| Basel Institute on Governance

Keeping Europe safe means keeping up with corruption and financial crime threats

Read more about Keeping Europe safe means keeping up with corruption and financial crime threats

Two recent EU publications underscore the central role of corruption and money laundering in enabling organised crime and threatening security – and how essential it is to invest more in efforts to investigate, seize and confiscate criminal assets.

Europol’s 2025 Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA) painted a sobering picture of how organised crime is “evolving at an unprecedented pace”, with corruption and money laundering as key enablers.

High-level Corruption: an Analysis of Schemes, Costs and of Policy Recommendations

Read more about High-level Corruption: an Analysis of Schemes, Costs and of Policy Recommendations

Corruption affects communities worldwide. It undermines civil, political and economic rights, erodes trust in institutions and impedes economic progress. A new Policy Brief by the FALCON (Fight Against Large-scale Corruption and Organised Crime Networks) project unveils new insights in the fight against high-level corruption.

Quick Guide 40: Financial investigations in a cash economy

Read more about Quick Guide 40: Financial investigations in a cash economy

Despite the increasing use of digital payment methods, cash is still king in many economies – including criminal economies. It remains the most-used payment option across Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, and accounted for over USD 7.6 trillion in consumer expenditures throughout 2022.

That’s a challenge when investigating financial crimes. How can you “follow the money” without records of bank transfers, debit or credit card payments, or digital wallet transactions?

Certificate of Advanced Studies: Countering Financial Crime Through Asset Recovery

Read more about Certificate of Advanced Studies: Countering Financial Crime Through Asset Recovery

This unique programme will give you a solid understanding of "following the money" and asset recovery as a tool to tackle financial crime.

Aid cuts make asset recovery even more crucial

Read more about Aid cuts make asset recovery even more crucial

State parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption are already obligated to identify, confiscate and return proceeds of corruption and money laundering that have entered their financial systems. As this often includes money stolen from states receiving development aid, maximising efforts to fulfil this obligation could offset some of the worst effects of recent aid cuts.

Partnerships for Anticorruption Global Forum 2025

Read more about Partnerships for Anticorruption Global Forum 2025

Dissecting the environmental-financial crime nexus: delving into a case from the Canadian Financial Intelligence Unit

Read more about Dissecting the environmental-financial crime nexus: delving into a case from the Canadian Financial Intelligence Unit

At the next Follow-the-Money Working Group meeting, Patrick Moreau from Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) will present a compelling case study highlighting the international scope of an illegal wildlife trade investigation and the critical role of financial intelligence in uncovering illicit activities.

Staying the course: business integrity in a fragmented political climate

Read more about Staying the course: business integrity in a fragmented political climate

“Strong and productive partnerships across diverse sectors were everywhere in evidence at the OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum. Such solidarity and collaboration are critically important, particularly in the face of the headwinds confronting the anti-corruption movement today."
– Elizabeth Andersen, Executive Director, Basel Institute on Governance

Basel Institute newsletter - February 2025

Read more about Basel Institute newsletter - February 2025

The newsletter covers highlights at the Basel Institute in February 2025. It also features our latest news, blogs and other publications.

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Basel Institute newsletter - January 2025

Read more about Basel Institute newsletter - January 2025

The newsletter covers highlights at the Basel Institute from December 2024 to January 2025. It also features our latest news, blogs and other publications. We take this chance to welcome four new staff members to the team.

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