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.