Slovak Z. Dlugošová is the new chairwoman of NEIWA – the network of anti-corruption bodies of EU countries

Brussels – The Chairwoman of the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers (ÚOO) Zuzana Dlugošová was elected as the head of the Network of European Integrity and Whistleblowing Authorities (NEIWA) on Thursday (June 12) in Brussels. This is a European platform bringing together 35 state institutions from 23 European countries that focus on the protection of whistleblowers and the promotion of integrity in accordance with the EU directive on whistleblowers. TASR informed the Office of Prevention and Communication of the ÚOO about this on Friday.

Dlugošová’s election was decided by NEIWA members at the joint 10th assembly in Brussels. Until now, she served as the vice president of this network.

“NEIWA is a platform that connects organizations tasked with supporting and protecting people who have chosen to speak out and highlight unethical practices at work. It is also a source of a vast amount of experience. I want it to continue to be a strong voice and partner that points out what needs to be improved,” emphasized Dlugošová.

The network is a direct response to the adoption of the EU directive on whistleblowers and serves as a platform for exchanging knowledge, experiences, and ideas among its member bodies.

Since March 2023, the NEIWA network has been led by Italian Laura Valli. “I am glad to pass the leadership into the best hands and I am convinced that NEIWA will continue the good work that has been started,” she said regarding the appointment of Dlugošová as the new chairwoman.

In the European NEIWA network, state organizations from the member countries of the European Union are grouped together, primarily serving as a platform for exchanging and disseminating knowledge and experiences in the field of whistleblower protection. It also informally oversees the process of transposing the EU directive No. 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report violations of EU law. The ÚOO from Slovakia has been an active member of this international network since 2021. (June 13)