ANTI- CORRUPTION TOOLKIT FOR CIVIC ACTIVISTS

Leveraging research, advocacy and the media to push for effective reform Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists Lead Authors: Angel Sharma, Milica Djuric, Anna Downs and Abigail Bellows

Contributing Writers: Prakhar Sharma, Dina Sadek, Elizabeth Donkervoort and Eguiar Lizundia Copyright © 2020 International Republican Institute. All rights reserved.

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This publication was made possible through the support provided by the National Endowment for Democracy. TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 1

Module 1: Research Methods and Security 2

Information and Evidence Gathering 4 Open Source 4 Government-Maintained Records 5 Interviews and In-Person Research 7 Understanding Context 8 Political Economy Analysis (PEA) 8 Security Considerations 10 Understanding the Legal Context 10 Digital Security 10 Physical Security 13

Module 2: Advocacy, Collaboration and Setting Priorities 13

Advocacy Campaigns 13 The Importance of Advocacy 13 Defining Desired Outcomes 15 Planning an Advocacy Campaign 15 Building Strategic Relationships 18 Why Build Relationships? 18 Who Should Be Involved? 19 How to Reach Out to Potential Collaborators 20 Working with Collaborators 20 Developing Partnerships 23 Coalition Building with Civil Society Actors 23 How to Collaborate in a Coalition 25 Decision-Making Processes 25 Creating an Agenda for Reform 27 Recommended Steps for Developing a Reform Agenda 27 What’s Next? 31 IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists iv

Module 3: Communications and the Media 33

Developing a Communications Strategy 33 Outlining a Communications Plan 33 Understanding the Local Environment 34 Media Options and Outreach 34 Local Media 35 International Media 35 Social Media 36 Preparing Information for Release 37 Press Releases 37 Press Conferences 38 Reaching Decision-Makers 40 Writing a Policy Paper 40

Appendix 43

SAMPLE MEETING AGENDA – Initial Collaboration Meeting 43 SAMPLE ACTION PLAN 43 SAMPLE COMMUNICATION PLAN BETWEEN COLLABORATORS 44 DEEP DIVE: Effective Consensus Building 45 IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 1

context. Some sections will be more relevant than others for your work right now. For INTRODUCTION example, in some environments there is Grand corruption increases poverty and widespread information about corruption, social inequality, enables human rights but the challenge is marshalling the political violations and exacerbates economic will to respond to it — so the focus might be underdevelopment. Widespread corruption on the partnership-building, advocacy and also undermines faith in democracy, which communications components of Modules 2 can fuel authoritarianism and terrorist and 3. In other settings, there is significant recruitment. Civil society and the international complacency or ignorance about corruption, community have played an important role so it might be important to start with hard- in exposing and advocating against public hitting exposés of corruption using the tools corruption, which often goes unpunished. in Module 1 to galvanize public attention and In order to support these indigenous efforts, spark interest in further civic action. Reflect on the International Republican Institute (IRI) has your local context, and what is most needed developed this Anti-Corruption Toolkit for there, as you delve into various sections of Civic Activists. the Toolkit.

Who Can Use This Toolkit? Defining Grand Corruption This Toolkit is specifically built for civic This Toolkit is specifically aimed at combatting activists, or any individuals attempting grand corruption, defined by Transparency to advocate for social or political change International as the abuse of high-level through collective discussion, organization power by the few at the expense of the and action. Civic activists may be involved in many, causing serious and widespread collective action as members of civil society harm to individuals and society, while often 1 organizations (CSOs), which can operate going unpunished. This type of corruption either as grassroots groups sustained by typically involves widespread bribery and volunteers or as professionalized groups embezzlement schemes or other large- powered by staff. This Toolkit is oriented scale siphoning of public funds by corrupt toward the former — local community- government leaders and officials, such as based organizations that are beginning heads of states and ministers, for personal anti-corruption activities. This Toolkit is also gain. At its extreme, it can manifest as “state aimed at journalists and others investigating capture,” in which public institutions are fully corruption as part of independent media coopted for the purpose of private interests groups. It includes a compilation of tools, and profit. Grand corruption stands in contrast strategies and tips for civic actors to with “petty” or localized corruption, such target, streamline and amplify their efforts as service-delivery and small “facilitation” to denounce corruption and promote payments that individuals may be forced to meaningful reform. pay to accelerate a government transaction.

How to Use This Toolkit Methodology This Toolkit is a resource that you can use To inform the scope of the Toolkit, IRI to develop an approach to combatting conducted interviews with civil society corruption that is tailored to your local representatives and anti-corruption activists in Iraq and the Maldives to determine their

1 “What is Grand Corruption and How Can We Stop It?” Transparency International, 21 Sept. 2016, transparency.org/news/feature/what_is_grand_ corruption_and_how_can_we_stop_it. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 2

level of preparedness to counter grand Defining Goals and Mitigating Risk corruption and kleptocratic networks. At the beginning of your research, it is IRI interviewed representatives from 14 important to clarify the strategic objectives CSOs in the Maldives and 10 CSOs in Iraq. behind it. Possible goals might be to: (1) Furthermore, IRI conducted desk research on document the human costs of corruption in anti-corruption issues in both countries, as order to galvanize public pressure for reform; well as ways in which civil society responded (2) uncover the mechanics of corruption — to instances of large-scale grand corruption. who is involved in a corrupt network and how IRI also consulted experts on anti-corruption the network operates — in order to inform civic movements and incorporated their advocacy efforts; or (3) compile dossiers perspectives into the content and structure of of corruption allegations to pass to trusted this Toolkit. foreign law enforcement actors in order Based on the needs and interests of local to support accountability efforts. Defining actors as identified by the interview findings, why you are doing corruption research can combined with desk research and expertise increase the efficiency and impact of your provided by an external consultant, IRI work. created the three modules outlined in this It is also helpful to consider the risks of Toolkit as key areas for capacity building: (1) exposing corruption — not just to you Research Methods and Security; (2) Advocacy, personally, as discussed in the section Collaboration and Setting Priorities; and (3) on security below — but also to public Communications and the Media. attitudes toward issues of grand corruption. Greater awareness of corruption can end up increasing public cynicism, lowering voter turnout, breeding disillusionment with MODULE 1: government and, at an extreme, fueling the rise of authoritarian populists. To mitigate RESEARCH those risks, consider focusing not just on the problems of corruption but also on METHODS AND effective responses to it, whether domestic or international. It can be powerful to highlight SECURITY positive examples in which government officials are doing the right thing, which can Researching grand corruption can be complex, be a source of hope for citizens. You can also entailing tracking various actors and subjects, create a clear pathway for citizens to take and following convoluted pathways of assets action against corruption after reading the and financial flows. However, this research exposé, which gives your audience a sense of is often a prerequisite for informed and agency. targeted anti-corruption campaigns. This module is devoted to defining the research Leveraging Local Insights methods and tools that individuals or While this Toolkit focuses on high-level organizations can use to gain sufficient and corruption, perspectives from grassroots accurate data regarding corruption to lay the communities can provide essential insights groundwork for successful anti-corruption and are an important starting point. Citizens’ campaigns. The information collected can experiences of local bribery and service also potentially be submitted to domestic or delivery problems can reveal vertically foreign law-enforcement actors (where they integrated corruption schemes, which are pro-reform and trustworthy) for possible start from low-level bureaucrats and end legal or diplomatic action against alleged up implicating senior officials. Community perpetrators, such as sanctions under the U.S. insights into how and why specific corruption Global Magnitsky Act. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 3

problems persist can be paired with more „ Means of transport and vehicle ownership technical tools — as outlined below — for „ powerful and holistic investigations. Expensive celebrations and parties Once a potentially corrupt individual has Identifying Corruption been identified, your research should extend A “red flag” of corruption can emerge in to persons with whom they have strong relation to a particular sector or individual. ties, including family members and business At the sector level, there may be unusual associates. procurement practices — such as the government selecting a high bidder for a Developing an Investigative Theory project who is not better qualified, which Theory gives direction to the investigation, can raise suspicions of a kickback scheme. but it is important to remain flexible. The Or there may be systemic under-provision of first step should always be making an initial services in that sector or a specific region, in assessment of whether the alleged corrupt spite of an adequate budget allotment. conduct appears to be criminal in nature. In At the individual level, an indicator of graft some countries, an action will not necessarily may be public officials experiencing a be strictly illegal under local laws, but may substantial increase in their personal assets. still be corrupt and an improper use of Therefore, it is important to follow the public funds. The second step is identifying money or other forms of benefits to identify elements needed to prove that the corrupt public officials who may have profited from act was committed. Finally, the third step is corruption, as well as those who might be to try to anticipate possible gaps in evidence supplying or enabling the illicit payments. and legal challenges — and build your case to To that end, the following sources of avoid them. information should be considered. Look for sudden increases in assets and purchases of Choosing Investigative Methods luxury goods that exceed officials’ estimated Determining which investigative tools to use income, using:2 depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of the alleged violations, the type of „ Tax returns and financial disclosure forms investigation conducted and the resources „ Credit-card accounts and loan available. It is a normal progression to go applications from simple to complex, with information from initial steps, such as gathering open- „ Employment records, including employee source information, social media posts and salaries and perks metadata, analyzing government-maintained „ Travel, foreign bank accounts and records, leading up to conducting interviews overseas properties with human sources and witnesses, and the potential use of more advanced financial „ Real-estate records and home ownership investigations.3 Various methods, some „ School fees and other financial support of noted below, should be mixed and used as children appropriate.

2 “Best Practices in Investigating and Prosecuting Corruption: Using Financial Flow Tracking Techniques and Financial Intelligence.” Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Anticorruption and Transparency Working Group, Sept. 2015, apec.org/Publications/2015/10/Best-Practices-in-Investigating-and-Prosecuting- Corruption. 3 “Investigation and Prosecution of Corruption Offences: Materials for the Training Course.” Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2012, oecd.org/corruption/acn/lawenforcement/TrainingManualcorruptionoffences2012EN.pdf. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 4

Information and Evidence A Boolean conjunctive query expands or Gathering narrows search engine results based on the inclusion or exclusion of phrases or keywords. Open Source The most common search tools are OR, Gathering available open-source information AND and NOT, which are used between is the first and most approachable step of the words or phrases to target search results. data collection process on corruption. The More information on Boolean tools can be key to using open sources is to know where found at booleanblackbelt.com/2008/12/ to look and which tools to use. Online search basic-boolean-search-operators-and-query- engines are powerful tools when searches modifiers-explained/. are targeted using Boolean conjunctive queries and conducted in all relevant languages. However, search engines are not „ Deep-web investigations: The deep web comprehensive in their results and not all comprises information that cannot be websites are searchable. To ensure available accessed through a conventional web open-source evidence is not overlooked, search. Tor Browser is free software researchers should identify and search the and an open network that allows following online sources directly: both the individual browsing and the „ Local and international news publications webpage hosts to remain anonymous. Tor is especially useful for journalists „ Political opposition media and blogs and activists in countries that impose „ Archived and historic websites (which can restrictions on their citizens’ internet be accessed using free tools like Wayback access and freedom of expression. Machine or CachedView) Note that key information may be obtained „ Subscription databases (LexisNexis, by searching existing databases of leaked which contains news articles and information (e.g., the Panama Papers as criminal financial and litigation records; linked above), which are consolidated by Bloomberg Law, which contains business, civic activists and investigative journalists financial and litigation records) specifically to provide evidence of corruption or illicit financial flows, in order to hold their „ Leaked-information databases (Offshore governments and officials accountable to the Leaks, which contains information from global public. the Paradise Papers, Panama Papers and Bahama Leaks; Luanda Leaks; Investiga Research teams should ensure their Lava Jato) research is saved and well documented, and continuously download and screenshot information so that it is preserved offline. Articles, blog posts and websites are often altered or deleted and may be forcibly removed by political elites.

Bellingcat is a website founded by investigative journalists that publishes citizen investigations about war zones and criminal networks. It offers resources that go into great depth on digital forensic techniques including, for example, using satellite imagery to track infrastructure projects or how to track flight records to identify when individuals under investigation are leaving the country. More information and other useful tools can be found at bellingcat.com/category/resources/how-tos/. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 5

Social Media Investigations TIP Online research into corruption is not When combing through social media complete without conducting searches looking for critical pieces of information, of social media platforms. Much of the do not focus only on written forms of information housed in social media pages is information such as comments. Pay not searchable through search engines such attention to any photographs, graphics, as Google, and thus direct searches within maps or other visual parts of social media relevant platforms ensure that critical pieces posts. Social media images host a vast of information or evidence of corruption are wealth of information and may be the only not missed. When monitoring social media medium through which accusations or websites, your team should be on the lookout evidence of corruption are available. for the following types of information related to corruption: „ Direct allegations of corruption — These by two independent sources, but this is may be found in comments on articles, especially true as it relates to information posts on government social media pages gathered online. It is easy for any actor to meant for feedback, or posts by political create and amplify content online, alleging, groups or watchdog organizations on for instance, that a particular official is their social media pages. corrupt. Paid-for followers and fake accounts „ Evidence of cronyism or nepotism — can then like, retweet or otherwise seem to These may include photographs or validate the information, even if it is entirely connections on Facebook, LinkedIn and manufactured. As such, stories or allegations other social media platforms that show from online sources should be seen as part relationships or networks of relationships of an investigation, rather than as evidence in between public officials and private and of themselves. businesspeople.

