Switzerland

Building Ukraine's next generation of anti-corruption champions

Ukraine’s reconstruction and EU accession will depend on people who can put anti-corruption reforms into practice. A paid internship programme developed and led by Transparency International Ukraine TI Ukraine in partnership with the Basel Institute on Governance is building exactly that pool of talent. The initiative is currently in its third year, with support from the Principality of Liechtenstein and prior institutional support for TI Ukraine from the Swedish International Development Agency SIDA . In just three years, 42 interns have completed the programme – and alumni are already working at TI Ukraine, the High Anti-Corruption Court, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention and other key institutions. The 2026 cohort ended its placements with a study visit to Liechtenstein and Switzerland. One of the 2026 interns, Yelyzaveta Liza , summed up the experience: This internship was a crucial step in my professional growth – I gained hands-on experience in analysing legal frameworks, identifying corruption risks and designing training sessions, while feeling that I am contributing to Ukraine's development. Meeting leading practitioners left me reassured that one should never hesitate to speak up and share ideas, as true growth happens through open dialogue. Taking first career steps in anti-corruption The programme gives university students and young professionals a structured, hands-on entry point into anti-corruption work, placing them for four to six months with either TI Ukraine or the Basel Institute’s Kyiv-based team under close mentorship. The design was a deliberate break with the past and a breath of fresh air for those who associate internships with making coffee and filing documents. Volunteers had been part of TI Ukraine for a long time – around 10 to 12 a year, usually working remotely on routine tasks. After the full-scale invasion in 2022, the organisation rebuilt the internship experience from scratch. The new paid internship programme has a single annual intake that forms a cohort, an office-first hybrid format, dedicated time for training and onboarding, and placements across several departments. Demand has climbed steadily. The 2024 pilot drew 57 applications, the 2025 edition 156 and the 2026 edition more than 250 – for just 16 places. For a generation whose education and early working life were shaped by COVID lockdowns, the war and near-permanent remote study and work, these internships offer a crucial route to practical and meaningful experience in the anti-corruption field. Sofia, an intern in TI Ukraine’s grant department, said: What I valued most is that you really get to meet other people and dive into a completely different context. It’s something you’ll never get from books or articles. Svitlana Lutsiuk, Senior Specialist, Corruption Prevention in the Basel Institute’s team in Kyiv, explained what she learned from mentoring Liza, whose internship focused on legal analysis: My key takeaway is that clear tasks, real ownership and honest feedback are all it takes. Liza showed just how fast talent unfolds when you trust an intern with work that truly matters. A study visit to Liechtenstein and Basel The 2026 edition closed with a study visit to Liechtenstein and Switzerland. The guiding questions were: what works in these countries to tackle corruption, and how can those lessons be adapted to Ukraine’s context? Six interns took part: students and recent graduates of various Ukrainian universities with backgrounds in law, international relations, public policy, sociology, public history, social work and art history. In Liechtenstein, the interns explored the country’s political system and participatory democracy, how courts, police and government bodies tackle corruption cases, and the tools used against money laundering. They met Deputy Prime Minister Sabine Monauni and spent a day with representatives of the banking sector, discussing compliance, anti-money laundering and fraud prevention. In Switzerland, they met the team at the Basel Institute’s headquarters and learned about its wider work – from business integrity and to tackling green corruption, to research that drives behaviour change and why it is important to “follow the money” and recover illicit assets. They also dove into the practicalities of running an anti-corruption organisation. Maksym, an intern in TI Ukraine’s legal department, put it frankly: “One thought I’m taking back to Ukraine is the realisation that Ukraine isn’t alone in facing corruption. A committed and professional cohort Despite the difficult circumstances – starting a career in anti-corruption while their country is under attack – the interns impressed mentors and study visit partners alike with their commitment and professionalism. The interns were equally positive about their internship experience. They highlighted the meaningful rather than mechanical tasks, concrete professional growth opportunities and gains in confidence and resilience. In a short video shared on social media, the interns summarised what they found most valuable and memorable. Anastasia, an intern in TI Ukraine’s communications department, emphasised the value of gaining: …soft skills and experience creating content at important events. Capacity that outlasts the internship The impact of the internship programme extends far beyond the placement itself. In the first three years, 42 interns have completed the revamped internship programme. Several have received job offers from TI Ukraine or the Basel Institute, while other alumni have found jobs at Ukrainian anti-corruption and law enforcement institutions such as the High Anti-Corruption Court, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, the Economic Security Bureau and the Prosecutor’s Office. This is what sustainable local capacity looks like in practice. Students and recent graduates gain their first real professional experience in the field, Ukrainian institutions recruit people who already know the terrain, and the wider anti-corruption community gains young professionals who have seen integrity applied as a working principle. For the future of anti-corruption work in Ukraine and beyond, that is a real cause for optimism. Learn more - More on the internship programme. - TI Ukraine news about the 2026 study visit to Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

