FIBGAR delivers the first training sessions on the protection of whistleblowers as part of the VoiceGuard project
Over the last few days, FIBGAR has delivered the first training sessions on the protection of whistleblowers as part of the European VoiceGuard project, bringing together professionals from various fields interested in strengthening integrity, transparency and protection mechanisms for those who report potential irregularities.
The training sessions, which were online and free of charge, were aimed at compliance officers, legal and human resources professionals, public sector staff, representatives of civil society organisations, journalists and others interested in learning about and strengthening the mechanisms for protecting whistleblowers within their organisations.
About VoiceGuard
VoiceGuard: Whistleblower Empowerment & Support Initiative is a European project co-funded by the European Union through the Citizenship, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme, with a duration of 24 months.
The project is led by a consortium comprising FIBGAR, Novel Group, Transparency International Bulgaria, Transparency International Romania, Oživení and md_brainnovation, and aims to strengthen the effective implementation of whistleblower protection systems in various European Union countries.
Building on previous research into the actual needs and implementation challenges in six Member States (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Spain, Greece, Luxembourg and Romania), VoiceGuard is developing training materials, practical tools and capacity-building activities designed to strengthen the knowledge, skills and organisational practices necessary to effectively protect those who report irregularities, thereby promoting a stronger culture of integrity in public and private organisations. Among its outcomes, VoiceGuard will provide whistleblowers with an information platform where they can find out about their rights, the existing channels for reporting irregularities and how to do so safely. The project will also feature a network of professionals whom whistleblowers can turn to for legal and psychological support throughout the process.
Training as part of the project
Training is one of VoiceGuard’s key areas of work, aimed at helping various professionals and relevant stakeholders gain a better understanding of whistleblowers’ rights, existing protection mechanisms and the challenges posed by their practical implementation.
Through these training sessions, VoiceGuard seeks to equip professionals from various fields – such as compliance, human resources, legal advisory services, public administration, civil society organisations and the media, amongst others – with practical knowledge of the legal framework for protection (Directive (EU) 2019/1937 and its transposition in each country, the mechanisms for managing reporting channels, investigation procedures and measures to protect against retaliation.
The training courses combine theoretical sessions with practical exercises, case studies and organisational self-assessment tools, and form part of the project’s wider work: the research carried out in the early stages of VoiceGuard (needs analysis, assessment of organisational capabilities and study of best practice) directly informs the training content, whilst the questions and experiences shared by participants in each session in turn inform subsequent project activities.
Initial training sessions delivered by FIBGAR
Within this framework, FIBGAR has delivered the project’s first training sessions, providing a space for learning and debate on the protection of whistleblowers.
The sessions enabled participants to address the key aspects relating to the protection of those who report potential irregularities and, at the same time, to share experiences and perspectives from different professional fields.
One of the most enriching aspects of the sessions was precisely the exchange of ideas generated amongst the participants. The questions and discussions enabled the group to address some of the practical challenges organisations face when establishing reporting mechanisms and ensuring that whistleblowers can use them safely.
Participation in the training sessions
The first sessions were attended by professionals and interested individuals from various sectors.
The first FIBGAR sessions had 48 registered participants, of whom 30 ultimately attended the training, which was spread over two days.
Some data collected from these training sessions:
Registered participants: 48
Participants: 30
Number of sessions: 2
Professional background of participants: Public administration, universities and research centres, civil society organisations/NGOs, private organisations, the media, law firms/legal advisory services, and other roles (7 sectors in total)
Women: 21 / 70%
Men: 9 / 30%
Other / unspecified: 0 / 0%
Countries represented: 1 (Spain)
These figures will demonstrate the scope of the initial activities and the diversity of professional backgrounds of those who took part in them.
A shared experience within the consortium
The training courses delivered by FIBGAR form part of a wider capacity-building process developed jointly by the organisations that make up the VoiceGuard consortium.
Beyond the transfer of knowledge, the sessions have demonstrated the value of creating spaces for dialogue between professionals with different experiences and responsibilities.
The questions raised and the discussions held during the training sessions brought to the fore issues relating to the practical application of protection mechanisms, trust in information channels, the responsibilities of organisations, and the conditions necessary to create environments in which people can report potential irregularities without fear of reprisals.
This exchange also serves as a source of learning for the project itself, as it helps to identify concerns, needs and challenges that can help guide VoiceGuard’s future activities.
We at FIBGAR would like to express our special thanks to everyone who took part in these initial sessions for their time, their interest and, in particular, for the questions, experiences and insights they shared.
Their participation has helped to turn the training sessions into spaces for collective learning and debate, highlighting the importance of continuing to work towards consolidating a culture of integrity and ensuring the effective protection of whistleblowers.
FIBGAR’s first training sessions thus represent an initial step in the work that the consortium will continue to carry out within the framework of VoiceGuard, with the aim of strengthening knowledge, capacities and practices relating to the protection of whistleblowers.