„ Signs of bribery — These may include posts made by public officials showing off A hoax is false news delivered as truth, which unusually high levels of wealth, such as lacks sources and cannot be verified. Hoaxes photographs of expensive sports cars or misrepresent reality, manipulate facts and lavish vacations. are intentionally used to destroy credibility, achieve political agendas and influence public Some social media sites may alert the opinion. subject of an investigation that their profiles are being monitored. Investigators and researchers should be aware of this risk and use anonymous accounts when possible. The Government-Maintained Records investigation team should also be aware of Depending on the jurisdiction in which your the specific risks associated with each social research team is operating, there are many media website. LinkedIn requires a login potential sources of official and government- and alerts users when their profile has been maintained data that can point to corruption. viewed and by whom, while Twitter can be Information such as officials’ asset-disclosure accessed without a login and does not alert forms may be subject to access-to- subjects to specific views. information laws and, thus, are required to Beware of Online Disinformation be available to the public. This data is usually housed in online databases or physical It is always important to ensure that files at ministry offices or a combination of information gathered is verified, preferably both. Researchers should be aware of local IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 6

Corruption Indicators in Records

If you know what to look for, government records can be indicators of corruption, and in certain cases may even provide direct evidence of improper behavior. For example, many nations collect and publish data regarding government procurement bids and contracts, including award amounts and vendor qualifications. By analyzing this information, you may identify irregular patterns in tenders or contract awards, including too-short bidding windows, contracts with single bidders or inflated vendor prices.

The Global Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (ACE) research program has compiled a supplementary list of red flags, which may be useful for your team to review as you are researching, and can be found at ace.globalintegrity.org/redflag/. These indicators, in isolation or combination, hint at possible kickbacks or under-the-table payments made to public officials by vendors in order to improperly win government contracts.

Another indicator of possible corruption that can be found in government-maintained records — specifically company registration records — is improper company ownership and conflicts of interests of public officials. For example, a public official in the national ministry of health may also be a shareholder in a private medical company that receives government contracts. In many cases, the company’s true ownership may be intentionally concealed through multiple layers of parent companies, or by registering a proxy such as a spouse or sibling as the owner of or shareholder in the company. In some cases, government-maintained records can provide direct hard evidence of corruption. However, in most cases these records provide simple indicators of potential corruption, which can be used to direct and target additional research by your team. record-keeping practices and the quality of and limit information given to government available government data. They should also employees regarding the nature of their think critically about any gaps in government record requests. records, which can be due to a variety of One risk with requesting government records reasons, including purposeful neglect and is that those with friendships or relationships secrecy in order to obscure corruption. with the subject of your inquiry might be Records are also often missing due to periods present and will alert the subject. Note of political instability or general government that the higher the profile of a company, disorganization, and thus this cannot always organization or individual whose records you be attributed to deliberate malfeasance. are trying to access, the higher the risk and Physical Records possibility your information request will be denied. In addition, prepare team members Although many types of research into for the possibility that a government official corruption can be done online, you may need will ask for a bribe or off-the-record payment to pull records that are only kept in physical in order to supply information. files at government offices. Determine if this is true for your jurisdiction and identify the Government Databases corresponding registrars and clerks through In addition to physical offices, some whom you can access relevant physical governments now house the following types records. Team members should be carefully of information in publicly available online trained before visiting government offices, databases: as the risks to in-person investigation can be high. Team members should remain as „ Company registration and ownership anonymous as possible during these inquiries, records IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 7

„ Procurement and government contracts „ Low-level government employees such as port or customs officials „ Public and private financial information „ High-level government employees such „ Civil and criminal litigation and case files as ministers and elected politicians

In some cases, government-maintained When gathering information from databases may only be accessed by interviewees, the team should aim to strike a government employees, accountants or legal balance between those who know the subject professionals. In such circumstances, the of the investigation well and those who may team should reach out to the corresponding be willing to speak candidly. For example, organization and those who may be able to when making inquiries into an individual’s access records for it. Note that professional conduct, current coworkers, close friends record-pulling services are standard in and family members may refuse to provide many jurisdictions and are usually offered in information, and may alert the subject that exchange for payment. However, before hiring they are being investigated. In contrast, a third party to pull records, your team should former colleagues or those who have casually attempt to access government databases done business with a potentially corrupt directly. Many databases are publicly individual may be willing and able to provide accessible and offer free or low-cost searches candid and pertinent information. In all cases, of stored information. Although gathering it is important to reflect on the motivation of information via government databases the individual who is disclosing information is usually low risk, be aware that some and whether their interests are aligned with government agencies may track website your own. traffic and identify repeat visitors. To mitigate the risk that your team is Validating Information identified in relation to sensitive research, use Before contacting sources, investigators a virtual private network (VPN) to disguise should determine what questions they need your Internet Protocol (IP) address, and be to ask in order to round out the data they cautious when downloading files. In addition, have already collected via other means. In researchers should be aware that databases some cases, sources may validate information may require a login, and thus their personal already collected, while in other cases information, including name, email and sources may provide information that is address, may be recorded and connected incongruous with other evidence gathered to their inquiry. In these cases, determine during the investigation. When information whether the search is worth disclosure of your is contradictory, the following questions may personal information and, if not, whether you help in determining its validity: might obtain the information via other means. „ How well does the interviewee know the Interviews and In-Person Research subject? Depending on your team’s capabilities, „ Can the information the interviewee is capacity and connections, you may decide it is providing be found independently in appropriate to conduct inquiries on a subject another source? through in-person interviews with individuals. When identifying potential interviewees, look „ Is the interviewee directly privy to the for individuals who might have information event or person they are describing, or is about the alleged corruption. These sources the information secondhand? may include: „ Is the interviewee engaging in speculation „ Neighbors or conveying rumors?

„ Current or former business associates IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 8

„ Is the interviewee politically motivated to interaction and political and economic provide negative or positive information? competition. Are they trying to protect themselves „ from being implicated in corruption? The impact of values and ideas, including political ideologies, religion and cultural Information from interviewees can be highly beliefs, on political behavior and public valuable but should be verified from multiple policy. sources. In this way, a PEA helps us understand how Understanding Context incentives, institutions and ideas shape political action and development outcomes in Political Economy Analysis (PEA) the country whose corruption issues we are What is a PEA? analyzing. According to the OECD Development What Fundamental Elements Characterize a Assistance Committee (DAC), “Political PEA? economy analysis is concerned with the There are four fundamental crosscutting interaction of political and economic components of a PEA: processes in a society; including the distribution of power and wealth between 1. Stakeholder analysis: A PEA typically groups and individuals, and the processes includes a mapping of key stakeholder that create, sustain and transform these groups and their relation and influence relationships over time.” over the policy process, with a view toward identifying factors, incentives Although a political economy analysis (PEA) and actors that are likely to support or can be conducted using many different oppose the reform process. Incentives methodologies, what all approaches have in arising from the international community common is that they explore the link between and aid-assistance practices can figure political factors, economic conditions and in this analysis. For example, one may institutions, and specific countries’ historical list foreign-owned companies that may context. A PEA is focused on analyzing formal support more transparent procurement and informal factors affecting political will, processes and reform. as well as the ways in which an increase in transparency can be affected in the given 2. Analysis of the broad political context: country context. Factors shaping the major features of a political system, such as territorial Why Are PEAs Important and How Are They integrity, history of state formation, Useful? sources of revenues, and social and Conducting a PEA will help you gain a deeper economic structures, are important to understanding of the local environment and consider, from both a historical and a map out the following: contemporary perspective. For example, your team might want to analyze the local „ The interests and incentives facing economy and which sectors, such as oil different groups in society (and and gas, may have major political power. particularly political elites), and how these generate specific policy outcomes that 3. Analysis of formal and informal may encourage or hinder development. institutions: Reforms that are not firmly rooted in local culture and institutions „ The role that formal institutions (e.g., generally fail to trigger local ownership. those responsible for rule of law, A PEA usually looks at the dimensions of elections) and informal social, political the political system that affect the quality and cultural norms play in shaping human of governance, including formal and IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 9

informal institutions and factors, nature CORRUPTION-SPECIFIC PEAs and extent of political competition, distribution of powers between the When completing a PEA in order to various groups of society, etc. determine local factors that affect corruption and your campaign, 4. Identifying and managing risks: Risk your team may ask the following assessment is an essential part of a PEA questions: of reforms, with a special emphasis given z to the potential losers and winners of the How is corruption defined reform process. Assessing the potential legally in your country? impact of reforms on various groups of z Where is corruption present — society may be an important dimension at which levels of government? of this exercise, as policy change may z Is the general public resigned affect different socioeconomic groups or actively fighting corruption? differently and trigger tension, conflicts z and resistance to change. What local conditions enable or limit opportunities for How Can Conducting a PEA Prepare Your corruption (e.g., economic Team for Successful Anti-Corruption Work? recessions, food scarcities, climate emergencies, violent „ Understanding how to generate political conflict, regime change)? will — a PEA maps incentives and accompanying institutional structures z Are existing local anti- corruption laws actually „ Identifying the potential “winners” and implemented in practice? “losers” if anti-corruption reform is implemented — a PEA can be a road In order to answer the above map toward who will be the pro-reform questions, your team should stakeholders and the spoilers during your complete political research, including advocacy campaign looking at existing anti-corruption analysis tools such as the Global „ Understanding drivers of corruption Corruption Barometer (GCB) created „ Providing maps of the corruption-related by Transparency International. The issue GCB surveys individuals globally in order to determine their agreement „ Informing your research design with statements such as “ordinary people can make a difference in the What Are the Components of an Anti- fight against corruption.” Corruption PEA? „ Structural analysis — economic, social structures, natural resources, „ Identification of the issue or process to geopolitical position consider | At the country level „ Mapping weaknesses that underlie the | At the level of the municipality problem/issue — what institutional factors enable this problem to occur? „ Institutional analysis — what institutions/ laws are in place „ Political economy drivers — why are things we observe the way they are? | National

| Subnational – state and local IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 10

Determine a Methodological Approach negative backlash to publicizing corruption Data-collection techniques could include: and develop risk-mitigation strategies. These semi-structured and open-ended interviews considerations should be explicitly discussed with key informants, document analysis, with all relevant team members. institutional analysis and mapping, Understanding the Legal Context stakeholder analysis, mind maps, actor- network analysis, policy mapping and The first step in protecting yourself is ranking, visioning, power analysis, historical researching all applicable laws, including laws timelines, Venn diagrams, social maps, regarding access to public information, private preference ranking, strategy-flow diagrams, property, libel and slander, and the restrictions and cause-effect diagrams.4 on content that many repressive countries tend to impose. For example, countries Security Considerations like Ethiopia consider the mere coverage of opposition groups to be an anti-state crime, Assessing the Risks and China imprisons writers who are critical Once you are ready to start the investigation, of the central government or the Communist it is important to know the dangers you Party of China (CPC). Organizations like IRI might face as you move forward. You need to may be able to assist with providing legal assess the risks that may arise and mitigate information. those risks through an effective safety plan. Community groups and media organizations Your team members should consider their may face several forms of backlash. The most holistic security, which includes digital and common form of attack after corruption is reputational risks as well as psychosocial exposed is threatened or actual legal action. welfare, rather than just physical and legal These lawsuits include civil and criminal risks. A helpful resource on this is the Holistic litigation alleging libel, defamation or the Security Manual, created by the international release of classified information. This legal nongovernmental organization (NGO) backlash may be baseless; however, it takes Tactical Technology Collective specifically for significant time and money to dismiss. As local civil society actors. At the start of your such, your team should complete a legal project, review the manual and discuss with review of your story before publication in your teammates how to develop a strong order to mitigate the risk of lawsuits that can holistic security plan. Before embarking on cripple your team and impede your ability to any potentially dangerous investigations, achieve desired outcomes. thoroughly research the context and consult with trustworthy local contacts to assess risks Digital Security and develop procedures to lower your risk if Digital security should be a central you decide to pursue the project. consideration for any activist or organization When partnering with outside organizations, working on research related to corruption. make sure to share your plans to mitigate Breaches in digital security can put risk so that your partners are also better sources, the integrity of research, or a protected and use best practices. For campaign, organizations, individuals and example, if an activist group is passing associates at risk. We strongly recommend investigative materials to a media partner for a comprehensive digital security audit that dissemination, jointly consider the potential helps you understand your specific threat environment and calculate appropriate