Basel-Stadt backs international anti-corruption programme with CHF 3.4 million grant

The Canton of Basel-Stadt has approved a CHF 3.4 million grant to the Basel Institute on Governance for 2026–2029. The project, “From Risk to Resilience”, focuses on developing context-sensitive solutions to address systemic corruption and advance inclusive development. Working with local partners in countries across four continents, we will apply behavioural science tools to strengthen anti-corruption programmes and co-create pilot interventions for complex governance challenges. We will build evidence of what works, share lessons and help institutions put effective approaches into practice to support lasting development gains. The contribution is part of the Canton’s first round of multi-year programme funding under its new Act on International Cooperation for Poverty Reduction and the Strengthening of Sustainable Development GIZA , and aligns with the priorities set out in Basel-Stadt’s International Cooperation Strategy 2026–2029. Why behaviour matters in the fight against corruption Corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to sustainable development and poverty reduction. It deters investment, deepens inequality and diverts scarce public resources away from essential services. Anti-corruption laws and standards have expanded over the past decades, but their implementation in practice is still a work in progress. And even when countries see improvements in their governance, they continue to be challenged by limited resources, weak enforcement and growing geopolitical pressures. Closing this gap between laws and their implementation demands practical solutions that work in real-world political, social and cultural contexts. Locally owned solutions that can be adapted and scaled The Basel Institute has long experience working with people and institutions at the front lines of tackling corruption in their contexts. Together, we help to identify and promote solutions that address corruption as a systemic barrier to equitable growth and inclusive governance. We see first-hand how communities benefit through improved access to public services, expanded economic opportunity, reduced inequality and stronger rule of law. The Basel Institute’s approach combines practical experience with research on behaviour and social norms to develop interventions that can work in specific contexts. With the support of the new grant, we will be able to further apply this approach to: - strengthen the impact and sustainability of anti-corruption programmes; - co-create promising interventions with local partners; - build and share evidence of what works; and - help other countries and institutions put proven approaches into practice. Our Prevention, Research and Innovation team will lead the multi-disciplinary programme, collaborating with other specialist teams across the Institute and our global network. Special thanks for the support from our home Canton Peter Maurer, President of the Board of the Basel Institute on Governance, said: This grant from Basel-Stadt is welcome not only for the good work it will fund, but most importantly for what it represents – a spark of hope in the face of geopolitical fragmentation and shrinking budgets for development assistance. It's a recognition that the people of Basel and their elected representatives are clear-sighted about the need to tackle corruption in order to solve problems of poverty, sustainability and health, and that they care about these global goods. Elizabeth Andersen, Executive Director of the Basel Institute on Governance, said: Tackling corruption translates into better development outcomes – improved education, health, environmental protection and economic opportunity. This contribution from Basel-Stadt recognises the value of testing anti-corruption interventions, developing evidence of what works, and replicating and scaling those proven solutions elsewhere. We are sincerely grateful to Basel-Stadt for investing in this mission. The grant marks a significant investment by Basel-Stadt in applied anti-corruption research and practice. It will enable us to deepen our collaboration with partners around the world, strengthen the evidence base for behavioural approaches and share lessons that can inform anti-corruption efforts beyond individual programmes and countries. Learn more - Basel-Stadt announces the 2026–2029 programme funding

