Within the public administration reform from Romania, one of the courses of action aims at strengthening the capacity of public institutions and authorities in order to meet the demands of ethics and integrity in the public service by providing a framework to facilitate the increase of the accountability on the conduct while exercising a public function. We cannot speak of institutional efficacy without taking into account the essential elements that underpin the proper functioning of any public institution – i.e. ethics and integrity at the institutional level – as infringements in this sphere affect the functioning mechanisms, the relationships and procedures within the institution, the relations of the institution with the external environment, the quality of the services and the relationship with the citizens, the institutional image and prestige.