poWer – Partnering for Whistleblower Ecosystem Reinforcement is a European cooperation project that strengthens the protection of whistleblowers by building a more coordinated, effective, and resilient whistleblowing ecosystem across Europe.

Implemented by a consortium of civil society organisations and expert partners from Belgium (BASTA!), Bulgaria (CSD), Italy (LIBERA), Malta (REPUBBLIKA), the Netherlands (EWI), and Romania (ACDD), the project promotes the effective implementation of Directive (EU) 2019/1937 on the protection of whistleblowers. It is grounded in the understanding that strong whistleblower protection does not depend only on legislation, but on genuine cooperation among civil society, public authorities, legal professionals, businesses, journalists, and academia.

The project responds to persistent challenges: uneven transposition of the Directive across Member States, limited public awareness of whistleblower rights, fragmented cooperation between key stakeholders, and insufficient support mechanisms for those who report breaches of EU law. Particular attention is given to public procurement – a sector especially exposed to corruption and misuse of public funds, where effective whistleblowing can meaningfully strengthen transparency and accountability.

Over the course of the project, the consortium will:
– strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations to support and protect whistleblowers;
– deliver specialised training for public authorities, legal practitioners, and other professionals;
– develop practical tools, guidance, and policy recommendations to improve implementation of whistleblower protection frameworks;
– establish multi-stakeholder platforms that foster cooperation and the exchange of good practices across Europe;
– raise public awareness of the vital role whistleblowers play in safeguarding the rule of law, protecting public resources, and promoting integrity.

By combining research, capacity building, advocacy, and international cooperation, poWer works toward an environment where individuals can report wrongdoing safely and with confidence, and where institutions are equipped to respond effectively to disclosures of corruption, fraud, and other breaches of EU law.

The project contributes to strengthening democracy, transparency, good governance, and the rule of law by reinforcing the ecosystem that protects those who speak up in the public interest.