Conflicts of interest can influence decisions that harm the environment. Principles of good governance (such as transparency, ethical conduct, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law) are fundamental to protecting natural resources. This perspectives were shared by two members of the Rule of Law Youth Network (RoLYN) during a Council of Europe Conference on conflicts of interest in the public sector.

As active members of youth civil society in their country, RoLYN representatives had the opportunity to bring a youth perspective to the Conference held in Tunis, making the link between conflicts of interest and threats to the environment. They also benefited from the expertise of other participants from Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, including national authorities from their country. During the discussions, Soulaimane Oumou, from Youth for Climate Morocco, asked how to ensure that climate and water-related projects are safeguarded from corruption and conflicts of interest, especially given the significant international funding they receive. The responses, he noted, must include “rigorous governance mechanisms, transparent procurement processes, and regular audits” to ensure responsible and effective management of resources.

Building on this discussion, Maha Missaoui from the Tunisian Association for Environment and Nature alerted : “When public officials or decision-makers prioritise personal or private interests over the public good, it opens the door to corruption (...) This weakens governance frameworks, compromises decision-making processes, and allows practices like illegal logging, pollution, and resource overexploitation to persist unchecked".

As the RoLYN training path enters a new phase focused on project implementation, the Conference enriched the knowledge gained during the network's successive training sessions by providing practical case studies. Soulaimane Oumou highlights the importance of transparency in the planning and execution of environmental projects, particularly those internationally funded. He states that he now feels equipped "to analyse conflicts of interest and mitigate their risks by adhering to applicable laws and guidelines, ensuring the sustainability of projects." Maha Missaoui adds that strategies to address conflicts of interest align with her organisation’s mission to promote environmental rights and fight corruption. Applying these approaches, she aims to strengthen advocacy, raise awareness, and push for better governance to ensure transparent and effective environmental policies.

Launched in March 2024 as an initiative of the Council of Europe’s North-South Centre, RoLYN engages young representatives from youth organisations in a series of capacity-building activities exploring the links between corruption and environmental degradation. The activities of the RoLYN are supported by the joint programme between the European Union and the Council of Europe South Programme V, “Protecting human rights, the rule of law, and democracy through shared standards in the Southern Mediterranean” – co-financed by both organisations and implemented by the Council of Europe.

The initiative is also supported by the North-South Centre's Peace YP programme. The programme promotes Euro-African cooperation to enhance youth participation for peace, with financial support from the governments of Malta, Portugal, and Spain.

 To learn more about the Rule of Law Youth Network, visit this webpage.