- Funding Programme
- Year
- 2021
Improving the integrity and transparency framework in Malta
The project is delivered with support of OECD and aims at helping the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life in Malta to strengthen its mandate, procedures and operational capacity, as well as its control and asset verification functions. The project will contribute to improving the ethics framework in Malta, by providing a series of recommendations on the Code of Ethics and related guidelines and on strengthening transparency and curbing undue influence in lobbying.
Context
In recent years, Malta has started reforms to strengthen the judicial independence and to provide a clearer separation between the Executive and the judicial functions. However, Malta has long-standing issues related to pending GRECO, Venice Commission and European Semester recommendations on conflicts of interest of its politically exposed persons, insufficient powers granted to the Commissioner for Standards of Public Life (an independent body providing advice and checking compliance of public officials with ethics rules in Malta) and loopholes in the integrity legislation and its implementing tools. More specifically, Malta needs to further strengthen transparency in lobbying, verification of asset declarations and gifts, and whistleblower protection.
Support delivered
The technical support includes an organisational review of the Office and recommendations for amending the Standards in Public Life Act to strengthen the oversight role of the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life. Moreover, the support also entails recommendations on the process of collection and verification of asset and conflict of interest declarations and on the Code of Ethics and related guidelines for Members of Parliament, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries. Finally, the support also comprises a series of capacity development and awareness raising activities.
Expected results
The project is expected to lead to a strengthened capacity of the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life to perform its advisory and control role vis-a-vis members of the Parliament and of the Executive, by an improved and reinforced legal framework and control mandate.
Moreover, the technical support is expected to result into a strengthened integrity framework in Malta by increasing transparency on lobbying activities, a more thorough verification of gifts and asset declarations of the Maltese officials and more clarity on conflict of interest rules.
More about the project
You can read the documents related to the project here: