The program seeks to combine sophisticated research, strategic anticorruption advocacy, follow-up activities, and tools for measuring, monitoring, and reporting on anti-corruption efforts in the Middle East and North Africa to support reform efforts in Egypt - presented in a nonadversarial manner and in the context of the broader Arab world - through well-crafted strategic statements, research and advocacy.

The MABDA project aims to undertake a new series of studies within a process of strategic planning to advocate for the implementation of priority recommendations, and sustained monitoring and measurement of anticorruption progress.

In order to understand the systemic causes of corruption, TI has developed the concept of the National Integrity System (NIS). The NIS describes the interrelated and interdependent functions of those key institutions and sectors within a society that contribute to integrity, transparency, and accountability. Each Study assesses the NIS in a given country and makes recommendations on priority areas for anti-corruption reform.

Building the capacity of local civil society to monitor and measure the implementation and impact of anti-corruption reform efforts and to increase demand for improved governance, with an emphasis on Egypt in particular.

Developing the NIS study methodology for the Arab world to allow more focused and strategic advocacy and other capacity-building activities which will serve as follow-up to recommendations.

Developing and implementing national civil society advocacy strategies and plans to promote and assist in the effective implementation of priority anticorruption reforms, involving government, civil society, and/or private sector partners depending on the strategy developed.

Supporting joint action with Egyptian civil society; led and sustained through regional support from TI National Chapters, a model that has been successful in other countries in the region. The program committee is led by representatives of TI members in the Arab world, and facilitated by a TI International Secretariat staff member located in the region.

Outcomes of the Project

Egyptian civil society, other Arab world partners and target stakeholders in Egypt and the region will have an increased and more up- o-date understanding of the achievements and shortcomings of national integrity systems in each partner country and possible strategies to address these.

At the same time, completed NIS Country studies and UNCAC Gap Analyses provide an up-to-date information pool catered specifically toward target audiences as well as the general public, which is available for them to make informed decisions on their actions.

Together, these achievements will serve as the basis for national advocacy activities. Monitoring of anti-corruption progress will contribute towards increased demand for effective anti-corruption reforms while pressure increased on stakeholders to reach and maintain international anti-corruption standards will help bring about concrete changes in policy and practice.

Overall, this will result in civil society being strengthened on a regional level through networking and constructive cooperation in order to better oppose corruption and promote good governance throughout the Arab world.