Internet Access and Training Program (IATP)

Press conference on start of the sub-
project entitled, “Anti-Corruption Portal.”

In June IATP and partners began work on a new online portal dedicated to providing a unique online public consultation center addressing corruption issues from citizens across the country through the Internet.

• On July 5, IATP and partner NGO Fund for Struggle Against Corruption (FSAC) hosted a press conference to launch a project entitled, “Anti-Corruption Portal,” with participation of officials from the US Embassy, the United States Agency for International Development, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan, nongovernmental organizations, and media outlets. The main goal of the project is establishment of a Web portal that will serve as free virtual consultation center for citizens faced with corruption problems. It will give an opportunity to citizens across the country to address experts with questions, comments, and complaints about corruption by submitting online inquiries, sending e-mail, or contacting online consultant, discussing relevant issues on forums, and participating in periodic surveys. The anti-corruption portal will not only provide information about applicable laws, but also will help address complaints by forwarding information to appropriate state officials, if needed.

• Within the framework of the project, the first roundtable on the results of a public survey on corruption conducted in Symgayit was held with the participation of local government officials and members of the community on July 17. According to the survey, 47% of respondents in Sumgayit have given bribes for using state services and only 9% of them have encountered corruption in law enforcement bodies. A similar survey and roundtable was held in Salyan on July 27.

Press conference on start of the sub-
project entitled, “Anti-Corruption Portal.”

• More than 40 Azerbaijani citizens voiced their concerns and became informed on the corruption situation in Azerbaijan through IATP’s online forum in a discussion entitled, “What Is the Level of Corruption in Azerbaijan?” with Vasif Movsumov, executive director of the Fund for the Struggle Against Corruption (FSAC), conducted from April 24 to May 4.

• IATP also sponsored publication of booklets and brochures, which were distributed to a large number of citizens during the press conference and roundtables to spread information about the anti-corruption portal, its services, and contacts.