APK ranks Kosovo second in Europe for anti-corruption innovation

Kosovo has achieved a significant result in the field of anti-corruption innovation, after the project of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (APK), “School for Integrity and Corruption Prevention: Empowering Young People to Build a Culture of Integrity,” was recognized as one of the five most innovative initiatives in Europe and ranked second following a vote by the network’s participating institutions.

The news was made public today, at the conclusion of assessments conducted during the 25th Annual Professional Conference and General Assembly of the European Partners Against Corruption (EPAC) and the European Anti-Corruption Contact-point Network (EACN). The event was held from October 5 to 7, 2026, in Budva, Montenegro.

The Agency for the Prevention of Corruption took part in the conference through a delegation led by Director Yll Buleshkaj, which also included Milot Shala, Head of the Whistleblowing Division.

The conference brought together anti-corruption authorities, police oversight bodies, European Union institutions and international organizations. Discussions focused on protecting the EU’s financial interests, artificial intelligence and mechanisms for protecting whistleblowers.

According to the APK, its initiative, implemented in cooperation with D+, was selected among the five most innovative projects from 114 European institutions. Following a vote by the network’s participating institutions, the project took second place.

“This extraordinary success for Kosovo in anti-corruption innovation was achieved after the APK initiative, ‘School for Integrity and Corruption Prevention: Empowering Young People to Build a Culture of Integrity,’ implemented in cooperation with D+, was selected among the five most innovative projects from 114 institutions in Europe. Following the voting process, the project was awarded second place by the network’s participating institutions,” the APK said in a statement.

During the General Assembly meeting, the Budva Declaration was also adopted. The document highlights the need for concrete cooperation in the fight against corruption and expresses concern over efforts in some countries to restrict the independence of institutions responsible for preventing corruption. The declaration also emphasizes the need to preserve these institutions’ operational autonomy and protect whistleblowers.

The APK stated that through this initiative, which ranked Kosovo second in Europe, the importance of educating young people as one of the key pillars for preventing corruption and creating a culture of integrity in society has been confirmed.