On May 29, a discussion titled “Collective Action: Anti-Corruption and Transformative Governance” was held in Sofia as part of the “Business Integrity and Sustainability” forum, organized by the Bulgarian Network of the UN Global Compact, Transparency International Bulgaria, and AEJ-Bulgaria.
Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev opened the event, emphasizing the importance of transparent legislation on lobbying and cooperation between the public sector, the business community, and civil society in the fight against corruption.
Mr. Kalin Slavov, Executive Director of Transparency International Bulgaria emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of integrity in the workplace that channels the negative energy stemming from frustration into active concern for the common good. According to him, individuals who report irregularities often do so as an expression of wounded professional pride—energy that can be channeled constructively if companies build an internal culture of openness and trust.
He also addressed the issue of lobbying and the need for transparency in the representation of interests. Mr. Slavov emphasized that there is a risk the new lobbying law could create new vulnerabilities to corruption if key principles of transparency and accountability are not taken into account in a timely manner.
Commenting on the culture of reporting corruption, he also highlighted the positive change among young people: “The students we work with do not feel a psychological barrier to speaking out about corruption. They don’t feel like they’re snitching—this holds great potential for future change.”
Business representatives — from the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, Confindustria, and the Solvay Group—shared best practices on ethical management, internal communication, and the protection of whistleblowers.
The moderator, Ms Kremena Chobanova, Deputy Executive Director of Transparency International Bulgaria, summarized that the discussion clearly demonstrated the business community’s willingness to act collectively by sharing experiences, applying ethical standards, and partnering with institutions, the media, and civil society organizations.
Sustainable progress requires the government to play an active role—a clear and up-to-date legal framework, regulatory predictability and stability, and transparent management of public enterprises. She also emphasized the importance of the media as a guarantor of integrity and accountability. “Change happens from the inside out, but also through allies and partners—only in this way can we build a solid foundation for integrity and sustainability.”