4 Moncrieffe, Joy and Cecilia Luttrell, “An Analytical Framework for Understanding the Political Economy of Sectors and Policy Arenas.” Overseas Development Institute, 2005, odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/3898.pdf. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 11

trade-offs around mitigating those threats new device or in a new location. This may take — particularly if you live in a repressive the form of an alert to your phone using an environment with limited legal protections. authenticator app, a text message or requiring A number of resources exist to help you a physical key. Multi-factor authentication conduct such an audit, including AccessNow’s is the easiest way to prevent bad actors Digital Security Helpline. There are some from hijacking your accounts or accessing simple steps you can take to improve your information and deters most attacks. security right now. Store Files on the Cloud Use Encrypted Messaging Storing your files with a trusted cloud Free, user-friendly encrypted messaging service provider is a far more secure option apps such as Signal can go a long way toward than storing documents on your personal protecting both you and your sources. End- computer or server. With security threats to-end encryption ensures that the only constantly evolving and becoming more access point to the information included in sophisticated, cloud service providers offer the message is on the devices of the sender much stronger protection compared to a and the recipient. Signal also includes a personal hard drive or office server due to number of other useful security features, their abundant technical resources, expertise including not storing metadata (which can and technical staff working to defend against encompass all information except the content attacks on their networks. Cloud storage also of the message) and auto-deleting messages provides an additional backstop against data after a set time period. Other encrypted loss if an individual device is compromised. messaging apps include WhatsApp, Line Comprehensive office security systems such and Telegram. However, Signal is considered as G Suite and Microsoft 365 offer secure the most reliable app for end-to-end cloud storage, as do DropBox and Box. encrypted communication, which means that communications can only be deciphered if Use a Password Manager someone has physical access to the devices As hackers become more sophisticated, of the communicating users. Even if a maintaining strong and up-to-date passwords government tried to compel the developers of that are not reused across different services Signal to turn over information, they would be is a must. But for researchers who use unable to do so; the application is configured numerous online services and databases, in a way that does not collect information on this can become burdensome; memorizing what you are doing on the platform. a series of complex and ever-changing End-to-end encryption is also available for passwords is not feasible, and storing them email and is advisable for those who rely on your computer or in your email makes on email for sensitive communication or them prone to fall into the hands of hackers. file sharing. ProtonMail is the most popular This problem can be solved by using an encrypted email service. encrypted password manager, which can both generate and manage passwords for you. Free For file sharing, the following services provide tools such as KeePassXC and LastPass provide local encryption prior to upload: SpiderOak, highly secure, open-source software relying Keybase Filesystem, Tresorit and Jungle Disk. on encryption to protect your passwords from many potential avenues of attack. Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication Multi-factor authentication is easy to use Use a VPN and easy to turn on for most services. In Any digital work done by the research addition to requiring a password, multi-factor team, including open-source research, authentication will prompt another verification communications, publications and data of identity if, for instance, you sign in from a transfers, should be conducted using a virtual IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 12

private network (VPN), which masks the IP and smartphone at a safe location and carry address of the user and makes it harder to “burner phones” and a cheap netbook that do identify the location and identity of an internet not contain any sensitive data. user. However, be aware that although using a VPN is a risk mitigator, it is not a guarantee of Encrypt Hard Drives digital security, and VPN companies provide One of the most efficient methods of differing levels of security and services, such ensuring that your hard drive is fully as encryption. encrypted beforehand is to activate the built- in encryption programs available on most Don’t Join Public Wi-Fi Mac iOS and some Windows devices. Once Avoid the use of public Wi-Fi networks encryption is activated, only those with the whenever possible. While public Wi-Fi is often device’s passphrase will be able to access its free and readily available, public networks can files and, if the device is stolen, its contents easily be used by attackers to infiltrate your will be permanently inaccessible to the third devices, monitor your online activities and party. If your laptop does not have this built- distribute malware across unsecured public in feature, an open-source program called networks. Security on public Wi-Fi networks is VeraCrypt can add an additional layer of often lax or even nonexistent, and can expose encryption so that even if malign actors get your device and data to attacks, leave your access to your hard drive, your information is accounts vulnerable to hijacking and expose safely stored on a virtual encrypted disk. your online activities to malicious actors. If you must use public Wi-Fi, be sure to use Shield Your Screen from Prying Eyes a VPN, disable file sharing, and log out of In addition to not opening sensitive files or accounts when not in use to protect against messages in public spaces, privacy screens — intruders and electronic surveillance as much films that you place over your laptop screen or as possible. phone — can limit the extent to which people can engage in over-the-shoulder spying. Protect Your Devices Much of the above advice focuses Password-Protect Devices and Apps on protecting your information and Create a password for your devices that is correspondence from electronic surveillance hard to guess and will prevent unauthorized or hacking. However, it is also important to individuals from gaining access to the device. protect your physical devices, particularly smartphones, laptops, desktops and external Beware of Location Tracking hard drives. Most devices and many apps come with Journalists and researchers are often in the location-tracking features, which can be habit of keeping a lot of sensitive material, useful when you are trying to figure out including leaked documents, identities of directions or if you have misplaced your their sources or unpublished drafts stored phone. However, location data can be easily on their laptops, messaging apps or work hacked — particularly through applications, portals. In light of that, governments are which often have security vulnerabilities. As especially keen to obtain covert access to such, turn your devices onto airplane mode or, electronic devices and copy their contents. even better, leave them behind when going to A particularly risky situation is going through sensitive locations or meeting with sources. a border crossing where electronic devices The Role of Public Support are subjected to regular security scrutiny and covert inspections are easier to conceal. For Civic activists speaking out on corruption can this reason, when traveling abroad it is highly mitigate their security risks by proactively recommended to leave your primary laptop building public support for their work, which IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 13

can serve as an asset and safeguard as their researchers covering corruption frequently work gains attention.5 Another common face threats to their lives and freedom, and mitigation strategy is building coalitions with experience relatively high rates of retaliatory other civic organizations, which facilitates violence. According to the Committee to the sharing of information and strategies Protect Journalists (CPJ), nine in 10 work- regarding digital security threats. related fatalities for journalists since 1992 involved local journalists covering news in their home countries, and more than 95 percent of journalists jailed worldwide are OTHER USEFUL DIGITAL SAFETY local reporters, photojournalists, bloggers and RESOURCES editors.6 The need for thorough preparation z Citizen Lab’s Security Planner: and security planning is especially relevant This planner helps you create a for civic actors who face many of the same personalized action plan to protect security risks as the domestic reporters with yourself on a variety of digital whom they are working, but many times portals. without the same protections provided by more formal and well-established z PEN America’s Online organizations. All the above forms of potential Harassment Field Manual: negative backlash, including physical attacks, Learn how to prepare for online should be understood and mitigated during harassment, how to respond and the initial planning phase. Doing so can limit what are the appropriate legal the dangers to your team and increase the considerations in case you want to likelihood that you will be able to achieve the involve authorities. impact you seek. z Toolkit for Journalists Dealing with Hate Campaigns: Created by a Finnish journalist, this guide details what you should do if you MODULE 2: are a target of a hate campaign. z Access Now’s Self-Doxing Guide: ADVOCACY, This guide will show you how to search information about COLLABORATION yourself that is already available on the internet, learn what AND SETTING your vulnerabilities are and take appropriate action. PRIORITIES Advocacy Campaigns The Importance of Advocacy Physical Security Civic activists and CSOs seeking to impact Your team and media partners may face policy debates need to pursue strategic threats or acts of physical violence from advocacy campaigns. Research and analysis offended parties. Domestic journalists and alone will be fruitless if that expertise does

5 “Gaining Ground: A Framework for Developing Strategies and Tactics in Response to Governmental Attacks on NGOs.” International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations, 2017, inclo.net/pdf/gaining-ground.pdf. 6 “CPJ Journalist Security Guide.” Committee to Protect Journalists, 2012, cpj.org/reports/2012/04/basic-preparedness.php#2. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 14

not reach policymakers — which is where a tailored advocacy approach becomes crucial. FORMS OF ADVOCACY Advocacy can be done for those affected by a situation, with those affected and by z Survey/opinion poll those affected. Each approach may be valid z Policy research based on the local situation; however, your z Networking team should prioritize involving those most impacted by corruption. Individuals in this z Coalitions or networks group often have the most insight into the z Workshop problem at hand and often already have z Roundtable ideas about how to address it. This includes ensuring that your team expands beyond z Conference elites, who often speak for disenfranchised z Website groups without partnering with them directly, z Theater which can contribute to a breakdown of local trust and perceived legitimacy. Consider z TV or radio drama how your advocacy approach can apply the z Letter writing following principles. z Pamphlets z Flyers Advocacy is a systematic and strategic z Poster campaign approach to influencing governmental and z Newsletter institutional policy and practice change. z Exposure tour z Lobbying z Petitions Accountability z Public forum Accountability in advocacy is about z Press release acknowledging and assuming responsibility z Press conference for advocacy messages, decisions and actions. We are accountable to all those who z Court cases are affected by the situation. z March Legitimacy z Strike Legitimacy in advocacy is about ensuring that the advocate has the authority to advocate. A legitimate advocate has a stake in the by the issue. It is about consultation and problem. They may be directly affected by the cooperation to make sure that everyone who issue or have a genuine reason for advocating wants to participate is given opportunities to on behalf of someone else. Your power as an be included throughout the advocacy process. advocate may come from the people you (or your partners) can mobilize, the rigor of your Representation research and recommendations and/or the Representation in advocacy is about ensuring international networks you can mobilize. that, when advocacy is done on behalf of other people, the views of those people are Participation accurately and fairly reflected at all stages. It Participation in advocacy is about involving is about communicating with those affected all the people interested in and/or affected to ensure that they are aligned with advocacy IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 15

messages, decisions and actions taken on may involve media outreach, public protests their behalf. or direct action to rally public support for your team’s demands. Thus, it is key that your Defining Desired Outcomes team defines the above three variables before Based on the evidence your team has mounting a communications or advocacy collected in Module 1, you can start campaign, so that you can direct your formulating an advocacy approach. As a first outreach effectively in order to channel public step, your team should define the following opinion or outrage toward influencing major variables using the questions outlined below: decision-makers who can enact change.

1. Demand: What outcome will fix the Planning an Advocacy Campaign problem you’ve identified? Does When planning advocacy campaigns, consider this outcome involve appropriate your team’s strengths — such as the ability punishments for past or current to mobilize lots of people within a particular perpetrators of corruption? Does it region or demographic, or the ability to tell involve preventing future corruption? compelling stories about the impact of this 2. Decision-maker: Who has the power corruption problem. Also consider your to agree to your demands? Who has team’s limitations in order to be as strategic the power or capabilities to formally and targeted as possible. Your team may prosecute corrupt officials? Who can be new to advocacy work, have limited enact legislation to prevent corruption? resources or be unable to manage multiple campaigns simultaneously. Additionally, 3. Deadline: When should these outcomes conducting an advocacy campaign can be a be achieved? When should the decision- long-term process to produce change. Based makers be held accountable to deliver on your strengths and limitations, hone your change? “demands” to focus on the one or two key Based on the above, your team can escalate changes that are your top priority. In doing so, pressure through a multi-step campaign. take time to first analyze the problem you are Usually, the first step is to notify the decision- addressing to gain a deeper understanding maker of your demand and deadline, or how of where change may be most possible, and by when you want them to act. After transformational and lasting in the local this initial step, if the decision-maker ignores environment.7 the demands, your team’s strategy needs to The following guidelines will help you plan shift from direct communication to building your advocacy campaign and build out the outside pressure on the decision-maker. This

ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES GENERALLY ACHIEVE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING z Develop evidence for your argument or core message (e.g., research, policy analysis, attending conferences, engaging with experts and academics). z Put your case to decision-makers directly (e.g., lobbying, meetings, events and roundtables). z Build pressure or momentum for change (e.g., alliance or coalition building, media briefings and marches).

7 Ross, Jenny. “Advocacy: A Guide for Small and Diaspora NGOs.” The Peer Learning Programme for Small and Diaspora Organisations, Oct. 2013, intrac.org/ wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Advocacy_A-Guide-for-Small-and-Diaspora-Organisations-1.pdf. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 16

timing and organization of the advocacy „ How can you persuade them to be process. interested in your advocacy objective?

Identify and Analyze the Problem „ How can you help urge decision-making processes to address the current „ What problem do you intend to address? obstacles and generate the momentum „ Are you trying to expose a specific to push the process in the desired corrupt official or address grand direction? corruption more systemically? Determine Your Policy Advocacy Target „ What is the source of the problem? (Is „ Who are the decision-makers with real the corruption the result of need — e.g., power to bring about the change that you salaries are too low — or greed? Who is seek? benefiting from the corrupt status quo?) „ Who in particular could influence them? Identify Obstacles and Challenges „ What existing obstacles or challenges Include Data and Research in Your Advocacy may cause your demand or proposal to „ What kind of data really supports your be declined? analysis?

