[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":378},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-peru-decentralisation-debate":3,"author-links-news-peru-decentralisation-debate":90,"news-peru-decentralisation-debate-body-assets":91,"news-peru-decentralisation-debate-similar":92,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":373},[4],{"id":5,"status":6,"date_created":7,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"date":12,"topic":13,"slug":14,"activity":13,"nid":13,"topics":15,"activities":13,"programme":13,"area":13,"websites":17,"language":19,"image":20,"translation_of":13,"countries":34,"tags":56,"authors":85,"images":86,"translations":87,"content":88,"translations_news":89},10650,"published","2026-08-24T09:19:10.000Z","2026-08-24T15:45:23.000Z","Bringing local voices into Peru’s decentralisation debate","News","How can a country ensure that national policies, budgets and administrative systems respond to realities on the ground – often in local communities and territories far beyond the capital?\n\nThis question is at the centre of a series of regional policy dialogues taking Peru’s decentralisation debate beyond Lima. \n\nHeld under the banner “The State in the Territory: New Pathways for Decentralisation” (*El Estado en el Territorio: nuevas rutas para la descentralización*), the dialogues bring regional and local perspectives into the development of national policy proposals for improving decentralised government.\n\nThe Basel Institute’s [Subnational Public Financial Management Programme](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fwork\u002Fprogrammes\u002Fpublic-finance-management\u002F) ([Programa GFP Subnacional](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F)) – funded by the Swiss Economic Cooperation since 2015 – is leading the initiative with additional support from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. We are happy to partner with three leading Peruvian academic and research institutions: the Institute of Peruvian Studies, Grupo Propuesta Ciudadana (GPC) and Universidad del Pacífico.\n\nThe first dialogue took place in the city of Piura in northwestern Peru. Public officials, specialists, academics and civil society representatives held technical discussions on multilevel governance and the coordination of the state’s administrative systems.\n\n## Why decentralisation needs local voices\n\nDecentralisation can bring decision-making closer to people and make public services and investment more responsive to local needs. But transferring responsibilities is not enough. Regional and local governments also need adequate resources, institutional capacity and administrative systems that work across different levels of the state.\n\nThis is a challenge in many countries. National policies and systems need to provide consistency, while leaving enough room to respond to different regional circumstances. Without that balance, decentralisation can result in fragmented policies and spending rather than more effective government.\n\nListening to people who work with these systems on the ground is therefore essential. Their experience can reveal where national policies support local delivery, where they create obstacles and what could work better.\n\n## Understanding *territorios* \n\nThe word *territorio* reflects this approach. In Spanish, it means more than a geographical area. It describes the ties between people, institutions and the places in which they live. \n\nIt also carries political and social meaning. Local identities, inequalities and economic and environmental conditions all affect how people experience the state.\n\nIn the debate about decentralisation, *territorio* therefore highlights a desire to gain a ground-up understanding of people’s realities in order to inform state reforms.\n\n## Concrete outcomes from the Piura dialogue\n\nPiura offers an especially relevant setting for the first regional dialogue. Its major infrastructure needs and its experience of climate-related shocks, reconstruction and disaster risk management illustrate the limits of fragmented public action. \n\nThey also underline the need for stronger coordination across sectors and levels of government.\n\nThe discussion centred on a policy paper draft by [Carlos Vargas](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fabout\u002Fteam\u002Fcarlos-vargas\u002F), Director of the Basel Institute’s Subnational PFM Programme. It highlighted the need to strengthen coordination across planning, budgeting, public investment, procurement and implementation.\n\nParticipants also stressed that decentralisation reform should go beyond the transfer of responsibilities across levels of government. A key priority is to ensure that the State’s administrative systems work together more effectively at the local level. This would enable public institutions to respond in a more coordinated and coherent way to local needs and priorities. As Carlos Vargas said: \n\n> Piura shows that decentralisation is not only about transferring functions, it is about connecting systems, resources and capacities so that public action responds to local priorities and citizens’ needs.