Corruption and the City: How Aid Donors Can Support Integrity Building in Urban Spaces

Main Points:

• Corruption is undermining cities' efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Its effects range from increasing socio-economic inequality to harming the environment.
• City-focused corruption research is needed to inform emerging policy and practice.
• Making information on municipal public finances available to citizens can help reduce knowledge gaps.
• Improving the transparency of municipal public service provision could prevent forms of corruption linked to city services.
• Strengthening citizen engagement in city management may be part of the solution.
• Donors should review their portfolios to consider which urban initiatives could benefit from an enhanced anti-corruption effectiveness lens.