Transparency International Lithuania (TI Lithuania), together with other Transparency International chapters from France, Netherlands, Portugal, Ireland, Slovakia, Czech Republic and the European Union, is implementing the ‘Strengthening and fostering enabling environment for whistleblowers in the European Union (SAFE for Whistleblowers)’ initiative from March 2024. It is aimed at strengthening the protection of whistleblowers across the EU.
Whistleblowers are an important part of the democratic system, helping to identify and investigate corruption in the public and private sectors. Increased reporting by individuals of suspicious or illegal activities in their organisations and institutions would help to prevent misconduct more quickly and build resilience to corruption.
However, according to various surveys and studies, the majority of potential whistleblowers choose not to provide available information due to fear of retaliation, potential impact and uncertainty about reporting procedures.
Since 2009, TI Lithuania has been active in the field of whistleblower protection, contributing to the development of the legal framework and the implementation and improvement of whistleblower protection in Lithuania. In partnership with the competent authority, the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Lithuania, TI Lithuania conducted 3 data-driven studies and organised 3 “Whistleblower Protection Forums” in order to provide more data on whistleblower protection in Lithuania and to encourage better protection of whistleblowers.
TI Lithuania continues to be actively involved in improving whistleblower protection as part of the SAFE for Whistleblowers initiative. As part of this initiative, we have set the following objectives:
- to improve the knowledge of potential whistleblowers about the whistleblowing and protection frameworks;
- to assess the current situation of the implementation of whistleblower protection, the existing gaps, and identify the necessary next steps for better functioning;
- to improve the implementation of whistleblower protection at the workplace;
- to analyse the role of the judges and the potential challenges in the enforcing whistleblower protection.
Together with partners, TI Lithuania is working to ensure a favourable environment for whistleblowers and their protection at national and European Union level.
You can read about our previous initiatives on whistleblower protection here.
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