\n\n## How regional experience will inform national policy\n\nThe contributions from Piura and other regional dialogues in Arequipa, Cusco, Loreto and Lambayeque will inform a revised version of the policy paper and a wider set of recommendations for Peru’s national policy debate. \n\nEach dialogue will examine a different aspect of the relationship between decentralisation, public management and territorial development.\n\nIf decentralisation is to work for people across Peru, regional and local experience must help shape it.\n","2026-08-24",null,"peru-decentralisation-debate",[16],"Public Finance Management",[18],"Main page","English",{"id":21,"storage":22,"filename_disk":23,"filename_download":24,"title":25,"type":26,"created_on":27,"modified_on":8,"charset":13,"filesize":28,"width":29,"height":30,"duration":13,"embed":13,"description":31,"location":13,"tags":13,"metadata":32,"focal_point_x":13,"focal_point_y":13,"tus_id":13,"tus_data":13,"uploaded_on":33},"6a8cb1ad-6aa6-48ef-9e24-4e4c0dbc7306","local","6a8cb1ad-6aa6-48ef-9e24-4e4c0dbc7306.jpg","Piura - Alexander Rugel.jpg","Piura   Alexander Rugel","image\u002Fjpeg","2026-08-24T13:45:12.000Z",783053,2000,1200,"Photo: Alexander Rugel",{},"2026-08-24T13:45:13.000Z",[35],{"id":36,"news_id":37,"countries_id":50},7824,{"id":5,"status":6,"user_created":38,"date_created":7,"user_updated":38,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"image":21,"date":12,"topic":13,"slug":14,"activity":13,"nid":13,"topics":39,"activities":13,"programme":13,"area":13,"websites":40,"translation_of":13,"language":19,"countries":41,"tags":42,"authors":45,"images":46,"translations":47,"content":48,"translations_news":49},"115250da-6c1d-42e7-888a-fbbe909fc524",[16],[18],[36],[43,44],6086,6087,[],[],[],[],[],{"id":51,"name":52,"code":53,"latitude":54,"longitude":55},171,"Peru","PE",-9.18997,-75.01515,[57,71],{"id":43,"news_id":58,"tags_id":68},{"id":5,"status":6,"user_created":38,"date_created":7,"user_updated":38,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"image":21,"date":12,"topic":13,"slug":14,"activity":13,"nid":13,"topics":59,"activities":13,"programme":13,"area":13,"websites":60,"translation_of":13,"language":19,"countries":61,"tags":62,"authors":63,"images":64,"translations":65,"content":66,"translations_news":67},[16],[18],[36],[43,44],[],[],[],[],[],{"id":69,"name":70},1371,"Public governance",{"id":44,"news_id":72,"tags_id":82},{"id":5,"status":6,"user_created":38,"date_created":7,"user_updated":38,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"image":21,"date":12,"topic":13,"slug":14,"activity":13,"nid":13,"topics":73,"activities":13,"programme":13,"area":13,"websites":74,"translation_of":13,"language":19,"countries":75,"tags":76,"authors":77,"images":78,"translations":79,"content":80,"translations_news":81},[16],[18],[36],[43,44],[],[],[],[],[],{"id":83,"name":84},1378,"Public financial management",[],[],[],[],[],{},[],[93,131,177,219,245,272,301,326,349],{"id":94,"body":95,"status":6,"type":96,"date":97,"slug":98,"title":99,"image":100,"countries":101,"topic":13,"activity":13,"tags":103,"nid":13,"topics":116,"activities":13,"authors":117,"images":119,"websites":120,"area":13,"programme":13,"language":19,"translations":121,"translation_of":13,"user_created":123,"date_created":124,"user_updated":125,"date_updated":126,"content":127,"translations_news":128,"link":130},10638,"*How public money is managed at the local level has a direct impact on people's lives – from whether children get their school books to the conservation of local environments on which many communities depend for their health and livelihoods.*\n\n*For more than a decade, the Basel Institute on Governance and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) have partnered with regional and municipal governments across Peru to strengthen public financial management and improve public service delivery.*\n\n*Through the [Programa GFP Subnacional](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F), a dedicated team combines practical technical assistance with innovative approaches, including data analytics, digital tools and behavioural interventions. Together, these help governments make better decisions, use resources more effectively and communicate better with the people they serve.*\n\n*In this Q&A, Programme Director Carlos Vargas explains how Programa GFP Subnacional – the Subnational Public Finance Management (PFM) programme – works, what it has achieved and why its lessons matter beyond Peru.*\n\n## How does the programme help governments deliver better services?\nBroadly speaking, the programme aims to enhance processes for public service delivery and improve the capacity of subnational governments to use public resources responsibly.\n\nIn practice, this means really hands-on assistance with things like tax management or budget planning that both covers the required resources (e.g. teaching materials) and considers what’s needed to deliver a service (e.g. enough vehicles to distribute the materials to schools).\n\nThis in turn ensures that citizens receive public services in the quantity and quality they need and projects are completed within budget and on time.