Photo: EJB

The Integrity Network Initiative was established as a business-driven collective action network to strengthen integrity standards in the Egyptian business environment, to build the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and to tackle some of the most pressing corruption challenges affecting businesses in Egypt. It is implemented by the Egyptian Junior Business Association in cooperation with the United Nations Global Compact.

SMEs – cornerstone of the initiative

The initiative aims to use collective action to tackle pressing corruption challenges and have an impact on creating a cleaner business environment in Egypt in general. However, due to the crucial importance of SMEs to the Egyptian economy, and their often underdeveloped capacity to tackle corruption challenges, they were designated as the cornerstone of the initiative. According to research conducted at Cairo University, SMEs represent 75 percent of the employed workforce and 99 percent of non-agricultural private businesses, a fact alluding to their importance to the Egyptian economy. However, they also face some particular challenges when it comes to countering corruption – challenges they are often insuffi ciently equipped to tackle individually. SMEs are thus the core benefi ciaries of the initiative’s capacity-building and training efforts. The initiative gears its resources toward providing training and support to help SMEs in implementing anti-corruption policies and practices within their organizations. It further incorporates other relevant stakeholders, such as larger companies, civil society, and public-sector stakeholders, to provide a platform for the initiative as well as incentives and support for SMEs.

Approach

1. The Integrity Network Initiative has established a tailored anti-corruption standard in the form of a 10-step “Integrity Pledge.” The standard is complemented by a capacity-building program for SMEs to train the management and the compliance focal points on implementing the standard.

2. The initiative continues to build a surrounding “multi-stakeholder” network of partners that provides a joint platform and support structure for SMEs.


The power of the group

Since its launch in 2014, a number of highly committed members have contributed tremendously to the initiative’s success. Today, the initiative has grown to include a larger number of SMEs, large corporations, and civil society stakeholders that jointly contribute toward its efforts. As more companies join the effort, the initiative aims to create a “lighthouse” that will allow members to benefi t from each other’s experiences while showing to others that integrity can be a viable business option, even under challenging conditions. Thus, through collective action, advancing integrity becomes possible where individual action may be unfeasible. Especially for SMEs, being part of a group can help to strengthen their positions when withstanding corruption, benefi ting from the experiences of others, as well as receiving support and incentives (material and immaterial) from larger members to encourage their commitment. 

More information: www.ejb-act.com