GRECO

GRECO, the Group of States against Corruption, is a body of the Council of Europe established in 1999 to monitor and promote compliance with anti-corruption standards among its member states. Its aim is to strengthen national capacity to prevent and combat corruption through evaluation, recommendations, and follow-up, contributing to higher governance and transparency across member states.

Its work centers on evaluating anti-corruption measures through two main strands: prevention in the public sector and the criminal-law aspects of corruption, including sanctions for public officials and others in positions of public trust. GRECO’s evaluations assess how well states’ legal frameworks, institutions, and practices align with agreed standards, and identify gaps and priorities for reform. The organization also addresses areas such as conflicts of interest, political funding, and internal controls.

Evaluation rounds involve independent rapporteurs, on-site visits, and the preparation of evaluation reports with recommendations. States respond with action plans detailing steps to implement the recommendations; GRECO then monitors progress and periodically publishes compliance reports to reflect the degree of implementation. The process emphasizes dialogue and cooperation among states to achieve concrete improvements in anti-corruption governance.

GRECO operates within the Council of Europe framework and is open to all its member states. Its Secretariat is based in Strasbourg, and its work is conducted by plenary bodies and smaller committees that adopt conclusions and recommendations. Publications, including evaluation reports and compliance updates, are publicly available on its website, contributing to transparency and accountability across member states.