\n\nIn other words, the programme aims to make a real difference in people's lives – particularly in areas like education, health, biodiversity conservation and the fight against climate change.\n\nOur advisors work hand-in-hand with local officials, providing technical assistance, training and support with technology in line with national priorities and systems.\n\n## What difference has the programme made in terms of revenue generation?\nThe results have been significant.\n\nOne of the clearest examples comes from Tarapoto in the San Martín region. Through automated WhatsApp reminders, streamlined processes and a new online payment system, the municipality increased property tax collection. The additional revenue helped fund a bridge that now provides around 800 pupils with safe, direct access to their school.\n\nIn the Municipality of Piura, we helped automate tax collection processes using algorithms and artificial intelligence to better understand taxpayer behaviour.\n\nThis allowed us to group taxpayers into categories and design tailored communication strategies for each, which helped increase property tax revenue – funds governments need to invest in public services.\n\n## How about in education or conservation?\nIn education, we have assisted regions to ensure that around 95 percent of school materials now arrive on time before the start of the school year. The programme has also contributed to the timely delivery of vaccines and medicines.\n\nOn biodiversity conservation, we have supported three regional governments in Peru to establish a baseline for deforestation, drawing on 24 years' worth of data to identify zones that are particularly vulnerable to deforestation and other illegal activities.\n\nBased on this, we have developed an early warning system that enables regional governments to act more quickly and direct their limited resources towards the most critical areas rather than trying to cover vast territories.\n\n## Why are regional and municipal governments so important?\nIn Peru, public spending is highly decentralised – around 35 to 45 percent of the budget is allocated to regional governments and municipalities.\n\nThese are the entities closest to citizens. If this final link in the chain does not work well, citizens will not receive the services they need.\n\n## How does better public finance management reduce corruption risks?\nBy improving the efficiency and transparency of processes within public bodies, we limit discretionary power and reduce opportunities for corruption.\n\nThe programme has generated concrete evidence of this. The regional government of Loreto – Peru’s largest region – for example, rose from 18th to 4th place in the national ranking of corruption prevention capacity after becoming a programme beneficiary.\n\nThis kind of progress matters, because corruption ultimately undermines the delivery of public services and the responsible use of public resources.\n\n## What can other countries learn from Peru's experience?\nWe see the Programa GFP Subnacional as a laboratory for public finance innovation. Over more than a decade, it has generated proven tools and approaches that improve efficiency, reduce losses and help ensure the quality of public services.\n\nThis body of evidence – tested and refined over time – represents a form of global learning.\n\nThe lessons and best practices the programme generated can be shared not only across Peru but also with other countries, where they can be adapted to local needs.\n\nIn this sense, the Swiss government's investment in the programme goes beyond impact in a specific region: it is an investment in generating knowledge and innovations that can inform public financial management reforms and help improve public services and the lives of citizens elsewhere.\n","Blog","2026-07-08","interview-how-better-public-finance-management-improves-lives","From budgets to bridges: how better public finance management improves lives in Peru and beyond","https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcms\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F22d93982-9aff-4a6d-a204-9b9a63aa8e6f?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=90",[102],7821,[104,106,110,112],{"tags_id":105},{"id":69,"name":70},{"tags_id":107},{"id":108,"name":109},1377,"Technology",{"tags_id":111},{"id":83,"name":84},{"tags_id":113},{"id":114,"name":115},1373,"Corruption prevention",[16],[118],1385,[],[18],[122],10639,"d22c72aa-896a-43ce-acca-4154ff70a25a","2026-06-22T15:13:42.000Z","545a204d-e41b-4882-afda-481ecf3fd971","2026-07-10T07:01:29.000Z",[],[129],4,"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Finterview-how-better-public-finance-management-improves-lives",{"id":132,"body":133,"status":6,"type":96,"date":134,"slug":135,"title":136,"image":137,"countries":138,"topic":140,"activity":141,"tags":145,"nid":161,"topics":162,"activities":164,"authors":165,"images":167,"websites":13,"area":13,"programme":13,"language":19,"translations":168,"translation_of":13,"user_created":169,"date_created":170,"user_updated":171,"date_updated":172,"content":173,"translations_news":174,"link":176},10596,"_Our colleague