Corruption negatively impacts millions of lives across the globe. Petty corruption, such as bribery or cronyism, erodes trust in basic services and institutions, while large-scale kleptocracy steals public resources meant to deliver critical services to communities in need. Corruption impacts the delivery of health care, the safety of infrastructure, the livelihoods of families, and access to justice. Fighting it is key to strengthening democratic institutions, advancing equity, and building trust in our leadership and our community. Too often, anti-corruption efforts focus exclusively on technical and policy solutions without addressing the social norms, dominant narratives, and enabling environments that allow it to flourish. Can applying social and behavior change (SBC) approaches to anti-corruption work make a difference?
As part of its efforts to update and develop strategic, technical, and policy guidance on countering corruption, USAID ACTF commissioned Metropolitan Group to conduct research on the use of SBC approaches to address social norms and behaviors related to corruption, and develop recommendations on how SBC approaches might be used to improve current and future anti-corruption activities.
MG’s final report, “Countering Corruption Through Social and Behavior Change,” presents the findings identified through five case studies of anti-corruption initiatives that utilized some SBC approaches or elements:
- The International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (Guatemala)
- The Construction Transparency Initiative (Malawi)
- The Anti-Impunity and Gender Equality Initiative (Mexico)
- Maia Sandu and the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) (Moldova)
- Addressing Bribery in the Health Sector (Tanzania)
If you would like to discuss this report, share other case studies, and learn more about how SBC, anti-corruption, and other democracy strengthening efforts might intersect, please email us at SBC@metgroup.com. Our final analysis report is also supplemented by a shorter executive summary, and a brief visual two-pager.