, enhance knowledge and capacity, and improve advocacy and influence. Joint action initiatives and cooperation create a unified and coordinated approach to combat corruption, thereby increasing the effectiveness and influence of the coalitions.

While the ACCRS has limitations that need to be addressed, such as empirical grounding and coalition commitment to testing, it remains a valuable tool for assessing readiness and overcoming challenges. Future developments should focus on refining the scorecard and expanding its application to address emerging needs, ensuring its ongoing effectiveness in the fight against corruption. 

By adopting the ACCRS and implementing strategies to reduce donor dependency and foster collaboration, anti-corruption coalitions can strengthen their resilience, ensure long-term sustainability, and maximize their impact in creating a transparent, accountable, and corruption-free future. Through collective action, we can forge a path towards a better society for all.

Call to Action  

We would like to encourage NGOs and community-based organizations (CBO) to utilize the ACCRS to assess their readiness for coalition engagement. The Anti-Corruption Coalition Readiness Scorecard is a powerful tool to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, areas for improvement, and support needs. Together, we can make a significant difference in combating corruption and building a more just and equitable society.

We also request the support of the World Bank as a key stakeholder in this vital initiative in this global fight against corruption. As we all know, corruption poses a significant threat to social and economic development, undermining trust, eroding institutions, and hindering progress. It is crucial for us to come together and take a stand against corruption. 

We will work to ensure the inclusion of the ACCRS as a recommended or mandatory assessment tool in relevant policies, guidelines, and funding frameworks.

Download the Anti-Corruption Coalition Readiness Scorecard (ACCRS) here.

Accountability Lab