UNIC on the OSCE / OECD International Platform in Vienna

On December 10, the UNIC team showcased Ukraine’s experience in fostering a culture of business integrity and implementing compliance practices at the OSCE and OECD side event “Business Integrity, Compliance, and Internal Controls: From Policy to Practice” in Vienna.

Antonina Prudko, Head of Secretariat at UNIC, and Oleh Lahodienko, CEO of Ethicontrol, presented a project for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which received high praise from international experts and was highlighted as a showcase of practical solutions in business integrity and compliance.

During the panel discussion, alongside representatives from:
 • France’s Anti-Corruption Agency (AFA)
 • ICC Albania
 • Lithuania’s largest state-owned energy company, Litgrid
 • OECD and OSCE experts

Participants explored how anti-corruption policies, compliance frameworks, and internal controls work in practice — moving from formal requirements to real-world business processes.

UNIC presented itself as a collective action initiative that effectively bridges:
 • Government policies
 • Business interests
 • International standards and their practical implementation in companies

The presentation focused on corporate responsibility, internal controls, and compliance "from policy to practice." Ukraine’s experience illustrates the impact of collective action initiatives, enabling SMEs to grasp international standards and shift from basic compliance to fostering a true culture of integrity.

The UNIC team also highlighted:
 • The various roles/identities of UNIC as a collective action platform
 • UNIC’s leadership in the OECD region
 • The international recognition of our projects as successful practical solutions for business

A significant portion of the presentation focused on SME programs that UNIC is implementing in partnership with OSCE, the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the State Employment Service, and the “Made in Ukraine” offices in the Vinnytsia and Cherkasy regions.

International participants particularly noted:
 • The clear and accessible language of our materials
 • Practical tools for businesses
 • The versatility of approaches, adaptable for SMEs in other OSCE/OECD countries

This confirms a significant international demand for practical, accessible integrity tools for SMEs, extending well beyond Ukraine.

We thank the organisers and partners for giving us the opportunity to showcase Ukraine’s experience on the international stage and to contribute to the dialogue on responsible business and integrity.