Límberg Chero has played an important role in establishing the Basel Institute’s strong presence in Peru. From the early years – even before a formal office existed in Lima – to his current work with the [Subnational Public Finance Management Programme](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublic-finance-peru) ([Programa GFP Subnacional](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F)), his journey reflects a great passion for fighting corruption. It began far from the capital, in an ancient town in northern Peru, and was strengthened through rigorous academic training and years of public service._\n\n_This article is part of a series on careers in fighting financial crime and opportunities to learn and study with the Basel Institute._\n\n## The take-off in Peru\n\nMy journey at the Basel Institute on Governance began even before the Lima office existed.\n\nIn 2014, together with colleagues from the Basel Institute – including our dearly missed Managing Director of two decades, Gretta Fenner, and my colleague Óscar Solórzano – we launched a public finance management project funded by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO).\n\nAlthough centred on macroeconomics and fiscal policy, its essential goal was to make the public budget tangible and meaningful for citizens.\n\nTo do this, we moved beyond traditional approaches and integrated innovative tools, like the use of behavioural science to prevent corruption and foster integrity in the management of public finances. This comprehensive perspective – a novelty in Peru at the time – was key to the project proposal’s success.\n\nSince then, the Subnational Public Finance Management Programme for regional and municipal governments in Peru has retained SECO’s trust for more than 10 years.\n\nThe secret behind this success lies not only in improved processes and fiscal discipline, but in the continuous work with people committed to change. Internally, the Basel Institute’s team is multidisciplinary, open to change and committed to bridging practice and academic insight.\n\n## Bridging differences for sustainability\n\nWorking at the Basel Institute on Governance is truly a privilege. Our Lima office has gained remarkable regional recognition thanks to a distinctive approach: practical, rigorous and focused on building strong relationships with key actors in the fight against corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing.\n\nI currently lead the Subnational PFM Programme’s Interinstitutional Coordination, ensuring the programme’s effectiveness and, above all, the sustainability of reforms at subnational levels, in alignment with national efforts.\n\nThis work requires the continuous reconciliation of the different “languages”, worldviews and objectives of people across Peru’s diverse regions.\n\nOur aim is to craft strategies and messages that resonate equally to ministries, regional governments and municipalities – aligning technical agendas with political ones, and engaging civil society and academia along the way.\n\nThis challenge becomes more manageable because of my background: I come from an ancient town in northern Peru, Monsefú. Being perceived as someone close yet trained in competitive academic and professional environments fosters trust and legitimacy.\n\n## From economics to a global mission\n\nAs a child, leaving my town felt impossible. Universities were located in other regions and the educational options available largely led to local career paths tied to a modest economy with little real opportunities. At that time, the country had not yet experienced the trade openness or business development it has today.\n\nThrough hard work and the trust of people who believed in me, however, I earned scholarships that allowed me to study in highly competitive environments in Peru’s capital, Lima, more than 1,000 kilometres away from my hometown.\n\nMy foundations were solid: I completed my undergraduate studies in economics and later specialised through the Central Bank’s Economics Programme, which admits only 30 candidates out of thousands of applicants, as well as through an internship at the World Bank in Korea.\n\nI worked as an economist at institutions such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Central Reserve Bank of Peru, the Andean Community (CAN) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).\n\nAt that time, my professional life felt complete: it combined specialised technical work with teaching and active participation in international networks. These included the Andrés Bello Agreement Network, which brought together university researchers from multiple countries to reflect on and advance regional integration in Ibero-America, as well as the Puentes Network, which focused on promoting transparency in investment by Latin American companies.\n\nBut everything changed when I fully grasped the scope of the challenges posed by global corruption. I never imagined my economics degree would only be the starting point of a much bigger journey. From that moment on, my purpose became clear: to dedicate all my experience to strengthening this fight against forces that hinder global prosperity.