„ How can you have access to target „ How can you influence the policymaking policymakers? process through producing convincing evidence to enrich the current debate? Determine Your Advocacy Objective(s) „ What advocacy goal or demand do you Promote and Send Advocacy Messages want to achieve? „ How is your problem perceived by your target decision-makers and what „ Is it possible to achieve it within fixed potential solutions, if any, are they time constraints? suggesting? „ Is there a reason to believe that your „ What messages can you transmit to your objective will address the problem you target decision-makers to help them care about? question their own position and act on „ Is this an issue where there is a your behalf? plausible chance of success? (Are there „ To what extent is your message constituencies that do or could be accessible and relevant to both elite and brought to care about the issue?) grassroots target audiences? „ Can you form a strong coalition from different groups to address the problem? Develop Relevant Presentations and Keep in Touch with Your Target Decision-Makers Build Networks and Coalitions „ When in contact with the decision-maker, „ Are you trying to increase the power of what will you tell him/her and how? constituencies that already support your „ When will you start your advocacy position? campaign? „ Have you built coalitions with influential „ How will you guarantee that your individuals and organizations to attain presentation is compelling and your objective? convincing? „ Who can you attract to join your cause or „ Who will lead your campaign and be the be your ally? external spokesman? IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 17

Lessons from Malaysia

Context: Historically, entrenched corruption as well as to incumbents and their in Malaysia has flourished as oversight political opponents, the intensity of institutions lack independence from the public discontentment regarding corruption. government. Inadequate protection for whistleblowers and a hostile attitude from Research, advocacy and persistence: the state toward civil society dissuade many Transparency International-Malaysia groups from pursuing high-profile corruption pursues long-term campaigns and relies on cases. Furthermore, a lack of financial close engagement with the government. autonomy pulls NGOs toward work on less A particular focus over the past decade controversial donor priorities. Groups that do has been political finance reform. After take on grand corruption often struggle to extensive research, TI-M submitted 22 make these abstract issues salient to average recommendations to the Prime Minister’s citizens. Office in 2011. This intervention was met with little enthusiasm. In 2013, the ruling Turning point: 1Malaysia Development coalition lost parliamentary seats. After Berhad (1MDB) was an investment firm weakening politically, the government meant to benefit the Malaysian people. became more open to considering reform, Instead, former Prime Minister Najib Razak perhaps to bolster its image. Seismic misappropriated $3.5 billion from 1MDB change, however, occurred when the ruling — with the complicity of Goldman Sachs. coalition lost in 2018 and was replaced by In spite of attempts at a cover-up, intrepid a reformist government. TI-M’s political journalists discovered the 1MDB scandal, finance recommendations have now been aided by U.S. investigations. The Malaysian incorporated into government plans. Bar Association called for investigations, and The organization’s approach of research, the scandal played a decisive role in ending recommendations and waiting for political the ruling coalition’s 60-year grip on power openings paid off — eventually. in 2018. In July 2020, Razak was found guilty on seven corruption counts, sentenced to Coalition advocacy: In 2015, the Governance, up to 12 years in prison and fined nearly $50 Integrity, Accountability and Transparency million. The sentence was stayed pending coalition, of which TI-M is a member, appeal. submitted recommendations on reforms to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Civic mobilization: The Coalition for (MACC), aimed at increasing its power Clean and Fair Elections, better known as and independence. A series of roundtable Bersih, founded in 2006, consists of 84 discussions, media interviews and public NGOs cutting across ethnic, racial and forums sought to build momentum, yet religious lines. By relying on social media, the campaign found little traction with the the movement has been able to counter government — especially after the MACC state-controlled media. While the coalition chief commissioner was ousted, allegedly mainly focuses on free and fair elections, for attempting to indict Razak. Yet, in the landmark rallies held in 2015 and 2016 called run-up to the 2018 elections, the opposition for cleaner government in the wake of the incorporated some of the coalition’s 1MDB scandal. The protests galvanized recommendations into their platform as they public opinion, garnered the attention sought to distinguish themselves from the of international press and helped lay the ruling party. The coalition’s recommendations groundwork for the 2018 electoral defeat of were then incorporated in 2019 into the Razak. Bersih’s protests signaled to voters, National Anti-Corruption Plan, which includes IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 18

timelines for implementation. Progress has allegedly by the police. After a flawed trial already been made toward the execution of in Malaysian courts, at which Baginda recommendations on asset declaration and was acquitted, SUARAM filed a complaint political financing. with the French authorities in 2009. This action surfaced new information from Engaging external actors: In contexts of the French company, revealing additional impunity, securing legal accountability acts of corruption. Finally, in 2017, French for grand-corruption crimes in the home prosecutors indicted Baginda, validating jurisdiction can be near impossible. A SUARAM’s strategy. bold Malaysian NGO, SUARAM, pursued extraterritorial accountability in French Civic tech: Sinar Project focuses on the courts for a corruption scandal involving process and standards with which public the Scorpene submarine deal. In a 2002 infrastructure projects must comply to procurement contract between the Malaysian minimize corruption. It advocates for the Ministry of Defense and a French submarine release of public documents, ideally in open maker, at the time called DCNS, kickbacks data formats — which can be particularly were allegedly awarded to high-ranking challenging given Malaysia lacks a Freedom government officials, including a payment of Information Act. Based on Sinar’s of $126 million to the prime minister’s engagement, the government adopted adviser, Abdul Razak Baginda. A translator the Open Contracting Data Standard for for Baginda, who was also reportedly in procurement data. Sinar also developed a a relationship with him, became privy to database of politically exposed persons, the kickbacks and she was later murdered, which is now used by journalists.

Assess Your Advocacy Campaign through an networking process will increase your visibility After-Action Review and connect you with a larger number of „ What indicators show you that your active individuals. advocacy has achieved its objective? Start by identifying the purpose of your „ What have you learned and what would relationship-building work: Is it to gain you do differently? political power, research insights, or receive funding or societal support? Understanding „ Are changes sustainable? your networking goals enables you to strategically cultivate relationships with „ How can you deescalate and reconcile the right individuals. Try to identify areas with decision-makers with whom you of commonality with other individuals or may have had tension? organizations with whom you are networking „ What will you do to improve the to lay a strong foundation for potential strategies used to undertake your partnership. advocacy campaign? One approach can be to get involved in any governance-themed local associations, Building Strategic Relationships gatherings on democracy and development Why Build Relationships? or relevant professional associations. At such events, talk to people you know, Building strategic relationships with other introduce yourself to those you don’t know stakeholders can extend your organization’s and exchange contact information. When reach, expand your research, enable the meeting others, try to introduce yourself in a exchange of different ideas and pool memorable way, express curiosity about the resources in a complementary way. The IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 19

Example Case Study

In Indonesia, representatives from political parties, CSOs and business along with local elected officials, religious leaders and academics collaborated in a yearlong project to strengthen poverty-reduction legislation in their province. The effort began with stakeholder consultations to identify local issues of concern. Collaborators then held monthly meetings with local organizations and individuals to discuss concerns and possible solutions. Collaborators also met regularly with parliamentary leaders to identify relevant but currently overlooked concerns. Using this information, collaborators worked together to develop policy recommendations and jointly organized public hearings to raise awareness and garner support. Ultimately, 12 policy recommendations to reduce poverty in the province were presented to parliament and eight were enacted into law.

According to one collaborator, “This unique approach to public policy development has helped establish a more constructive relationship between civil society organizations and political parties. We each had relatively distinct roles during the process. The political party members had the skills to negotiate the task force’s interests with parliamentary leaders. Meanwhile, civil society was better equipped to represent the interests of citizens in a more specialized manner within the task force. This cooperation contributed to our success and ensured our policy recommendations were enacted into law.” other person’s passions and concerns, and Who Should Be Involved? discuss common points of interest. Follow Once you determine collaboration is up with a phone call or note, and maintain appropriate to help your organization address contact via regular in-person meetings, video a social problem, you must then identify other chats, phone calls, LinkedIn or WhatsApp stakeholders with whom to collaborate. A groups. Over time, these individual and stakeholder is any person or group that has an organizational relationships can build toward a interest in the problem/solution and should, coalition of organizations working together to therefore, be involved in the discussions. address grand corruption. One tool for identifying potential collaborators Different stakeholders from different is stakeholder mapping. This technique helps organizations and sectors, such as the private you think strategically about who may have sector, academia and media, have different the highest (or lowest) level of positive or priorities and approaches. Considering social negative influence on a social problem. There problems from different perspectives can are multiple ways to conduct stakeholder help coalitions think about their work in a mapping. Here is a basic approach. new way. By providing an opportunity to share experiences, expertise and information, Together with people on your team and collaborative initiatives can also help coalitions others, you may already be involved with develop new skills relevant to their work and thinking of all the different people/institutions gain a better understanding of the social involved in the issue. Depending on the time problem they are addressing. For example, and resources available to your organization, organizations attending a conference can you may also consult with other organizations report what they learned back to other or experts to solicit recommendations. stakeholders in the coalition who were unable Draw three concentric circles in the center to attend, making all of them more informed of a page. These circles will represent the than they would be on their own. closeness of an individual (or organization) to the problem (i.e., those that are extremely or IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 20

lightly affected by corruption). Label the three TIP circles: central, close and far. Stakeholder mapping is not only an effective tool to identify potential partners for a Far collaborative project. It can also improve your understanding of the general operating lose C environment by mapping out the relative influence of stakeholders. This, in turn, can also help you allocate limited resources for Central their greatest impact by helping you target key stakeholders.

SAMPLE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS z How close are they to the issue? Working with your team, place the individuals/ Are they central, close or far? organizations previously identified in the list in z Why are they close to the issue? the circle that best represents their proximity Be specific. to the issue. Once all the individuals/ institutions have been placed in a circle, z How are the stakeholders within discuss why they are placed where they are a circle and between the circles on the map. related? When considering whether to collaborate, you need to consider whether your organization has enough in common with the stakeholder, Prior to reaching out to stakeholders, also such as similarity in vision or organizational consider what information you are willing structure. It’s also important to include and not willing to share because of this representatives not only from other NGOs, collaboration. but also a cross section of people from the target community, as well as policymakers, Working with Collaborators experts such as academics and other obvious Having a basic understanding of a stakeholders. In addition, you want to ensure stakeholder’s mission, organizational structure you involve people who have the time, energy and approach is important for determining and commitment to attend any meetings or whether they will be an appropriate activities needed to achieve the common collaboration partner and the roles and goals. As you map out key stakeholders, you responsibilities that will be appropriate for can draw from the PEA described in Module 1. them. It is also important for understanding their needs in collaborating. Ensuring each How to Reach Out to Potential Collaborators stakeholder can benefit from the collaboration Now that you have your stakeholder helps minimize concerns regarding lack of analysis and understand the wider political credit. context, it is time to actually reach out to key stakeholders who might want to partner Focus on the Big Picture together in addressing grand corruption. In Successful collaborative initiatives result preparing for those conversations, consider from partners working together to identify a the following three questions. shared vision and common goals. As most organizations work on sub-issues within a IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 21

larger social program, their specific approach beneficiary communities, and experts with to elements of the problem may differ; common interests or focuses. however, the end goal is the same. While you may not agree on everything (otherwise Build Trust you would be the same organization), there Trust is critical to effective communication will likely be larger common issues on which and collaboration between different you can agree. Focus on the common goals, organizations and individuals. Without trust, rather than small differences that can distract coalition members will be wary of sharing you from achieving your shared vision. information or engaging fully in solving the social problem. In addition to identifying common goals and interests, beginning all What do you seek to achieve? discussions by talking about values that both groups share — such as commitment to Like vision and mission statements, a improving democracy or alleviating poverty clear and concise message is best for — starts conversations at a place of positive communicating quickly and consistently shared agreement. In addition, people want to a variety of stakeholders. to be included in processes that impact them. Establishing a decision-making process that What value can they provide you? all members support is another way to help foster trust. (See more on decision-making We collaborate when we do not have processes below.) the resources necessary to effectively complete a task or address an issue. How Establish a Leadership Team do they fill this gap? While goals, issues and strategies should be developed in coordination with all What value can you provide them? collaborators, for practical purposes, it is important to identify a leadership team. This includes not only highlighting This is the group responsible not only for how collaboration supports their administrative issues (including setting and current mission, but also what, if any, hosting meetings, taking notes, etc.), but also ancillary benefits they can receive acting as a single contact point for outside from collaborating, like improving their parties (such as other officials, potential connections or learning skills from other funders, etc.). collaborators. Joint Strategy Development Collaborators need to work together to develop a strategy that makes sense for everyone. The tactics you choose should be Diversity ones that all the organizations can endorse. Diversity is key to innovation; differing If not, the tactics should be employed perspectives and knowledge help develop independently by individual collaborators. more balanced and unique solutions. It is Having a strong organizational vision and also important in broadening the impact mission is critical for identifying activities of the collaborative activity, as well as in that align with donors. At the outset, it is also establishing a strong network of contacts for important to highlight your organization’s support. When considering a collaborative expertise and past successes to foster effort, recruit diverse groups of people, compromise in strategy discussions. including other organizations in your sector, organizations in different but related sectors, IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 22