Registration open: 6th International Collective Action Conference

The only international anti-corruption Collective Action Conference is back Are you working on corruption prevention in the private sector, government, civil society or academia? Then join us for the sixth edition of this biannual landmark event on 9–10 June in Basel, Switzerland. Over one and a half days of expert sessions, fireside chats and networking, we’ll bring together practitioners from around the world to build and strengthen communities of practice in Collective Action. This edition will focus on concrete measures to make markets fairer and more transparent – with a strong hands-on approach: What does Collective Action look like in practice, and what makes it work? How can a multi-stakeholder approach help organisations respond more effectively to global business challenges? The 6th International Collective Action Conference is supported by the Siemens Integrity Initiative. Participation is free of charge, but places are limited and subject to approval. Learn more on the official event page on the B20 Collective Action Hub and submit your registration request here. Sponsorship opportunities We are seeking a limited number of sponsors to support the conference and help advance practical, multi-stakeholder approaches to business integrity and anti-corruption. See more information on sponsorship options and benefits and don't hesitate to get in touch.

Switzerland to return USD 8.5 million to Peru in precedent-setting case of non-conviction based forfeiture

It has taken nearly 20 years, but a decision by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court has cleared the way for the return of around USD 8.5 million in corruptly obtained assets to Peru. The money to be returned is part of a complex of cases linked to Vladimiro Montesinos, Head of Intelligence under former President Alberto Fujimori. It is a highly symbolic case for both Switzerland and Peru and sets an important precedent for the use of non-conviction based forfeiture laws to recover illicit assets. Such laws enable the confiscation of these assets without a criminal conviction of the defendant. The case shows two things: First, that non-conviction based forfeiture is an innovative and promising tool in the fight against corruption. It makes it possible to get at the “untouchables”, or at least the money they have stolen, even when the criminal justice system fails to convict a person for whatever reason. Peru’s successful application of this legal tool has already inspired other asset recovery practitioners far beyond Peru or even Latin America. Second, that it shows the merits of states in this case Switzerland being open to novel asset recovery mechanisms so as to be able to offer help in the context of international judicial cooperation. Other large financial centres can take note. As we regularly promote in policy forums and among our partner governments, all states should live up to their international commitments to provide the widest possible measure of international cooperation in asset recovery. The Basel Institute has been supporting the Peruvian authorities since 2012 in emblematic asset recovery cases through capacity building and hands-on mentoring. We congratulate the authorities in both Peru and Switzerland, and thank the core donors of our International Centre for Asset Recovery ICAR and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs for supporting our technical assistance in the country. Multiple appeals from a man who fled prosecution Despite the relatively small amount of money – at least compared to the amount stolen through corruption – it was a challenging case, says Oscar Solórzano, who leads the Basel Institute’s asset recovery efforts in Latin America. Peruvian prosecutors working with Solórzano were able to prove in court that the USD 8.5 million derived from corrupt contracts for the purchase of overvalued fighter jets from Belarus during Peru’s Fujimori government. The beneficial owner of the bank account was German-Israeli businessman Moshe Rothschild Chassin, an accomplice of Montesinos. He fled to Israel to evade prosecution and, despite being subject to an Interpol red notice, remains free. In 2021, after Peru’s Courts issued the confiscation order, the judicial authorities sent a mutual legal assistance request to the Swiss authorities to execute the confiscation order and return the money. Oscar Solórzano explained that Moshe challenged the confiscation order at all three appeals stages in Switzerland: in the Attorney General’s Office in Zurich, in the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona and in the Federal Supreme Court in Lausanne. The Swiss judges agreed first with their Peruvian counterparts that, through a detailed financial investigation, Peru had successfully proven that the bank account in Zurich constituted proceeds of crime. Second, they rejected the appeals, noting that the non-conviction based forfeiture procedure in Peru had been conducted in accordance with all applicable standards and legal rights. Untapped potential of non-conviction based forfeiture laws The Peruvian confiscation order was based on its Extinción de dominio law, a form of non-conviction based forfeiture law that is quite prevalent across