\n\n## Innovating with little budget\n\nIn Latin America, the Basel Institute is known for results-oriented innovation. I have witnessed firsthand how every new skill quickly finds a practical application and how we can make significant contributions without the need for additional funding.\n\nFor example, I could draw on my Master’s degrees in Process Innovation and Government Control, and in Public Management and Education (Andragogy) to enrich various initiatives we pursued, such as:\n\n*   supporting regional governments in implementing structural reforms in significantly shorter timeframes;\n*   strengthening Peru’s [Public Finance Management Experts Network](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fswiss-support-public-finance-management-experts-network-peru), which was recognised during [Peru’s National Innovation Week](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fperus-innovation-week-showcases-training-concept-our-public-finance-management-team);\n*   and reducing dropout rates and increasing course completion in our Internal Control and Integrity courses through, among other things, the introduction of “virtual coffee breaks”.\n\nDuring the pandemic, we leveraged my background in education to [enhance our online learning and training approach and results](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-design-virtual-training-course-works-your-context-experiences-peru). For example, we started to deliver courses and training across the country via Facebook, a platform that at the time did not charge for mobile data usage and allowed public officials to participate even using low-end mobile phones. These courses have since been integrated into [Basel LEARN](https:\u002F\u002Flearn.baselgovernance.org\u002F) – the Basel Institute’s online training and learning hub.\n\nTogether, these efforts enabled us to develop courses that reached more than 6,000 participants in five years – all without additional funding.\n\n## It’s all about people\n\nMy work has focused on ensuring the sustainability of tangible improvements to public finance management that the PFM Programme’s experts helped implement in areas as varied as:\n\n*   distribution of vaccines and educational materials for children;\n*   property tax collection in major cities;\n*   restitution of confiscated funds;\n*   and the fight against “green corruption”.\n\nIn this context, the most valuable asset is our network. I have more than 20,000 contacts on my business phone – all professionals who directly or indirectly contribute to the Programme’s goals, and above all, friends committed to building a better Peru.\n\nThis network generates mutual benefits: it enables the rapid dissemination of good practices, drastically reduces event preparation costs (we secure many venues at zero cost) and ensures massive impact.\n\nColleagues across the Basel Institute are a vital part of this network. Our close collaboration has led me to take part in a wide range of diverse and fascinating projects – from serving as a director and writer for several programme-produced videos, to moderating international events on asset recovery, and exchanging methodologies used in public finance management that can be applied to asset recovery and repatriation.\n\n## The foundation that inspires and sustains hope\n\nThe Peruvian context presents unique challenges. There is high political volatility, evidenced by the fact that there have been eight presidents in the past 10 years despite only two presidential elections in that period. This means that “VUCA” (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) and the notion of “chaos” are part of daily life.\n\nYet, beneath this instability lies a “subsoil” of ethically committed public officials and technical professionals who allow progress to continue. They are my daily source of inspiration.\n\nAs I often say: There are more good people than bad – they just make less noise. This reflects a reality: the visible efforts of honest Peruvians provide a stronger foundation than the corruption cases that shake us, even if public perception sometimes suggests otherwise.\n\nIn sum, I am deeply grateful for the privilege of engaging with my country and its challenges through work that strengthens public integrity and the fight against corruption. Thank you, Basel Institute – and its magnificent team around the globe – for allowing me to continue serving the world, and especially my country.\n\n## Inspired?\n\nTake a look at the learning opportunities we offer at the Basel Institute for individuals who are equally passionate about fighting corruption and financial crime:\n\n*   [Basel LEARN](https:\u002F\u002Flearn.baselgovernance.org\u002F) – our online training and learning hub with free eLearning courses and lots more\n*   [Basel STUDY](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fstudy) – our postgraduate programmes on anti-corruption and asset recovery with the University of Basel","2026-01-12","a-career-with-purpose-in-public-finance-management-limberg-chero-2905","A career with purpose in public finance management: Límberg Chero","https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcms\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F0c87b8d7-c3ce-4c9f-912f-8bde8973453d?