Press Release
ptf@partnershipfortransparency.info
http://www.partnershipfortransparency.info
ADB Boosting PTF’s Resources in its Fight Against Corruption in Asia
Washington DC, May 3 2006.
The Asian Development Bank, working with the Partnership for Transparency Fund (PTF), is making a technical assistance grant of US$150,000 to strengthen the role of civil society in the fight against corruption.
PTF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fighting corruption by supports individual projects managed by civil society organizations across the developing world. Pierre Landell-Mills, President and CEO of PTF, said, “We are delighted to be working with the ADB. This is the first time that the ADB has made a grant of this kind and we believe that it will prove in time to be a model for engaging the ADB in partnerships with civil society across Asia in implementing specific anti-corruption projects that can have a formidable impact.”
The technical assistance will support non-governmental organizations in India, Mongolia, Pakistan and the Philippines that can develop projects that meet PTF’s criteria. Mr. Landell-Mills said, “We are particularly interested in projects that can be replicated and that by their example can demonstrate how small amounts of funding that are well managed and effectively targeted can have a major impact. Our experience in these countries augurs well for the success of this new approach with the ADB.”
PTF has made more than US$800,000 of grants to some 45 civil society organizations across the developing world in the last five years. Grants are typically for $25,000 or less and the evaluations of completed projects are routinely posted on PTF’s website (http://partnershipfortransparency.info/index.html).
The ADB announced the grant on May 2, 2006 and quoted ADB Vice President Geert van der Linden as stating: “Over the last decade, societies have come to realize the extent to which corruption and bribery have undermined their welfare and stability, and hindered development efforts. Governments, the private sector, and civil society alike have declared the fight against corruption to be of the highest priority.” He added, “The fight against corruption cannot be won without citizens’ support, participation, and vigilance. The media, civic and business association, trade unions, and other nongovernmental actors play a crucial role in fostering public discussion of corruption and increasing awareness about the negative impacts of corruption.”
The grant capitalizes on the work undertaken by PTF over the past five years to foster the role of CSOs as innovators, mobilizers, and monitors in support of effective measures to combat corruption. It gives voice to civil society, and demonstrate the value of partnerships between government, civil society, and ADB.
PTF is also discussing substantial grants from other important funding agencies to support its work in Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union.
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