Launch of the European campaign 'We owe it to each other' of the Open The Whistle project
The campaign is the result of the European project Open the Whistle, coordinated by Transparency International Spain. The project is promoted in Italy, Spain and Bulgaria, with the cooperation of both whistleblowing authorities and civil society organizations, under the scientific supervision of the University of Pisa.
‘Speaking up is an act of mutual care’. This sentence sums up the heart of our campaign.
23rd june 2025. On the occasion of World Whistleblower Day 2025, we are pleased to launch the European campaign ‘We owe it to each other’, an initiative aiming to change the way we represent those who report or expose corruption.
Our goal is to shift the focus away from the individual whistleblower (the one who dares to report wrongdoing) and put the emphasis on all of us. To put us at the center means encouraging anyone to report misconduct in the workplace, protecting the dignity and life plans of those who make this choice (which often implies exposure and loneliness), and promoting a speak-up culture - the idea that wrongdoing must not be met with silence.
"The Anti-Fraud Office of Catalonia - explains the director of Anti-Fraud Prevention, Òscar Roca - joins this initiative that arises from civil society from the conviction that true progress towards the integrity of institutions cannot do without the involvement of citizens and that this must have the support and recognition of society as a whole because we all have an interest in the public interest prevailing."
Discover more: www.openthewhistle.eu
A toolkit for whistleblowing
We don’t just want to promote a cultural shift: we also aim to strengthen the system introduced across Europe by Directive (EU) 2019/1937, which still requires safeguards, improvements, and adjustments.
To support this goal, starting today you can access the Whistleblowing Integrity Toolkit - available online in English, Italian, Spanish, Catalan and Bulgarian — addressing five of the most delicate challenges related to whistleblowing:
- —Transparency and communication
- —Fairness of investigations
- —Data protection
- —Support mechanisms
- —Evaluation of system effectiveness
Each of these areas is also explored through two cross-cutting and innovative lenses: gender sensitivity and Open Government.
This collaborative effort places a special focus on those most at risk of exposure and retaliation. We also identify concrete examples of dialogue and cooperation between competent authorities, public and private entities, and civil society organizations.
Download the toolkit now: www.openthewhistle.eu
How to join the campaign
Join the campaign and help us spread the message! Here’s what you can do:
You can find all resources on the project website: www.openthewhistle.eu
Let's build a stronger and more transparent system together with whistleblowing.