Latin America. Sometimes known as civil forfeiture, this type of law enables the confiscation of assets linked to corruption or other crimes even if the perpetrator cannot be prosecuted. This was the case for Moshe. As an accomplice rather than a public servant, Moshe can never be prosecuted on criminal charges of collusion and bribery. He will also not be extradited from Israel. As a result, Peruvian Judge Eduardo Torres said: The autonomy of the Extinción de dominio procedure from the criminal process was key to its use in this case. The standard of proof in non-conviction based forfeiture laws is civil balance of probabilities rather than criminal beyond reasonable doubt . Various judicial mechanisms are in place to ensure that the person’s rights are fully respected throughout the process. Its Extinción de dominio law is one reason why Peru has become a positive role model in the region in terms of asset recovery. At a recent convention of judges organised by the Basel Institute’s team in Lima, the Head of Peru’s Judiciary Javier Arévalo Vela highlighted that the law had already enabled the recovery of around USD 64 million in illicit assets, with many more cases in the pipeline. Judge Torres added: The case is also important for the Peruvian justice system as a whole. The fact that money misappropriated from the Peruvian treasury will be returned shows we are in compliance with international treaties. And we are sending a message to the corrupt: if you misuse the public administration and steal Peruvian money, ultimately you will not profit from it. International cooperation Another boost to Peru’s asset recovery efforts has been improved international cooperation with financial centres such as Switzerland. International cooperation is a constant challenge for countries seeking to recover corrupt assets, as Specialised Prosecutor Hamilton Castro explained in this interview, and is a core element of ICAR’s technical assistance in Peru and other partner countries. In too many cases, states harbouring illicit assets will not cooperate on cases where they do not have an equivalent asset recovery mechanism. Though Switzerland does not have a comparable autonomous non-conviction based forfeiture law, it has shown willingness to evaluate Peru’s law according to its own legal principles and offer assistance where possible. Judge Torres said: International cooperation was a decisive factor in both achieving the confiscation order and executing it. The Swiss decision paves the way for other countries to carry out similar procedures, following Peru's example and maintaining the rights of the affected party throughout the process. What’s next? The funds will be transferred to Peru and used in a manner to be agreed upon between the two concerned jurisdictions. Over USD 25 million confiscated by Peru previously in this complex of cases were returned under a trilateral agreement in 2020 between Switzerland, Luxembourg and Peru that foresees the use of funds to strengthen the country’s law enforcement and judicial systems. Asked what we can take forward from this and related cases, Oscar Solórzano says: Not only have Peru’s judicial authorities gained knowledge and confidence in applying this law and having confiscation orders executed internationally. We also see prosecutors and judges in other Latin American countries empowered by the positive example set by Switzerland and Peru. At the Basel Institute, we promote asset recovery mechanisms globally that are effective, but also proportionate and respectful of human rights. We believe these are the ingredients to make these laws truly global legal tools in the fight against corruption and other forms of crime. Judge Torres expressed his hope that: ...we will continue to recover large amounts of money in transnational cases, with the collaboration of all entities involved in the recovery process and in particular with the collaboration of the Basel Institute on Governance. For example, Oscar Solórzano's assistance in tracing the money through various transactions to its final destination was key to unlocking the case in the first place. Read more Learn more about the work of our International Centre for Asset Recovery and our Programa GFP Subnacional, which together undertake our asset recovery assistance in Peru. ICAR is funded by core contributions from the Government of Jersey, Principality of Liechtenstein, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation Norad , Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC , UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office FCDO and UK Home Office. Our Programa GFP Subnacional is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. See our asset recovery case study series.

Vacancy: Senior HR Specialist (team lead) 60 – 80%

Our HQ office is looking for a motivated, internationally-minded Senior HR Specialist to lead our HR function. This includes to oversee, quality control and directly execute a variety of personnel and related administrative and managerial duties. In addition, s/he leads on and is responsible for special HR cases and projects. The Senior HR Specialist works closely with and manages the HR Specialist and reports to the Head of Operations. See the full job description and please apply by 4 September 2022.