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=90",[139],7801,[16],[142,143,144],"Training","eLearning","Insights",[146,150,154,158],{"tags_id":147},{"id":148,"name":149},982,"Anti-corruption",{"tags_id":151},{"id":152,"name":153},867,"Financial crime",{"tags_id":155},{"id":156,"name":157},1300,"Education",{"tags_id":159},{"id":160,"name":142},1372,2905,[16,163],"Learning and training",[142,143,144],[166],1366,[],[],"03bebfd8-0b40-4a2a-820d-b9d9c13b9de6","2026-01-12T11:01:44.000Z","dfef11db-1bc6-47e9-a61d-93443995484b","2026-06-24T13:41:07.000Z",[],[175],5,"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fa-career-with-purpose-in-public-finance-management-limberg-chero-2905",{"id":178,"body":179,"status":6,"type":10,"date":180,"slug":181,"title":182,"image":183,"countries":184,"topic":186,"activity":188,"tags":190,"nid":207,"topics":208,"activities":209,"authors":210,"images":211,"websites":212,"area":13,"programme":13,"language":13,"translations":213,"translation_of":13,"user_created":169,"date_created":214,"user_updated":171,"date_updated":215,"content":216,"translations_news":217,"link":218},10529,"While most of the world celebrates International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December, Peru has kickstarted a new tradition: an entire week dedicated to integrity, transparency and anti-corruption events and celebrations.\n\nThe country celebrated its first [Semana de Integridad Pública](https:\u002F\u002Fsites.google.com\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fintegridad2024) – Public Integrity Week – last December, following the passing of a law that dedicates the second week of December each year to the occasion. The aim is to reinforce the country’s commitment to transparency and ethics in public administration.\n\nOur teams were closely involved in the various events that took place across the country.\n\n## Building integrity in public finance management\n\nMembers of our Subnational Public Finance Management programme or [Programa GFP Subnacional](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F2024\u002F12\u002F10\u002Fel-programa-gfp-subnacional-participa-en-la-semana-de-integridad-publica-con-una-serie-charlas-en-trujillo-lima-moyobamba-cusco-y-tarapoto\u002F) organised and participated in 14 events in nine different regions. In total, the events involved more than 2,000 individuals in person and a similar number online.\n\nTopics included ethical leadership, policies and strategies to mitigate risks and promote transparency in public administrations, and the role of asset forfeiture in fostering integrity and reducing impunity for corruption.\n\nThe discussions and workshops underscored the commitment of the Swiss-funded programme to:\n\n*   Strengthen capacities: Provide tools and practical knowledge to identify and manage the risks that affect public integrity.\n*   Promote multi-stakeholder dialogue: Encourage collaboration between different parties, including government, the private sector and civil society, to address ethical and transparency challenges together.\n*   Inspire action: Promote a culture of integrity and accountability as the basis for inclusive and sustainable development.\n\n## Green corruption high on the agenda\n\nOur [Green Corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption) prevention team, funded by the UK's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, also participated in 18 separate events, reaching over 6,000 participants in person and more online.\n\nOur team drew attention to the fact that corruption is a key enabler of illegal trade in natural resources. Illegal logging in the Peruvian Amazon, illegal mining or wildlife trafficking pose serious threats to the country’s environment, people and economy. But these complex crimes can’t be addressed without an active focus on corruption prevention.\n\nThe prominence of this topic during Integrity Week is an important achievement. It reflects increased awareness and interest in green corruption among Peruvian authorities, specifically from the Ministries of the Environment and Agriculture, as well as the national [Secretariat for Public Integrity](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gob.pe\u002F7855-presidencia-del-consejo-de-ministros-secretaria-de-integridad-publica) that led the organisation of the events.\n\n## Learn more\n\n*   See the [press release](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F2024\u002F12\u002F10\u002Fel-programa-gfp-subnacional-participa-en-la-semana-de-integridad-publica-con-una-serie-charlas-en-trujillo-lima-moyobamba-cusco-y-tarapoto\u002F) (in Spanish).\n*   See photo highlights from [events in Loreto](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fwatch\u002F?v=1608167139761705).