Establish Plans and Procedures Advantages of Coalitions Together, collaborators should determine the structure of the collaborative effort z Take a collective approach when as well as basic rules for things such as solving problems communication and decision-making. It is z Combine available human expertise important to develop and maintain consistent and financial resources and effective lines of communication between collaborators. This not only helps z Encourage partnerships and minimize in sharing information, but also in providing unhealthy competition between CSOs collaborators with a sense of belonging. for access to resources This requires ensuring sufficient time and z Build camaraderie through shared opportunities for differing opinions to be missions discussed and considered, which is critical. z Mobilize larger groups of people with Time limits and structuring different methods various interests for sharing information are strategies to enable representation of a diverse set of z Draw the attention of the media opinions. (See Appendix for sample plans and and influential people and enhance procedures.) visibility Action plans should also be made to z Present a positive image of civil accomplish the shared vision and goals and society collaboration to evaluate or modify those plans as may be z Encourage information sharing and necessary. More formal collaborative efforts pooling of resources benefit from identifying medium- and long- term goals to address the problems identified, Challenges of Coalitions as well as benchmarks for collaborators to know when those goals have been achieved z Complicate organization and logistics and a clear division of responsibilities as to who is responsible for monitoring the z Reputational risk if coalition members benchmarks. take actions with which not all members are comfortable Credit Sharing z Difficulty in getting individual credit for Recognize that contributions vary. Each coalition achievements collaborator will have something different z Potential conflicts in decision-making, to offer. If stakeholders don’t feel that power struggles or competition collaborating is worthwhile and rewarding, between coalition members they will quit. There are many ways to motivate stakeholders, such as including z Risk of the coalition persisting after it the most active and effective stakeholders has met its objectives in leadership activities; offering learning or z Coalitions can end up competing with capacity-building opportunities through member organizations for the same interaction with experts in other sectors; or pool of resources and staff highlighting how collaborating furthers their z Infringe on privacy and independence own interests (such as expanding their circle of member organizations, including a of relationships or helping them achieve a loss of autonomy campaign goal). z Encourage moderation, which can lead to diluted policy proposals IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 23

Developing Partnerships lending greater legitimacy to the proposed solution. Furthermore, by involving multiple Coalition Building with Civil Society Actors stakeholders, each with their own networks As you start building relationships, consider of support, collaborative projects can whether to formalize organizational alliances broaden their impact beyond an individual through a coalition structure. Coalitions organization’s constituency.8 are alliances of groups pursuing a shared purpose. Building coalitions with other CSOs enables you to align your goals with Example Case Study 2 other organizations with values similar to yours, and to jointly implement actions Civil Society Anti-Corruption Coalitions: or projects. Coalitions should agree to a Transparency International purpose, membership, structure, financial arrangements and a plan of implementation Transparency International (TI) is a to fulfil their functions. By joining forces, good example of promoting a broad coalitions of CSOs can achieve broader coalition-building approach to anti- impact. For example, policy groups (which corruption efforts. Since its foundation have technical expertise on anti-corruption in 1993, the organization’s strategy has efforts) can partner with community groups been to build broad coalitions, bringing (which have the ability to mobilize grassroots together stakeholders at both the global stakeholders) to the benefit of both. Or NGOs and national levels, to work together to working on anti-corruption efforts can partner fight corruption and promote integrity with those working on health or education to and accountability.9 This approach has make an impact on improved service delivery. proven successful in raising awareness, In any scenario, a clear shared objective and advocating for change and lobbying good cooperation are necessary in order for a governments to implement anti- coalition to fulfill its desired goals. corruption reforms. Coalitions are typically formed for one or At the country level, TI relies on the more of the following reasons: contribution of more than 90 national „ To speak with one voice to address a chapters, including 20 in Asia and common issue (e.g., policy advocacy) the Pacific. Using a similar coalition- building approach to the one used at „ To share resources and build each other’s the global level, these national chapters capacity (e.g., information, skills and best bring together relevant players from practices) government, civil society, business and the media to promote transparency „ To share experiences and lend solidarity and accountability in elections, public „ To reduce duplication of activities across administration, procurement, business the field and a wide range of other areas.

When a diverse group of individuals or The National Integrity System (NIS) organizations comes together in support of assessment approach is an example of the same cause, it accentuates the range how TI’s national chapters have managed of interests that support the cause, thus to create momentum for multi-stakeholder

8 Raynor, Jared. “What Makes an Effective Coalition? Evidence-Based Indicators of Success.” TCC Group, Mar. 2011, pointk.org/resources/files/What_Makes_ an_Effective_Coalition_by_TCC_Group.pdf. 9 “Mobilising Broad Anti-Corruption Coalitions.” U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, u4.no/publications/mobilising-broad-anti-corruption-coalitions.pdf. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 24

mobilization at the country level. NIS activities will be undertaken effectively. country studies provide a framework that This also helps avoid internal competition stakeholders can use to analyze both the over funds. extent and drivers of corruption in a given „ country, as well as the strength of national Build the right team: Form your coalition anti-corruption safeguards. This analysis team with dynamic individuals who are is undertaken via a consultative approach, able to work jointly with like-minded involving the key integrity actors in individuals, but are also able to disagree government, civil society, the business with others in a professional manner. community and other relevant sectors to „ Develop activities aligned with the build momentum, political will and civic team’s goals: Understand your coalition pressure for relevant reform initiatives. members’ objectives, interests, In many countries, due to its focus on strengths and weaknesses to identify wide consultation and debate, the NIS some common goals and advantages of assessment has helped national chapters working together. The diversity of the build their public profile and identify coalition members should be reflected in potential partners for advocacy campaigns the coalition’s messaging and activities. and other follow-up activities. Partners should focus on designing specific common activities that would help them reach their goals. Identifying Build a Positive Reputation both short- and long-term outcomes will help keep activities on track. Reputation is key for building trust and support among stakeholders. Organizations „ Meet with coalition members: Convening that are either new or smaller face a challenge members at the outset to establish a when engaging with key stakeholders mission statement and plan of action is because local officials may not be familiar important to set parameters of progress with their work or may not understand it. within the coalition. Regular meetings By participating in a larger, collaborative help ensure adherence to the plan of initiative, you can not only develop contacts action and ongoing measurement of with key stakeholders, but let them see your progress. organization in a positive light. From this initial contact, you can introduce them to the larger „ Brainstorm solutions and make decisions work that your organization does on its own. as a group: Invite the group to debate big-picture questions and come up Coalition-Building Tips with creative solutions. Identify what you are trying to achieve, how will you „ Define the shared goal: Collaboration should have a clear purpose — whether achieve it and with what resources. a long-term strategic vision or a more Take into consideration any challenges tactical campaign objective. or advantages you may have in the community while working toward your „ Set up the coalition structure: Begin by goals. adhering to a set structure to streamline „ the decision-making process and Learn and adapt: Regularly assess determine important details such as the activities carried out by the coalition to lifetime of the coalition, management measure their level of success and gaps body, membership and meeting logistics. that need to be addressed. Identifying areas of improvement can help improve „ Set financial resources for coalition the overall performance of the coalition. activities: Deciding on a modest budget Adjust when necessary to maximize is essential for a coalition to ensure its success. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 25

How to Collaborate in a Coalition TIP Once several organizations/stakeholders Setting goals from the beginning is agree on the problem that they want to important because your journey will address, they must then work together to: not occur in a straight line. Not having a „ Determine a clear objective of the concrete goal can lead to people giving collaborative effort. The objective should up when setbacks arise, whereas staying be specific to the issues identified in focused on the ultimate goal helps people the Problem Tree analysis, measurable, to keep pursuing the objective. Setting goals achievable with the resources you have, is also important because you can show relevant to the problem and timebound how far you have come toward your goal, (SMART). which helps people stay motivated and engaged. „ Establish clear short-, medium- and long- term goals needed to achieve the shared vision. When will you know that you have achieved your goals? At what point will This will be easier to establish if you disband the coalition? Develop clear collaborators take the time to identify in benchmarks for achieving these goals. advance what they seek to gain from the partnership. „ Determine what you will need to succeed. This includes specific Decision-Making Processes knowledge, skills and resources such as funding, equipment or venues. When working with different groups of During this phase it is important to people, within an organization or in a establish roles and responsibilities for collaborative effort, special attention must collaborators based on their specific be paid to the decision-making process. expertise. Involvement in decision-making fosters a sense of belonging and trust. However, it is „ Establish a core leadership group to not always possible or efficient for everyone facilitate administrative tasks as well as in a group to be involved in every decision. outreach. At a minimum, stakeholders should agree on the processes for decision-making, and may „ Establish a process for making decisions. consider following the different decision- Processes should provide room for making processes outlined below. collaborators to negotiate and find ways to compromise, but also agree to Unanimous: Requires that all stakeholders disagree where necessary. agree on a decision before it can be adopted. „ Establish a process for sharing Majority rule: The group votes on options and information between collaborators, the option with the most votes wins. including what type of information should Expert: The group delegates decision-making be shared and what, if any, limitations responsibility to an expert or small subgroup. there will be on using shared information. An expert is someone who has experience, „ Develop a communications plan special knowledge or skills in a particular area. for conducting necessary outreach Executive: The authority to make the final (government, media, public, etc.). Be decision is given to the leader or coordinator sure to determine who is responsible of the coalition. for communicating and with whom they need to consult on the message. Consensus: Stakeholders agree to support a decision that may not have unanimous „ Ensure all collaborators receive clear support, after an effort has been made benefit from being part of the coalition. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 26

Lessons Learned from IRI’s Coalition Building in Mexico

From 2016 to 2018, IRI’s Mexico team respective states. Several key supported three CSOs to organize anti-corruption concepts, coalitions that advocated for the passage of including some that went beyond the strengthened anti-corruption legislation and standards set in the national law, were policy in the states of Nuevo León, Coahuila included in these laws based explicitly on and Querétaro. coalition inputs. z The coalitions in Nuevo León and Fourteen months after this program closed, Coahuila achieved sustainable influence IRI returned to find out more about how as authoritative voices in the robust civic the coalitions influenced these laws by debate on anti-corruption issues and confirming their successes and failures, have adapted their mandate to a new exploring how they achieved results and anti-corruption context. determining what influence their work still has today. Coalition function – Tips for success IRI’s evaluation found that this project z Coalition rules and structure were was a success — in the case of two states important to their effectiveness. While in particular, Nuevo León and Coahuila, members did not always agree on the state anti-corruption laws contained direct specific policies for which they wanted inputs made possible by the work of these to advocate, they agreed on processes coalitions, resulting in laws that go above to resolve conflict and the rules for and beyond Mexico’s federal requirements for participation. This structure allowed such legislation. coalition members to reach consensus fairly and efficiently. Coalition achievements – Key observations z This evaluation has questioned some z The strategy of IRI-supported coalitions of IRI’s assumptions about member evolved over time, beginning with an engagement within coalitions. Less emphasis on civic engagement but engaged free riders were not actually evolving into more direct advocacy. a problem for the coalitions because Coalitions leveraged information (as reporting a larger group size made the distinct from leveraging citizen actions) coalitions look influential and important to influence decision-makers. to decision-makers, which in turn made z The diverse skillsets of coalition their advocacy efforts more effective. members allowed them to be agile z Contextual factors played a role in and respond effectively to a wide coalition success or failure as well. range of advocacy needs, including The state deadline for anti-corruption the development of legal inputs that law development added urgency and assisted lawmakers in the legislation- political buy-in to coalition efforts. development process. The coalitions Furthermore, Nuevo León had the positioned themselves as helpful and richest environment for coalition- productive partners to the government, based civic advocacy because a more which in turn gave them access to elite subsection of civil society had lawmakers to conduct direct advocacy. connections and prior experience z The coalitions based in Nuevo León working collaboratively. This helped and Coahuila managed to influence the Nuevo León coalition be the most the anti-corruption laws passed in their influential of the three coalitions. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 27

to address all issues at stake.10 It requires Recommended Steps for Developing a stakeholders to define at the outset the Reform Agenda number of supporters necessary to reach consensus. Stakeholders who oppose the Step 1: Brainstorm problems of interest to the proposed solution agree to be bound by a group decision if that threshold of support is met.11 Pool together the top issues of interest to Consensus building requires a facilitator to all coalition members. Consider potential frame a proposal after listening carefully to points of overlap between various corruption everyone’s interests. (More tips on consensus problems and the underlying causes of those building can be found in the Appendix.) problems. In this process, consider two guiding questions: Creating an Agenda for Reform t What grand-corruption problems are When working in a coalition, it is important causing the most harm to citizens in our to agree upon a shared set of priorities. This country? agenda focuses the coalition’s activities, shapes engagement with decision-makers, t Where is there existing momentum and can draw in support from the wider to address particular grand-corruption public. Stakeholders can use the framework problems? below to develop a shared and strategic Consider issues that already resonate agenda for reform. with the public and with powerful organized constituencies (such as trade unions, business associations, religious COMMON CHALLENGES IN institutions and student groups). What kinds DEVELOPING A REFORM of corruption problems have sparked public PLATFORM OR AGENDA protest in the past? What kinds of grand corruption cause most harm to the daily lives z Too many issues in the platform of citizens? Are there other powerful (a lack of prioritization), leading to constituencies — such as foreign donors or loss of focus/effectiveness. international financial institutions — that have z Issues selected do not resonate expressed concern with particular aspects of with everyday people, leading to a grand corruption? lack of public engagement. Consider issues that the government has z Issues selected are overambitious already committed to but has not yet given political realities, leading delivered on, such as those documented to stalled progress and in the national anti-corruption strategy, the hopelessness. Open Government Partnership National z Difficulty reaching consensus on Action Plan, or recommendations from the reform platform, leading to multilateral bodies such as the Financial fissures within the coalition. Action Task Force, OECD Working Group on Bribery, UN Convention against Corruption and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. These commitments provide a useful starting point for pressuring the government to deliver.

