In line with the project workplan, in December 2016 the project set up four experts working group tasked to prepare and conduct the following studies/researches: i) typologies of corruption affecting the entrepreneurs at the regional and municipal levels; ii) forms and manifestation of corrupt practices in the procurement processes at the municipal level; iii) impact of inspections on business processes at municipal level and iv) corruption factors and trends in public services. Each working group consists of Council of Europe experts (international and national) and representatives of Regional Business Ombudsman Offices from the four pilot regions, supported by the members of the the Secretariat of the Federal Business Ombudsman and the project management team.

On 20-21 December 2016, the first meetings of the four working groups were held in Moscow. Each working group discussed and agreed on the methodology, scope and means of data collection for conducting the respective study. Main findings and recommendations of the studies will be presented to and discussed with national stakeholders at several regional events planned to take place in the pilot regions during January – March 2017.