9th Basel Arbitration & Crime Conference

The 9th annual edition of the Basel Arbitration & Crime Conference will will bring together leading arbitrators, judges, prosecutors and related professionals to examine the evolving relationship between arbitration and state justice. Discussions will focus on jurisdiction, substantive law, evidence and enforcement – covering economic crime as a threshold issue in arbitration, the ICC's work on rules of evidence, the interplay between state criminal proceedings and investment and commercial arbitration, and the impact of sanctions law on arbitration and award. The conference is organised by the Competence Centre Arbitration and Crime led by Professor Mark Pieth and Dr Kathrin Betz, with the support of the Basel Institute on Governance, the International Academy of Financial Crime Litigators, the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law and the University of Basel's Faculty of Law. The organisers are grateful to this year's sponsors: BDO, Prism Discovery, Peters & Peters, Enyo Law and Bär & Karrer. This is an in-person conference only for relevant professionals. Spaces are limited: please apply as early as possible or by 21 December 2026 at the latest. Application does not guarantee acceptance. Registered participants are invited to join a pre-conference dinner on 7 January 2026.

Anti-Corruption Café: A Swiss-Moldovan exchange on youth, technology and anti-corruption

Bringing together students, practitioners and experts – including a delegation of youth anti-corruption volunteers from the National Anticorruption Center of Moldova – the event will explore how technology can strengthen transparency and accountability, and how young people can act as agents of change. The event is an initiative of the OSCE and Basel Institute on Governance, on the sidelines of the 6th International Collective Action Conference in Basel on 9–10 June. It is open to everyone and can be attended either in person or online. We particularly encourage students from the University of Basel to join us in person for the opportunity to engage directly with speakers and participants in an informal and interactive setting. Agenda 13:30–14:15: Welcome The University of Basel as a democratic space – Til Hänggi, Chair, skuba Student Union of the University of Basel Introduction to the Anti-Corruption Volunteers Programme, National Anticorruption Center, Republic of Moldova 14:15–15:00: Technology and transparency Presentation: Digital dependencies and state capture: sovereignty, democracy and accountability in the digital age by Dorotea Avedisian, MLaw, PhD candidate, Faculty of Law, University of Basel; Co-Head Basel, foraus – Swiss Forum on Foreign Policy Discussion: Moderated discussion led by Erlin Agich, Associate Anti-Corruption Officer, OSCE 15:00–16:00: Young people as agents of change Discussion on promoting integrity in the education sector led by Eva Moldovanyi, Programme Manager, Fondation Botnar Details Date: 8 June 2026 Time: 13:30–16:00 CEST Location: Seminar Room 103, Kollegienhaus, Petersplatz 1, 4051 Basel Format: Hybrid in person and online

7th Basel Arbitration and Crime Conference

This 7th annual gathering of leading arbitrators, lawyers, forensics and academics at the University of Basel will advance discussions on how the arbitration community can better address allegations of corruption or money laundering in relation to underlying disputes. This will be a practical conference, focused on a draft update of the 2019 Toolkit for Arbitrators: Corruption and Money Laundering in International Arbitration that will be circulated to participants in advance. The conference is organised by the Arbitration and Crime Competence Centre led by Professor Mark Pieth and Dr Kathrin Betz, with the support of the Basel Institute on Governance, the International Academy of Financial Crime Litigators and the Swiss Institute of Comparative Law. This is an in-person conference only. Registered participants are invited to a pre-conference dinner on 9 January. Spaces are limited: please register as early as possible or by 23 December 2024 at the latest.

Working Paper 59: Using corrupt proceeds to fight corruption: Rethinking how Switzerland uses illicit profits from foreign bribery

Policy Brief 15: Rethinking how Switzerland uses illicit profits from foreign bribery settlements

A Swiss–Peruvian asset recovery case boosts prospects for non-conviction based forfeiture (The Academy Bulletin)

Case Study 10: Using full legal means to confiscate illicit assets in a time of war

Case Study 5: The Nun – Confiscating assets of the Shining Path terrorist organisation / Estudio de caso: La monja – Decomisando los activos de la organización terrorista Sendero Luminoso