10 “A Short Guide to Consensus Building.” Massachusetts Institute of Technology, web.mit.edu/publicdisputes/practice/cbh_ch1.html. 11 Burgess, Heidi and Brad Spangler. “Consensus Building.” Beyond Intractability, Sept. 2003, beyondintractability.org/essay/consensus_building. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 28

Step 2: Identify corresponding solutions might be reforming the procurement process For identified problems, consider the so that it conforms with open-contracting underlying causes of corruption. For principles — which would be your demand of example, is there a lack of competition the government. Ultimately, complementary in public procurement due to deliberate steps would need to be taken by civil society collusion or because many businesses do not for this reform to succeed, such as monitoring understand how to navigate the bidding the disclosures made in the new procurement process, so they do not apply? Has beneficial process and calling for accountability in the ownership legislation languished because case of malfeasance. There may also need members of parliament are on the take (a to be actions taken by the private sector to problem of incentives) or because they have comply with new procurement reforms, or not really focused on the issue (a problem of by parliament to exercise oversight of the bandwidth)? Being clear about the nature of process. For purposes of setting a reform the problem will lay the groundwork for agenda, focus on the action that government formulating a solution. would need to take to set the reform process in motion, as represented in the diagram Understanding the causes of the below. problem can also illuminate a logical sequence for reforms. For instance, if the procurement process lacks competition because many businesses do not understand Civil how to apply, the first demand may be to Society provide training on the process, before or in tandem with efforts to root out any deliberate collusion. Judicial Private Branch Sector When considering what it would take to address the problem, identify who Government would need to act to address the (Executive Branch) problem and what they would need to do. This may involve shifting the incentives of corrupt actors (such as through increased Foreign anti-corruption law enforcement) or reducing Parliament opportunities for graft (such as by automating Donors a process previously subject to human discretion). Your reform agenda will comprise solutions or partial solutions to corruption problems. Each reform proposal should have a Step 3: Prioritization clear decision-maker associated with it, which should be a person or number of people — not An effective reform agenda must be focused. a vague institution or “the public.” If you have too many items on your list of demands, the government can pick and In addressing the corruption problem, some choose which ones it fulfills, which may steps will likely need to be taken by the mean that the most important items are left government, while other complementary undone. A long list of demands also fractures steps may need to be taken by other actors. the organizing energy of the coalition, For example, perhaps the identified problem dispersing advocacy across a range of topics. is collusion in public procurement, which Finally, the public may struggle to understand causes harm by wasting public resources, and remember a large range of issues. lowering the quality of goods procured and limiting the ability of small and medium-sized How many is too many? In some instances, enterprises (SMEs) to compete. The solution the most compelling campaigns have just IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 29

One demand Nine demands

In 2009, the successful CICAK campaign In 2013, a coalition of Czech NGOs formed (which stood for Love Indonesia, Love Anti- the Reconstruction of the State platform, Corruption Commission) focused exclusively which identified nine laws that would reduce on neutralizing attempts to undermine corruption in the Czech Republic. It has Indonesia’s highly effective anti-corruption succeeded in getting five out of nine laws commission (the KPK). passed so far.

Twelve demands One demand

A nonpartisan organization in the United In 2008, 44 CSOs in Brazil formed the States — RepresentUS — has developed a Movement Against Electoral Corruption, platform of 12 anti-corruption reforms, which with the rallying cry “Ficha Limpa” (“Clean are grouped into three categories: stop Record”). It had one objective: prevent political bribery, end secret money and fix individuals with criminal backgrounds broken elections. Working at the subnational from running for elected office. It drafted level, the group has won passage of 114 laws/ legislation to restrict eligibility on that basis resolutions aligned with its platform in states and, with the crucial support of the Catholic and cities across the country. Church, the law passed in 2010.

one bold and important item on their reform efficiently address the harm. A harms- agenda. In other instances, stakeholders based approach can also surface new agree upon a suite of reforms, under one creative solutions.14 unified banner. Above are several real-world For example, consider the problem examples.12 of massive leakage in India’s food- To prioritize across a range of demands, it can distribution system: In 2015, it was be helpful to consider several factors.13 Good estimated that 40-50 percent of grains issues… intended for the poor were pilfered off for sale on the open market. The underlying 1) … Result in a real improvement in people’s harm is a lack of food security for lives, addressing an aspect of corruption Indians below the poverty line, resulting that is causing real harm. It helps to in serious malnutrition. Targeting pick specific and measurable demands intervention toward addressing that harm so that you know if it is resulting in real means reframing the challenge from improvements in people’s lives. “How do we combat leakage in India’s Diagnosing the harm associated with food distribution system?” to “How do corruption enables stakeholders to gauge we more effectively distribute food to whether it is a serious problem and, if so, India’s poor, in light of the problem of what kinds of interventions would most leakage?” Reframing the problem in this

12 The Indonesia and Brazil examples are drawn from Beyerle, Shaazkha. Curtailing Corruption. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2014. The Czech and U.S. examples are from “About Reconstruction of the State.” Rekonstukce Statu. rekonstrukcestatu.cz/about-reconstruction-of-the-state and represent. us/anticorruption-act/. 13 Parts of this section are adapted from Bobo, Kimberley A., Jackie Kendall and Steve Max. Organizing for Social Change 4th Edition. Santa Ana: Forum Press, 2010. 14 Detailed in Bellows, Abigail. “Winning the War on Corruption: The Six-Step Solution.” Kennedy School Review, 2 May 2013, ksr.hkspublications. org/2013/05/02/winning-the-war-on-corruption-the-six-step-solution/. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 30

way generates consideration of whether Also consider what your victory will to transition the entire in-kind food cost the other side. What kinds of distribution system to a cash-transfer losses would “spoilers” sustain if your system, opening up new possibilities for reform prevails, and what kind of capital addressing the harm most efficiently. (financial, social, political) would they be willing to expend in order to block your 2) … Are winnable. When assessing the progress? These are the costs that you forces supportive of the issue and the will need to overcome in order to win. forces opposed to the issue, identify On fiercely contested corruption issues, whether there is a plausible pathway there can even be risks to the physical, toward achieving your aim. Draw on the digital or reputational security of activists, PEA approach outlined in Module 1 to which should be taken into account (as better understand the interests and roles discussed in Module 1). of different stakeholders. When assessing “winnability,” it is For your campaign, the pathway to important to balance realism with victory may be through building the boldness. An inspiring vision can rally power of those who already support the greater political support than expected issue or building the support of those and tilt the balance of power in favor of who are already powerful (as depicted a people-driven movement. The key is to the right). For example, the Brazilian to avoid picking an issue that is so large coalition referenced above targeted the or the solution so remote that people Catholic Church (which was originally get overwhelmed and cannot envision a a “high power, low support” actor) pathway toward achieving their goal. and convinced it to join the campaign as an ally, shifting it right on the grid. 3) … Widely resonant: Do many people Alternatively, a group of NGOs might feel that this is a real problem and agree start in the “low power, high support” with your solution? Does a campaign quadrant but build sufficient public around this issue or set of issues have the pressure and mobilization that they potential to attract new public support for increase their power, shifting them your coalition and shift power relations? upward on the grid. Either strategy or, In addition to breadth of support, is this more likely, a combination of both can something that people feel deeply about produce a victory. — strongly enough to act on it? Related is whether the issue is easily understood by everyday people, which will increase their POWER willingness to act on it.

High power, 4) … Aligned with organizational resources, Low support values and vision: Does the pathway to “winnability” referenced above account for the coalition’s actual organizational resources? If new resources would be needed to pursue it, is this an issue that would motivate constituents to contribute or where donor support is likely? If you pursue this issue, what will be the broader impact on your Low power, organization’s health and political High support alliances? Will taking on this issue help SUPPORT you advance your mission or cause IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 31

“mission drift?” Is this a topic that will who might share your reform priorities, draw together your target audience or using strategies outlined in the Building be divisive? The issue you chose will Strategic Relationships section. shape the kind of people who join your „ campaign and the organization you build Chart a campaign strategy for advancing for the longer term. your agenda, using strategies outlined in the Advocacy Campaigns section. You may have other considerations to „ consider. Before a group starts to choose Develop communications materials to among issues, members should come to get the message out on your agenda — agreement on the criteria they will use to both to targeted audiences as well as the select the issue or set of issues. This will make public at large — using strategies outlined the choice much easier and more soundly in the Communications and the Media reasoned. module. „ Refine your understanding of the Step 4: Reach agreement problems you have identified, and In formulating a joint position around research how your reform solutions could reform priorities, it is important to ensure be implemented, using the strategies all stakeholders can comfortably share their outlined in the Information and Evidence views. Consider drawing on the resources on Gathering section. decision-making from earlier in this module. To mitigate the potential for conformist „ Maintain and build your coalition in “groupthink,” it can be helpful to delegate one support of this reform agenda, using the member of the group to identify potential techniques mentioned in the Developing flaws in the dominant thrust of the discussion, Partnerships section. or set aside a period of time to brainstorm Worksheet: Building Your Agenda for Reform together about potential “blind spots” in the prevailing opinion. 1: Brainstorm problems of interest to the Who is in the room? When selecting issues, group consider who is at the decision-making t What grand-corruption problems are table. Are the constituents of member- causing the most harm to citizens in your based organizations and movements country? represented, or is it just elite staff members? t Are representatives from grassroots and rural Where is there existing momentum groups in the room, or only capital-based to address particular grand-corruption NGOs? If it is not feasible to get adequate problems? representation in the final decision-making forum (especially given the need to keep 2: Identify corresponding solutions the group size manageable), consider t What are the underlying causes of this holding “listening forums” in advance with corruption problem? constituents so their viewpoints can be taken t To address this problem, who would need into account. This can also solicit “buy-in” to act and what they would need to do? from those who will be called upon later to mobilize around this reform agenda. 3: Prioritization What’s Next? Does the issue: To deploy your agenda for reform, draw on t Address an aspect of corruption that is other components of this Toolkit: causing real harm in people’s lives?

„ Cultivate alliances with powerful actors, t Have a realistic pathway to achieving particularly leaders within government success? IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 32

t Resonate with everyday people? 4. Reach agreement t Is there consensus among key t Align with organizational resources, values and vision? stakeholders about pursuing this issue?

Lessons from Armenia

Context: In most of the nearly 30 years of Watchdogs: For several years, its independence, Armenia contended with civil society groups have exposed pervasive corruption. Politics, business corruption and educated the public, which interests and criminal activity were often contributed to the popular grievances that fused together. The judiciary and public boiled over in the Velvet Revolution. For institutions were largely captured, while example, an exposé in 2017 by the Union electoral corruption kept the status quo of Informed Citizens revealed recordings intact. Government-backed disinformation of public school teachers and principals campaigns discredited civil society and anti- pressuring parents to vote for the ruling corruption activism. party, on the direction of party headquarters. The scandal was unprecedented and resulted Turning point: Armenia’s trajectory changed in legislative changes to criminalize the dramatically in the Velvet Revolution of 2018, abuse of administrative resources. When a youth-driven protest movement fueled the new government took office in 2018, it by grievances about corruption, in which committed to ending the politicization of former journalist Nikol Pashinyan toppled the public education. political establishment to be elected prime minister. While the revolution’s mass protests Movements: Youth-driven activism — relying were driven by informal networks via social on a loose, horizontal structure rather than media, organized civil society did play an established NGOs — provided vital learning important role in the years preceding it by experiences for civic leaders. In particular, informing the population about the scale and the #ElectricYerevan movement in 2015 harmful effects of corruption. was sparked by a proposed 17-percent hike in electricity rates, but grew to encompass Journalism: Since 2001, the online broader frustration with corruption and investigative journalism platform Hetq mismanagement in the electricity utility. has provided credible information Sit-ins and protests expanded, eventually about government malfeasance — in an peaking at 20,000 demonstrators, with environment where mainstream media intensive use of social media. The movement are often aligned with the state. Hetq’s was ultimately successful in reversing the investigations have prompted activist price hike and prompting the sale of the campaigns, the return of diverted funds electricity utility. In 2017, a smaller student to local budgets, and investigations into movement known as Restart formed corruption allegations. Another important to address the quality of education and media actor was the online TV program “Out corruption in universities, which helped of Your Pocket,” launched in 2014 to highlight build the track record of activism and youth unnecessary expenditures and suspicious leadership that laid the groundwork for the deals made by public officials. The program Velvet Revolution. explains complex issues in an accessible way through animations and infographics. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 33

nontraditional key outreach platforms and groups. This information should include MODULE 3: contact information, details regarding the relationships that exist within each outlet, COMMUNICATIONS between outlets, and between political allies and opponents, including any AND THE MEDIA political bias toward individuals or political entities. Potential anti-corruption leaders Developing a Communications who could help disseminate the message Strategy should also be identified. Outlining a Communications Plan 6. Gather information on major public After defining your overall goals and building events at which there is citizen strategic relationships, your team is ready to participation or political participation, develop a comprehensive communications such as forums, rallies, town-hall plan that can help effectively disseminate broadcasts, demonstrations, and regional your research and advocacy messages to the conferences. Identify any events likely to public. This plan should consider a multitude receive media coverage or public interest, of factors, including: or spur thought leadership in which your team may be able to participate. 1. Develop goals for your communications strategy that take into consideration the 7. Engage civil society partners and think content of the collected data and the tanks working on anti-corruption efforts target audience, and select how, where to align efforts, including cosponsoring and when to publicize it based on these events that would expand your reach. set goals. 8. Plan your own events where you can 2. Think about what resources are available start publicizing evidence and advocacy to you to implement a communications messages through press conferences, strategy and ensure your goals are in panels, roundtables, etc., and determine line with the available resources, or raise whom to invite to these events. Consider additional resources before proceeding. which audiences are the best fit for which events, rather than inviting everyone on 3. Clarify the message that you would your contact list to all events, to ensure like to communicate to audiences. This productive engagement and smart use of message can be adapted slightly to available resources. different audiences, as long as it is still in line with the main message. Team Organization 4. Gather detailed information regarding In order to develop a comprehensive and coverage and local understandings effective communications strategy, define of corruption in order to understand the appropriate roles for key leaders based the public’s and other stakeholders’ on strengths and designate members to willingness to engage with the topic. be in charge of public speaking, written Assessing the prevailing narrative on communications, media-outlet networking, corruption, including recent corruption event planning and logistical setup. Each of investigations or accusations as well as the relevant leaders should contribute to media mentions regarding corruption, drafting the team’s communications strategy, will help your team communicate in your which should include obtaining earned media local environment. (free media coverage gained through your outreach efforts) and other nontraditional 5. Collect detailed information on domestic ways of publicizing findings. and international traditional and IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 34

