Blog
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Why measuring transparency isn’t as simple as it sounds – and how BridgeGap is changing that
When we talk about accountability and anti-corruption, one word shows up again and again: transparency. But here’s the problem: for years, researchers have struggled to measure transparency in a meaningful, comparable way across countries. Laws may look good on paper, but what actually happens in practice can be very different. That challenge is exactly what…
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From our Experts: BridgeGap at the 6th edition of the 24-hour Conference on Global Organized Crime
On 3 December 2025, the global fight against transnational crime convenes online for the sixth edition of the 24-hour Conference on Global Organized Crime (OC24). This streamlined, 16-hour event remains a premier forum for uniting the world’s leading researchers, journalists, and frontline practitioners to dissect the most pressing threats from global criminal networks. This year’s…
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Call for contributors: Help mapping transparency in Europe
How transparent are European countries in practice? The latest research for the European Transparency Map is underway, and we need your expertise. Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, in collaboration with MA students, have expanded the project to assess over 40 countries, now including two critical new dimensions: political finance and lobbying transparency. They are inviting country experts to…
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From our Experts:BridgeGap at the EU Network Against Corruption Plenary Meeting
In mid-October, Brussels was the focal point for the fight against corruption as the EU Network Against Corruption held its Plenary Meeting. The two-day event brought together leading policymakers, practitioners, and representatives from civil society to exchange best practices and strengthen Europe’s collective efforts to promote integrity. BridgeGap was proud to contribute to this critical…
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New Deliverable: Case Studies of Best Practice and Critical Incidents at Organisational Level (Public, Private and Hybrid Organisations, as well as Public–Private Partnerships) Responding to (Trans)national Risks
Photo credits: Transparency International A comprehensive study by Adina Dudau, Alvise Favotto, Georgios Kominis, Denisse Rodriguez-Olivari from the University of Glasgow – Adam Smith Business School examines organizational Integrity Management Systems (IMS) across five sectors at high risk of corruption: defence, critical infrastructure, healthcare, professional sport, and banking. The report was produced under the Work…
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Andrej Babiš’s Return and Europe’s Corruption Dilemma
Massimo Privitera, University of Antwerp Photo Credits: Financial Times Czech voters have once again placed their trust in Andrej Babiš, a billionaire populist whose career has been shadowed by protracted legal battles over allegations of defrauding European Union funds. His ANO party brought him back to power, despite a fraud trial looming over him and…
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EU Funding in time of crisis: Is there a trade-off between swiftness and accountability?
Massimo Privitera, University of Antwerp The pattern has become drearily predictable: the European Union creates massive funding mechanisms to address pressing crises, only to see them become breeding grounds for fraud and corruption. As new allegations emerge about misused recovery funds, Brussels now proposes yet another instrument – the Security and Defence Facility (SAFE) –…
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Seeking Reviewers with Criminal Law Expertise
Photo Credits: rnnlawmd.com BridgeGap is currently mapping and comparing criminal law frameworks on corruption in 40 different countries across the European area. To ensure consistent data collection, we have developed and completed a structured questionnaire covering four key dimensions of analysis, aiming to assess the structure of relevant offences, applicable sanctions, and certain procedural aspects. On 31…