From declarations to whistleblower rewards: how the integrity system transformed in Ukraine

Building a transparent state is a long evolutionary process that Ukraine has been going through step by step for over three decades. The path from the first legislative initiatives to a full-fledged anti-corruption infrastructure demonstrates not only a change in the regulatory framework but also a transformation of public consciousness.

Historical digression: how it all began

The foundation of the future system was laid back in 1993, when the obligation for civil servants to annually declare their income was introduced for the first time. An important stage was Ukraine's integration into the international anti-corruption space in the mid-2000s: ratification of the UN Convention against Corruption and joining the GRECO group.

Creation of anti-corruption infrastructure

Key changes took place after 2014 with the adoption of a package of anti-corruption laws and the Anti-Corruption Strategy. Between 2015 and 2019, a new institutional system was built in Ukraine:

• NACP (National Agency on Corruption Prevention) and NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine) were created.
• SAPO (Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office) and ARMA (Asset Recovery and Management Agency) were established.
• The work of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) was launched.

A turning point for transparency was the implementation of electronic declarations in 2016, which made the assets of officials open to the public.

The institution of whistleblowers and new achievements

Recent years have been marked by increased work with corruption whistleblowers. In 2023, the Unified Whistleblower Reporting Portal was launched, allowing people to safely report facts of corruption. Already in 2024, the NACP made the first payment of a reward to a whistleblower in the history of Ukraine.

Results and challenges of today

Systemic changes give a measurable result. Over the last decade, Ukraine has significantly improved its position in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), rising from 25 points in 2013 to 36 points at the end of 2023.

Today, the fight for integrity continues. In 2025, society continues to actively defend the independence of anti-corruption bodies, in particular NABU and SAPO, emphasizing the importance of preserving the achieved results.

Integrity is the foundation of trust in the state, which we build together.