Understanding the Local Environment TIP: THE PRESS LIST While planning your team’s communications, Your team should maintain a press list, or you should identify any potential obstacles an updated list of media contacts. This list to media work in your host environment. should include owners of media houses, These obstacles are often a factor in countries publishers, broadcasters, editors and where limitations constrict potential outreach investigative journalists and reporters, due to a hostile or underdeveloped media particularly those with experience covering environment. Local obstacles may be legal corruption. Determine if it is preferable to in nature, such as limitations on freedom maintain physical cards or computer files of expression or stringent defamation laws. with a record of each newspaper, radio Other obstacles are political in nature and may station or other news service with which include pressure from government ministries you communicate. Record the name or public figures on media outlets not to and title of each person along with their publish corruption allegations. More generally, telephone number and email address. your team may face operational obstacles, Make sure to review and update this list of such as difficulty in contacting media outlets contacts regularly to reflect any change of or the challenge of communicating complex positions, titles or contact information. Your corruption information in an accessible way. team should also write down the last time Based on the identified obstacles in your local members reached out to media contacts, context, consider ways to either overcome what information was sent or discussed, and those challenges or navigate around them, any upcoming deadlines for press events or and accordingly determine when and if to media publications agreed upon. adapt and employ the following tactics: „ Self-publish your story and materials.

„ Outreach using digital media rather than „ Print newspapers traditional media. „ Online news websites, blogs and „ Identify and partner with publications microblogs that are the most independent from and „ Social media platforms resilient to political pressure. „ Private messaging applications „ Persist in the face of local unwillingness or hesitance to provide coverage. „ Radio stations

„ Appeal to the sense of truth or morality „ Television networks of individuals in the media, especially key „ Investigative journalism publications decision-makers such as editors, to gain support for publication. „ Podcasts

„ Forge alliances with nontraditional The abovementioned media types may be outreach networks such as artists or further divided based on the language of musicians. the media sources and whether they have national coverage or only provide coverage Media Options and Outreach of certain cities or regions within the country. When developing a media outreach strategy, If you have adequate resources, team your team should be aware of the wide variety members should ensure that media outlets of outlets and organizations that work in the that represent all major local languages media sphere. “Traditional” media companies are part of the outreach process. This may or organizations include: entail identifying regional or municipal media organizations, rather than solely working IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 35

“NONTRADITIONAL” MEDIA

Nontraditional modes of communication are indispensable tools for local civic activists. As members of civil society, your team members already understand their communities well and how people in their region typically receive information on political and social issues outside of traditional media outlets. Nontraditional communication outlets can include public theater, village meetings, satirical cartoons, or religious gatherings or groups. Have your team reflect on what modes of communication will most resonate with your target audience.

If your team is trying to influence or reach non-elites and members of the public, nontraditional outreach may be more effective, especially creative and artistic communication methods. Sometimes a political play or protest art can sway public opinion more than a densely written report full of data. Conversely, if your team is trying to influence upward and reach decision-makers, including government ministers, business elites or the diplomatic community, it should understand how these groups receive information. Are elites paying attention to nontraditional media, or are they more likely to consume traditional media such as newspapers? Ask these questions in order to determine the best way to reach your selected audience.

with national media outlets. However, if your Press Ownership and Affiliations team has limited resources, identify which Before reaching out to media outlets, identify language is the most relevant to your findings, the ownership of each organization to and focus your outreach efforts and media determine if the outlet’s leadership will help strategy in that language. or hinder your team in publishing evidence of corruption. Consider factors such as state Local Media ownership, political leanings and affiliations After identifying potential limits to the of the outlet’s owners, such as political party freedom of the press in your jurisdiction, it is membership or public support. If a media essential to understand what types of local outlet is identified as loyal or maintaining media have the most readership, credibility, significant ties to any of the subjects of your outreach potential and popularity. Note that investigation, reaching out with evidence when revealing corruption scandals via local of impropriety may cause backlash for your media sources, one should consider if the team, including intimidation, physical threats media outlet with the most readership is the or attempts to destroy evidence. most appropriate or effective outlet to get out your team’s message and inform popular International Media opinion. Weigh the pros and cons of different Although engaging local media to publish media outlets, including their local following, your team’s evidence is key to creating partisan or political leanings, popularity and awareness of corruption issues within your credibility. In certain cases, the outlet with the jurisdiction, there are many benefits to largest distribution may be the best option to also engaging with international media. get your findings out to the largest amount of International outlets often have wide people. In other cases, a more independent distributions, are regarded as credible, are free outlet with a smaller distribution may be of local press restrictions and have the power preferable. Keep in mind that a story may gain to influence the opinions of international traction in larger media outlets even when actors. Your team should determine if, in first published on a microblog or by a relatively addition to local media outreach, it would be small newspaper. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 36

appropriate to use external communications TIP networks, including foreign print, broadcast or online outlets, to reach the international Your team should also consider public, international organizations, foreign piggybacking off well-established and governments and even local citizens who popular social media pages. Work with may get their information from non-local traditional media outlets such as print sources. However, keep in mind that although newspapers, well-established organizations some international media outlets may be less such as the International Consortium of constrained by local restrictions, their local Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) or high-profile staff, including journalists on the ground, may local activists to publish your findings via be subject to the same restrictions and risks their social media pages. This technique will as local news outlets. enable your story to reach a large number of people who are already following and Social Media reading the social media page and elevate Your team should consider developing a your outreach. strategy for digital outreach using social media and other innovative communications tools that can enable direct communication with civil society. Social media platforms may three main types of social media campaigns it be especially useful in combatting corruption can employ: as these tools sometimes remain relatively „ Detecting and understanding corruption: unrestricted compared to tight political In addition to your team directly using controls or censorship of traditional media. social media research to identify high- Social media platforms that can boost your level corruption by bureaucrats, it can use communications strategy include: social media to crowdsource monitoring. „ Facebook For example, you may start a campaign that encourages citizens to use Twitter „ Twitter to collectively report on government „ WhatsApp services and detail poor service delivery at the local level. You can also use „ Instagram social media to track the market price of bribery through online tools, as has „ YouTube been implemented across India through „ Tumblr IPaidABribe.com.

„ WeChat „ Mobilizing people to respond to corruption: Social media can empower These platforms offer various outreach your team to aggregate and channel tools to raise awareness and visibility of public discontent. For example, many your findings and story, including tools to old stories on corruption that were publish information directly (via written posts, buried or ignored in previous years are videos and photos), share posts or published now being brought back into the public materials by other groups or individuals consciousness and rebroadcast through and comment on posts to create public rural areas on an hourly basis. discussion. Through these tools, social media give power to public opinion and cultivate „ Exposing people to the possibility of the kind of solidarity that is needed to fight an alternative future: Social media corruption at high levels of government. campaigns also have the power to When using social media in relation to increase people’s expectations of their corruption, your team should be aware of government by highlighting examples of higher transparency and anti-corruption IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 37

Case Study: Alexei Navalny Exposing Russian Corruption

Alexei Navalny, a Russian civic activist, started publishing information regarding private and government corruption in Russia on his LiveJournal blog in 2008. He later expanded his publication and outreach strategy using the social media platforms YouTube and Twitter, and his posts regarding corruption have gained widespread attention. For example, in March 2017 he published a report detailing corruption schemes in which then-Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev had been involved, as well as a video on YouTube which gained more than 20 million hits within a month. These led to massive street protests from March to June 2017, and Navalny’s popularity led him to run as an opposition party candidate against Vladimir Putin in the 2018 presidential election.

performance in comparable countries. release could prompt a reporter to find This can help break through public other information that your team chose resignation and spark citizen mobilization. not to include, so ensure that you have a strong case and are not misleading in your However, social media outreach is not always writing. In addition, make sure that when a sensible option, particularly in countries including evidence of corruption in your with limited internet penetration. Social media press release you do not reveal private or usage is often limited locally, where it may sensitive information related to human only be accessible to or used by young, urban sources. You may determine to keep your or wealthy segments of the population. Think sources anonymous, and refrain from specific carefully about the goals of your campaign descriptions of their job titles or relationships and whether social media outreach should that could risk exposing their identity. be a priority. For example, consider if it is preferable to gain traction on social media by A good press release: gathering signatures for an online petition, „ Includes a release date. or if mobilizing citizens through in-person meetings is more important. „ Contains a headline that quickly conveys the important part of your story.

Preparing Information for Release „ Answers the questions who, what, where, Press Releases when and why in the first paragraph. Send a press release to media outlets when „ Is written like a news story ready to be you want a specific piece of news to appear published. as widely as possible. A press release should be written to emulate the news story that you „ May include quotations that the reporter hope will be published. Press releases are sent can use that have been pre-confirmed simultaneously to all relevant media contacts as “on the record” with the source in to deliver your story and ensure the highest question. potential for its publication in the news. „ Includes only accurate and verifiable Send a press release when you believe information. that your collected data and evidence on „ Remains no longer than it needs to be corrupt individuals or organizations are (one page at most). sufficient to interest reporters in your story. Good reporters will also investigate „ Ends with the name and contact your story themselves to supplement the information of your team’s designated press release with information from other press contact. sources. However, be aware that your press IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 38

In your press release, include the key parts ALTERNATIVE: THE EXCLUSIVE of the story and make it clear why the story is significant. As needed, include specific While press releases are pieces of evidence and data that make your simultaneously sent to as many story credible and interesting. However, media outlets as possible, a do not include every detail your team has potentially powerful alternative identified. Reporters can call you for more outreach strategy can be to provide information if they are interested in publishing an “exclusive” to a single media your story. Before you send out your team’s outlet. This strategy allows your press release, consider which questions team to send a targeted pitch to reporters might ask and how you will answer the most strategic media outlet, them. Press releases should be approved by offered as breaking information all relevant organization or coalition leaders provided only to that organization for before being sent out. exclusive publication. This strategy can be especially powerful in small Writing a great press release is only half the media markets into which your team journey. Getting it published is just as difficult. is revealing new and unpublished Knowing how to pitch to journalists (which investigative material, and may help usually involves reaching out to them by email your findings get more attention than about your press release) is also crucial to a general press release. getting your story picked up by the media. Make sure your email follows the proper press release structure: The email to the press should be concise, „ Headline: A taste of what the article is preferably outlining key information in bullet about. points. Do not include the press release as an attachment in the email as journalists „ Lead: A brief overview of the story, routinely receive large volumes of messages including answers to the questions: Who? and it is very likely that they will not open the What? When? Where? Why? How? With attachment you shared. what effect?

