Kosovo’s Anti-Corruption Agency (APK) says it has taken concrete steps to strengthen accountability, preventive mechanisms and public integrity during the first half of 2026, in line with European Union standards.
In its six-month report covering January through June, the agency said it carried out a series of activities focused on assessing corruption risks in legislation and identifying corruption vulnerabilities across various sectors and areas.
As part of its assessment of corruption risks in legislation, the APK held four information meetings with public institutions regarding their legislative programs and plans for 2026.
During the reporting period, the agency assessed three draft normative acts — one draft law and two secondary pieces of legislation — and issued a total of 26 recommendations. Ten of those recommendations have already been addressed, while the remaining recommendations are still under review.
The assessments identified several potential corruption risks, including ambiguities related to legal harmonization, regulatory gaps and insufficient preventive mechanisms. The agency also highlighted excessive discretion and procedures or steps that are not clearly defined.
In the area of corruption risk assessment, the APK said it developed and approved a new methodology in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The agency has also launched a corruption risk assessment process in public procurement. A 25-member working group was established, bringing together representatives from various institutions, public enterprises, municipalities and civil society. Three meetings of the working group have been held so far.
With support from the Council of Europe’s Project against Economic Crime (PECK III), the APK also organized a four-day activity involving 30 representatives from administrative institutions and public enterprises. The initiative focused on helping institutions implement findings from corruption risk assessments, develop appropriate mitigation measures and monitor their effectiveness.
In cooperation with the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI), the agency organized a four-day national training program on corruption risk assessment and legislative corruption assessment, focusing on the security sector as well as nature and biodiversity protection.
A total of 54 representatives from relevant institutions and civil society participated in the training.
During the reporting period, the APK completed a self-assessment of whistleblower protection and asset declaration mechanisms. It is also finalizing self-assessments concerning conflicts of interest and anti-corruption policies.
The processes are being carried out in line with the OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN) guidelines under the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan’s fifth round of monitoring.
The agency said the measures are intended to strengthen Kosovo’s preventive approach to corruption by improving the early identification of risks, strengthening the legal and institutional framework, and developing and implementing concrete measures to manage and reduce corruption vulnerabilities.
“The Anti-Corruption Agency remains committed to strengthening preventive mechanisms and supporting public institutions in building a more effective system of integrity, transparency and accountability,” the agency said.
