LEG SAI – Safeguarding SAI Legal Frameworks
Strong laws make strong institutions.
Across the world, Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) face rising political and institutional pressure that often escapes the headlines while chipping away at democracy. IDI’s experience through its SAI Rapid Advocacy Mechanism (SIRAM) confirms what we now know: weak legal frameworks leave SAIs unprotected from threats.
The LEG SAI Initiative builds on these insights. By fostering leadership, building capacity, and connecting participants to a global network of legal experts, IDI helps SAIs defend and improve their oversight role. Because legal protection isn’t just about shielding SAIs from threats. It’s about empowering them to lead with authority, hold governments to account, and safeguard the public interest.
“IDI’s long-standing expertise is undeniable.
Their work has made a real difference, and will continue to do so.
I strongly encourage all SAIs facing threats to their independence to reach out to IDI as soon as challenges arise.”
— Mr. Marian Banaś, Auditor General, Poland
How we support SAIs to stand strong in the face of legal threats
To be truly independent, SAIs need more than strong intentions, they need strong laws, systems, and skills to match. Yet too often, they face legal uncertainty without the tools to respond. That’s where IDI’s LEG SAI Initiative comes in.
We’re building legal and legislative readiness within SAIs by tackling both the structural gaps and the capacity constraints that leave them vulnerable. Our approach is grounded in real-world experience, and driven by collaboration across the global accountability and rule of law community.
Through four interlinked areas of action, we enable SAIs to lead with confidence:
- Convening: We bring SAIs together with legal and institutional experts, from within INTOSAI and beyond, to tackle shared challenges.
- Connecting: We foster new alliances between SAIs and thought leaders in topics like integrity, rule of law, and legal reform.
- Broadening perspectives: We offer spaces to question, reflect, and co-create new thinking around legal independence.
- Strengthening capacities: We provide practical tools, guidance, and targeted support to empower SAIs and their staff to champion legal resilience.
This is an evolving effort rooted in learning, grounded in expertise, and focused on long-term change.
Products and Areas of Focus
Through our initiative, we provide practical tools and tailored support to help SAIs strengthen their legal foundations and navigate complex legal and political environments. From peer-to-peer exchange and capacity-building workshops to assessment tools and access to legal resources, these expert-designed products prepare SAIs not only for times of challenge but also to build long-term resilience.
Our Team
Freddy Yves Ndjemba
SAI Governance Department
Laurent Grosse-Kozlowski
SAI Governance Department
Luis Robas
SAI Governance Department
The LEG SAI team goes beyond IDI.
The LEG SAI team goes beyond IDI. We bring together a global network of internal staff, external experts, and associates from across the INTOSAI community and beyond. With deep experience in different legal systems and institutional designs, our team combines practical knowledge with legal expertise to support SAIs in strengthening their independence.
Because SAIs do not operate in isolation, we make sure our work reflects the complex ecosystems of state and non-state actors with which they interact. By drawing on this diverse resource pool, SAIs can rely on a community of support that helps them prepare for challenges and build resilience. We are always open to partnerships and welcome new collaborators—if you are interested in contributing, please reach out to us at the LEG SAI team.
Want to get involved in the LEG SAI initiative?
We welcome partners, advocates, and legal experts who share our commitment to protecting and strengthening the independence of SAIs. Get in touch to explore how you can contribute to our network and support efforts to safeguard accountability worldwide.