„ Body: An explanation of the information Press Conferences provided earlier in the lead, starting Press conferences are an alternative media from the most newsworthy information communications tool to press releases. They to other, less important background allow for greater flexibility of information information. delivery. A press conference is preferable to a traditional press release or written news „ Dateline: To confirm that you are editorial under the following conditions: providing the most up-to-date information. „ Your story is too complex, and all the facts cannot be transmitted in a press „ Organization information: A short release alone. paragraph about your organization to help journalists understand the nature of your „ Reporters would benefit from seeing work and make writing about it easier. photographs or meeting with relevant persons. „ Media contact information: Author or organization’s contact information. „ It is beneficial to inform all local news organizations at the same time. „ After including the key points above, paste the press release into the body of „ Your team expects questions and has the email. prepared answers. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 39

„ You wish to gain additional attention by EVENT CHECKLIST dramatizing the story. In order to ensure your press If you can deliver the facts and evidence conference is conducted with a press release alone, then do not professionally, review the hold a press conference. After informing following checklist while press outlets of your plan to hold a press organizing your event: conference, ensure that you do not give out information to reporters beforehand. Ensure speakers know to wear Reporters are competitive and will ask for your appropriate clothing, when to story beforehand; however, your team should enter, where to sit or stand, and inform the media that all relevant information how to use the microphone. will be delivered at the press conference. Put together visual materials Conference Preparation such as backdrops, PowerPoints Choose a team member to manage the press and signs. conference, introduce the main speakers, ask for questions, close the press conference and Make sure the press conference thank the attendees. One or two days before room is comfortable, quiet and the conference, notify the press with a press well lit. advisory. In this timeframe, a member of your team should call invited media members to Provide an area for remind them of the event and confirm their photographers or cameras so attendance. reporters don’t block others’ view. During the press conference, limit the number of speakers and limit each speaker Restrict entrance into the room to approximately 10 minutes consisting of at to ensure it does not become most three main points. Ensure the speakers overcrowded. know how to communicate their talking points concisely. The longer someone speaks, Ask reporters to sign in so you the more likely the reporters will report know who attended. something they said that is not what you wish to be the main takeaway. The entire press Hand out fact sheets or any conference should be at most 30 minutes, materials before starting. with up to 15 additional minutes for audience questions. Start the conference on time, tell If your press conference is unprofessionally attendees how long it will last, conducted or does not communicate your and end on time. story, reporters will be hesitant to report favorably and publish your story, or to attend Signal the speakers if they are any of your future media events. Thus, make going over time. sure your press conference is pleasant and productive for them to attend. Politely interrupt questioners who go on too long. (“Excuse Print Articles me, sir/ma’am, what is your Your team may determine that neither a press question?”) release nor a press conference is ideal for communicating your story to the public. This may be due to a lack of staff or resources, IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 40

or due to security and safety reasons in your TIP jurisdiction that limit your team from publicly presenting its findings. If a press conference After your article is published, consider or press release is not ideal for your team, you making copies to send to local or national should directly choose and contact a specific legislators, such as city council members news outlet or reporter that you believe or government ministers, as well as local will be ideal to write and publish your story. business or cultural leaders whose support This may be a conventional journalist or an could help in swaying public opinion. investigative reporter. Investigative reporters are highly skilled at exposing information of which the public is unaware and typically with a journalist on your gathered information focus on groundbreaking research topics like regarding local corruption make sure they anti-corruption efforts. know how the evidence you provide can be Reaching out to a reporter to write your story independently verified. Understand that it is allows for significant media outreach while a journalist’s job to be objective and skeptical, maintaining anonymity as needed. Your team and that they have the final say on how your will play the role of a source and will not act story is conveyed to the public. as the main communicator of a story. That responsibility will fall on the reporter and Reaching Decision-Makers news organization where they work. Thus, Writing a Policy Paper your team needs to carefully consider who is the most interested, willing and capable Individuals and organizations involved in of publishing your information. The media public debate may need to devote a lot of organization should attempt to maintain their efforts to effective policy writing in “whistleblower” protections for your team but order to influence decision-makers. Policy note that it may face significant pressure from writing is usually defined as the process public officials to identify its sources after through which government employees publishing your story. and NGOs produce written proposals (“policy products”) addressed to lawmakers Making Initial Contact and policy professionals. The main focus After identifying a potential partner in the of policymaking is the problem-solution media, call or email the reporter even if you relationship: identifying a problem, developing have no connections or previous contact a comprehensive and effective argument with them. Reporters use information from supporting a specific solution, and persuading a variety of sources for their news articles the target decision-maker to adopt the and expect cold calls. When contacting a suggested solution. A policy product reporter, be aware that their time is limited addressed to a policymaker usually identifies and that they may be working against a a specific policy problem, suggests potential deadline. When calling, ensure that you have solutions to it, assesses those solutions condensed the basics of your story into a less and makes a recommendation for the most than five-minute pitch. Ask the reporter if they feasible one on the basis of a persuasive have time; if they are busy, ask them when the argument, highlighting the main reasons for best time would be to call them back so that that choice. you can have their full attention. Typical policy writing is different from After an initial email or call, if a reporter is academic writing. While the latter considers interested in your story, they will follow the creation of new knowledge an end up with an immediate request for more in itself, policy writing considers it only information. Prepare written materials and necessary to inform and influence the files beforehand for delivery. When working behavior of political decision-makers. Policy writing aims to create positive change IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 41

through suggesting an alternative solution ALTERNATIVE PUBLICATION to a real, concrete problem, thus urging OPTION: THE OP-ED policymakers to take action based on facts and values rather than merely enriching an When to Write an Op-ed academic debate. Similarly, policy writing One of your team’s options is to differs from opinion or editorial writing as it write an opinion piece to send to a is not polemical, biased or emotional, and is newspaper for print. Op-eds differ expected to provide solutions rather than just significantly from the standard criticizing the current situation. option of working with a journalist to Policy products should provide original, write a story regarding your findings. persuasive and feasible arguments based Not only will you and your team on facts and evidence. The tone should be have direct control over the story professional, objective and accessible. A that is published, but you must rely policy product also ought to be concise and on the writing skills and persuasive not overloaded with unnecessary information, power of your internal team to sway despite the fact that there is no standard public opinion. Op-eds are similar to length to observe. The format for a policy press conferences or press releases product varies from books to memos, briefs, in that your name or organization’s position papers and reports. name will be directly linked to the story. Although op-eds allow Introducing Policy Issues writers to make a direct argument Issues that deserve to be addressed by policy and possibly even call civil society writers should be relevant, precise and clearly or the government to action, they definable. Such characteristics are essential to are sometimes regarded as more easily identify the right target audiences and subjective (as opinion pieces) than the plausible solutions. The policy problem news articles. should also be addressed by at least one clear, Op-ed Writing Rules feasible solution. If no solution is possible through policy, the problem should not be z The final article needs to be addressed through policy writing. focused and should not exceed 750 words. Knowing Your Audience z Write for the average reader who Policy writers need to get familiar with is not deeply knowledgeable their target audience in order to be able to about your topic; avoid technical develop a professional policy product that language. considers the audience’s knowledge of the z Keep both sentences and issue. Identifying potential stakeholders can paragraphs short to make the help you define your target audience. Try to article more approachable. understand the level of their knowledge of the issue and the degree of interest in it. While z Make sure to include sufficient engaged in your interaction, avoid using too evidence and facts to back up your much technical terminology that may annoy claims of corruption. the audience and prevent it from following you.

Collecting Evidence and Data To help you address the policy problem, try to search for solid, reliable data. When you start to write, make sure to include only the information relevant and necessary to IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 42

developing a specific argument, and try to Editing Process avoid overloading the audience with data. Use After developing a draft of your policy only authoritative, credible sources, and avoid product, you should undertake a review unreliable information provided by biased process prior to publication by authors and sources as it will undermine your argument. editors. Reviewers and editors will have to examine the draft in order to ensure that: Determining and Arguing for Policy Recommendations „ The structure is clear and compelling. A policy paper must not only identify a „ The information is accurate and reliable. problem; it must also identify a solution with evidence for how your recommendation „ The tone is rational and objective. will address the problem. Each policy option „ The language is appropriate and has its costs and benefits. Depending on consistent. your team’s goals, select the policy that best ensures effectiveness. In order to effectively „ All grammar, spelling and punctuation develop pertinent policy recommendations, mistakes have been corrected. it is crucial to formulate thorough, persuasive arguments. Decide on a type of policy Transmitting Policy Products argument depending on your research and The last stage is to communicate your the way you want to frame your argument. policy products to your target audience in the most effective way. There are diverse Producing Policy Briefs methods of distribution, and you should be One of the most common forms of policy strategic in making your choice. The most writing is the policy brief. Briefs may include common methods include hard copies, digital several ingredients, ranging from identifying distribution, distribution to media outlets and a policy problem to providing relevant combining policy papers with other types of information, formulating options to handle materials. the problem and assess their potential results, and suggesting recommendations based on clear evidence. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 43

APPENDIX SAMPLE MEETING AGENDA – Initial Collaboration Meeting 6:00 p.m. Welcome Speaker: Executive director of Organization Y Purpose: Introduction of common issue: Lack of transparency in health procurement in our city. 6:15 p.m. Introduction of groups Purpose: Each attendee will have five minutes to introduce their organization and why they are interested in this topic. 6:40 p.m. Issue identification Participants will write down the top three challenges posed by heath procurement on a Post-it. These will be put into a box and then a facilitator from Organization Y will read each Post-it aloud. 6:50 p.m. Group discussions – Shared vision Participants will be broken into smaller groups, each tasked with developing a shared vision based on the challenges introduced in the last session. 7:15 p.m. Sharing – Vision statements 7:25 p.m. Moderated discussion to define common goal Facilitator from Organization Y will walk through each of the prepared vision statements and facilitate a discussion to refine them into one shared vision. 7:50 p.m. Shared-vision vote

SAMPLE ACTION PLAN OVERALL GROUP GOAL: Increase transparency in health-sector procurement in our municipality. GROUP OBJECTIVES: 1. Raise awareness about the costs of the status quo and the need for increased procurement transparency in health.

2. Propose, advocate for and achieve adoption of open-contracting principles to increase transparency in procurement.

3. Monitor implementation of new health procurement practices in our municipality to see if they are properly applied.

Obj. Action Strategy/Major Steps Defining Success Partners Resources # Needed (Outcomes, When?) (Include Timeline) IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 44

1 Outreach 1. Work with experts 1. Increased public Organization • Administrative Campaign to develop awareness of Y – leader expertise materials on opacity in health (Organization Municipal impacts of the procurement in Y) Federation of status quo (how our municipality, • Social Physicians opacity in health compared credibility procurement is to others, as Sociology (patient costing lives and measured by a pre- Faculty of group) wasting money). and post-survey. Municipal • Academic 2. Publish case 2. Acknowledgement University analysis studies about from government Patient (University) how other procurement Advocacy • Relationships municipalities officials that health Group with media have more costs are higher organizations transparency in and outcomes are (Organization their procurement lower in our city. Y) and the benefits 3. Partnerships built Barriers they derive. with three ally 3. Recruit doctors, organizations • Backlash from patient groups to conduct joint those who and other allies outreach. benefit from to advance this procurement message. corruption 4. Conduct joint might make outreach via some fearful events, social to participate. media and print • Challenge media. of building momentum on social media.

SAMPLE COMMUNICATION PLAN BETWEEN COLLABORATORS Goal: Ensure all partners have access to information they need to improve their outputs and make informed decisions on lack of transparency in health procurement in our city. Objective(s): 1. All decisions are communicated effectively to all partners. 2. All partners are aware of resources available to them from other partners. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 45

Implementation Plan:

Tactic Responsibility Timeline Objective 1 Disseminate summary of all Advocacy group focused Within one week of the meetings; conference calls on transparency in health meeting procurement Summary of core leadership Organization Y Every quarter outreach Objective 2 Partners consolidate list of Government procurement Once a year resources they will share officials collect all summaries

DEEP DIVE: Effective Consensus Building15 When to Use Consensus Building

As everyone’s opinions must be heard and considered, consensus building takes longer than other decision-making processes. Thus, it is typically reserved for complex or broad-reaching issues for which you need to: z Foster strong involvement in a program. z Build trust and bridge stakeholder differences. z Build new partnerships to bring more resources and expertise to develop solutions.

Consensus building is not appropriate if you need a quick solution or stakeholders are either so polarized that they cannot sit down together or are completely ambivalent to the problem. To be successful, consensus building should be carried out by a facilitator or moderator capable of guiding discussions and enforcing the process for making the decision. Facilitators or moderators may also help stakeholders brainstorm alternative solutions to the problem at hand. These alternatives then form the basis of the discussions on the ultimate decision.

Steps to Consensus Building

1. Articulate the problem. What is the challenge we are trying to address?

2. Reflect.Participants should be given a couple of minutes to think about the problem and write down their ideas.

3. Discuss. Participants take turns discussing the issues raised by each participant.

4. Identify key Issues. As a group, participants determine the key terms and issues. Lists can be narrowed down by having the facilitator read each item and participants voting on whether that item should remain on the list. Weighted voting can provide more nuanced decision-making. It can be structured through participants holding up one to three fingers

15 Adapted from “Internal Communication Toolkit.” Civicus. civicus.org/view/media/CIVICUSInternalCommunicationToolkit.pdf. IRI | Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Civic Activists 46

depending on how important the item is to them or using stickers to place beside the items they deem most important.

5. Test a proposal. When the facilitator sees the group moving in a clear direction, they can ask everyone to indicate how they feel about the direction the discussion is going based on a scale of “fist to five”: z Fist: No support z One finger: Very little agreement but will support the decision z Two fingers: Little agreement z Three fingers: Moderate agreement z Four fingers: High agreement z Five fingers: Complete agreement

The facilitator asks each “fist” to specify the nature of their objection. This helps avoid people objecting simply because they don’t feel well or don’t like the person behind the proposal. If all the responses are threes to fives, consensus is likely reached.

6. Final agreement. Prior to finalizing the solution, one final attempt to satisfy the concerns of any remaining holdout(s) should be made. “This can be done by asking those who ‘cannot live with’ the final recommendation or decision to suggest a modification to the package or tentative agreement that would make it acceptable to them without making it less attractive to anyone who has already expressed support for it.”16 In this way, the consensus-building process can maximize “buy-in” and input from group members during decision-making and execution.

16 “A Short Guide to Consensus Building.” International Republican Institute

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