Corruption Risk Map in Security Sector of Serbia

BCSP has started researching an important issue hindering consolidation of democratic reforms; an issue that is under-researched in Serbia. Namely, civil society organizations in Serbia, specialised in fighting corruption, have so far missed the opportunity to highlight causes of corruption in the security sector.

This issue has been raised only occasionally when the press discovers corruption scandals (e.g. procurement of satelite from the Israelis). Traditionally, the security sector is more difficult ot oversee because of extensive use of confidentiality. Citizens themselves still see the armed forces, police, and security services as a secluded part of public administration, of whose work they should not have knowledge.

Therefore, the public lacks insights into the type and scope of corruption in this part of the state's administration.For this reason, this new BCSP project aims to analyze, explain, and present a map of principal corruption risks facing the armed forces, police, and intelligence services of Serbia.

Principal risks for corruption in Serbia’s security sector will be presented online by an interactive “Risk Map”. The Risk Map will be a platform for inclusion of civil society organizations, media, and citizens in the fight against corruption.

Besides the Risk Map, additional products of this project include policy papers and several roundtables. However, availability of accurate data, verified by credible sources will present the greatest challenge.

Still, this is the first corruption-specific project BCSP has undertaken and it witnesses an overall increase in capacity to research issues related to accountability, transparency, and human resources management in the security sector.