June 23: World Corruption Whistleblower Day

Press release

València, 23 june 2025.- Today, June 23, is the World Day of the Corruption Whistleblower. The civic value of the day lies in the collective importance of defending those who denounce irregularities and contribute to the defence of the general interest. Whistleblowers, whistleblowers or informants often face situations of harassment at work and social that, in many cases, also have an impact on their personal and family life. And until recently, they did not have public mechanisms for advice, support and preventive protection.

 

The Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency (AVAF) was the first public institution in Spain to have a specific legal mandate in 2016 for the protection of whistleblowers of fraud and corruption. Even before Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law was approved.

 

In addition, since 30 May, the Agency has been the independent whistleblower protection authority of the Valencian Community and has the scope of application and functions provided for in Law 2/2003, of 20 February, regulating the protection of people who report regulatory breaches and the fight against corruption.

 

In its eight years of history, the AVAF has guaranteed the right to receive legal advice to any person who reports or denounces facts that may correspond to situations of corruption or fraud, regardless of whether they have been formally recognized as a protected person. In the exercise of this right, during 2024, the AVAF provided a total of 91 legal advice to whistleblowers.

 

In this regard, since 2016, the Agency has granted protection status to 35 natural persons and one legal person. In addition, in 2024, a further step has been taken in the comprehensive whistleblower protection system, becoming the first Spanish institution to offer psychological support to people protected by fraud and corruption alerts.

 

At the General Assembly on 12 and 13 June of the European Network of Independent Authorities for the Protection of Whistleblowers (NEIWA), the work of the AVAF in the protection of whistleblowers was recognised. The meeting also approved the Brussels Declaration, which reaffirms the principles of independence and cooperation shared by NEIWA members for the effective defence of whistleblowers and urges states to strengthen technical warning systems and guarantees for the protection of whistleblowers.

 

The full text of the statement can be consulted at the following link:

https://www.mediateurfederal.be/sites/default/files/2025-06/NEIWA-10th-General-Assembly-Brussels-Declaration-13.06.2025-final.pdf

AVAF strengthens integrity training for the management and teaching staff of Universitat Jaume I

Courses
Castelló de la Plana, 16 june 2025.– The Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency (AVAF), through its Training Area, has delivered a session aimed at the management (PTGAS) and teaching and research staff (PDI) of the Universitat Jaume I of Castelló (UJI), focused on promoting a culture of integrity in the university environment.

 

Under the title “Culture of Prevention: Strategies for an Ethical Administration”, the session was organized by the UJI’s Educational Training and Innovation Unit (UFIE) and held in the auditorium of the Research Building II.

 

The programme addressed the main integrity risks in university administrative management, as well as the institutional anti-corruption framework at European, national, and regional levels.

 

It also covered practical aspects such as the risks associated with public procurement and the importance of internal reporting systems, which are mandatory for universities under Law 2/2023. The session concluded with a participatory workshop on risks in public decision-making.

 

The event was attended by Modesto Fabra Valls, Vice-Rector for Economic and Strategic Planning at UJI, who accompanied the AVAF teaching team during the training session.

 

With this session, AVAF’s Training Area concludes its activities for the first half of 2025, after having delivered training to a wide range of institutions.

 

These include the first training activity carried out in a hospital, as well as sessions with local administrations, regional ministries, foundations, educational centres — such as schools and secondary institutions — and universities. Sessions were also held at the Barcelona Provincial Council, in regional ministries from autonomous communities such as Aragon and the Canary Islands, in state entities such as IMSERSO, and two editions of the course with the National Institute of Public Administration (INAP).

 

If you would like to receive specialized training on integrity and corruption prevention, do not hesitate to write to formacion@antifraucv.es

 

In the images:

  • Modesto Fabra Valls, Vice-Rector for Economic and Strategic Planning at Universitat Jaume I of Castelló

  • Anselm Bodoque Arribas, acting coordinator of the Training, Participation, Communication and Relations with Other Entities Area at the Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency

  • María Teresa López Ferrer, training officer in the Training, Participation, Communication and Relations with Other Entities Area at the Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency

  • Pilar Moreno García, training officer in the Training, Participation, Communication and Relations with Other Entities Area at the Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency

  • María Amparo Oliver Carbonell, training officer in the Training, Participation, Communication and Relations with Other Entities Area at the Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency

 
 

The Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency and IMSERSO promote public integrity through a training session

Courses
València, 11 june 2025.- Over 50 professionals from the Institute for the Elderly and Social Services (IMSERSO) participated in the training session “Integrity and the Fight Against Corruption: Law 2/2023,” organized by the Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency (AVAF) as part of IMSERSO’s internal training plan for 2025.

 

The activity, delivered by the AVAF’s Training Department, included participation from staff of the IMSERSO’s Subdirectorate General for Planning, Organisation and Evaluation, as well as several national reference centers, including CEAPAT, the Rare Diseases Center in Burgos, the Center for the Recovery of People with Physical Disabilities (CRMF), and the Alzheimer and Other Dementias Center in Salamanca, among others.

 

Key topics covered during the session included the institutional integrity system, the importance of fostering a culture of integrity in public administration, major risks of fraud and corruption, and the whistleblower protection mechanisms established in Law 2/2023 on the protection of persons reporting regulatory violations and combating corruption.

 

The session concluded with a participatory workshop on conflict of interest, which allowed attendees to deepen their understanding of how to detect and properly manage such conflicts in the public sector.

 

Through this initiative, the Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency strengthens its role in supporting and advising public institutions in the promotion of integrity—this time with IMSERSO, a body under the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030.

 

If you would like to provide your public administration with specialized training on integrity and anti-corruption, feel free to write to formacion@antifraucv.es

 

In the images: Anselm Bodoque, acting coordinator of the Training, Participation, Communication and Relations with Other Entities Area of the AVAF; Pilar Moreno, senior training officer at the Agency; and Marita Oliver, senior training officer at the AVAF.