EWI supports Irish authorities in advancing whistleblower protection
The European Whistleblowing Institute (EWI) conducted a training on Whistleblowing Law and Policy under European Union Law to a group of professionals from Irish authorities responsible for handling whistleblower cases – the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner (OPDC) and Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman. This training aimed to enhance the competency and effectiveness of the Irish national authorities responsible for handling whistleblower reports in compliance with the EU Whistleblower Directive.
The EU Whistleblower Directive was approved in 2019 and Member States had two years to transpose it into their national laws. One of its requirements is that Member States must establish external reporting channels to handle whistleblower cases and provide specific training for the purpose of handling reports. The European Whistleblowing Institute supports Member States in complying with the EU Whistleblower Directive by providing tailored training on how to handle whistleblower reports, adapted to national needs.
This training was conducted under Project BRIGHT – Building Resilience through Integrity, Good Governance, and Honesty Training, co-funded by the European Commission. Under this project, the European Whistleblowing Institute is dedicated to delivering training to competent authorities of Member States of the European Union responsible for handling whistleblowing cases.
These trainings aim to increase the competency and effectiveness of relevant authorities in handling whistleblower cases, understanding the laws and regulations, and implementing the necessary actions with due diligence. They are also designed to improve authorities’ understanding of whistleblowing processes, their significance, potential challenges, and strategies for protection against retaliation.
The European Whistleblowing Institute will continue to work with partners across Europe and beyond to strengthen legal frameworks, ensure effective enforcement, and advance legal education, professional development, and institutional capacity in the field of whistleblowing.