\n*   Watch a series of three debates about [asset recovery law and practice in Peru](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=toJ1YHmAwYw&list=PLYRnhpCcnLP9s4bZW_W390N64JDFJXJnw), released at the same time as Integrity Week.","2025-01-28","perus-integrity-week-celebrates-transparency-and-good-governance-including-for-the-environment-2752","Peru’s Integrity Week celebrates transparency and good governance, including for the environment","https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcms\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fdf5cac6e-f107-43dd-a86d-d7093dd01828?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=90",[185],7073,[187,16],"Green Corruption",[189],"Events",[191,195,197,199,203],{"tags_id":192},{"id":193,"name":194},1274,"Ethics",{"tags_id":196},{"id":69,"name":70},{"tags_id":198},{"id":83,"name":84},{"tags_id":200},{"id":201,"name":202},909,"Collective Action",{"tags_id":204},{"id":205,"name":206},1303,"Environment",2752,[187,16],[189],[],[],[18],[],"2025-01-28T17:01:48.000Z","2026-06-24T13:41:25.000Z",[],[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fperus-integrity-week-celebrates-transparency-and-good-governance-including-for-the-environment-2752",{"id":220,"body":221,"status":6,"type":10,"date":222,"slug":223,"title":224,"image":225,"countries":226,"topic":228,"activity":229,"tags":232,"nid":233,"topics":234,"activities":235,"authors":236,"images":237,"websites":238,"area":13,"programme":13,"language":13,"translations":239,"translation_of":13,"user_created":169,"date_created":240,"user_updated":171,"date_updated":241,"content":242,"translations_news":243,"link":244},10498,"We are delighted that our highly successful programme to strengthen public finance management at the regional and local levels in Peru is entering its third four-year phase.\n\nFunded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) since 2013, the [Programa GFP Subnacional](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F) aims to improve how public finances are managed and spent at the subnational level and to optimise the delivery of public services to Peruvian citizens.\n\n## Hands-on support, tangible impact\n\nOur office in Lima coordinates an ambitious programme of capacity building and technical assistance, including innovative training initiatives and mentoring by experts based in local and regional government offices.\n\nWith an additional USD 8 million in funding from 2024–2028, the programme will build on its previous achievements in strengthening capacity in relation to procurement, budgeting and risk management processes. These include:\n\n*   Increased efficiency in the programming and execution of public investments, particularly in education and healthcare infrastructure.\n*   Strengthened internal controls and financial management systems at regional and local levels.\n*   Successful implementation of property tax management reforms, significantly boosting local revenue collection.\n*   Notable progress in asset recovery through Peru’s non-conviction based forfeiture law, Extinción de dominio. Drawing on the Basel Institute’s asset recovery expertise, this effort has led to the recovery of millions of dollars in misappropriated public funds and is helping to reduce impunity for corruption.\n\nThe team has also helped to introduce innovative tools to increase efficiency and transparency in public administration – like WhatsApp chatbots for tax collection.\n\nThese [short testimonials](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fplaylist?list=PLYRnhpCcnLP_3bkP5LFPtKnbD0HV1M1vy) highlight some of the real impacts our team’s work has had for both the governments and the citizens they serve.\n\n## New biodiversity focus\n\nThe third phase of the programme will continue strengthening these areas, incorporating new strategies and adapting to changing circumstances.\n\nIt will also add a special focus on the monitoring and surveillance of regional conservation areas, including through the use of innovative technologies. This support will help subnational governments to preserve biodiversity and implement sustainable development strategies, aligning with Peru’s national environmental policies. This complements the work of the Basel Institute’s [Green Corruption programme](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fimproving-public-integrity-peru-how-regional-governments-can-take-lead) in Peru and neighbouring countries that also enjoy rich biodiversity and are home to precious rainforest.\n\nIn addition, the programme specifically seeks to facilitate the implementation of recommendations for Peru to comply with OECD standards on public finance management at the subnational level.\n\n## Launch event\n\nAt the launch event at the Swiss Ambassador’s residence in Lima, high-level diplomats and subnational government leaders gathered to celebrate the programme’s successes so far.\n\nPaul Garnier, Swiss Ambassador to Peru, highlighted the significance of the ongoing collaboration, saying:\n\n> _“__It is very important to maintain a stable economic framework and solid and transparent institutions that generate confidence and allow for the further deepening of economic relations between Peru and Switzerland._ _It is also important to improve the provision of basic services such as health, education and sanitation._ _We hope that the new phase of the Subnational GFP Programme will contribute to sustainable growth and also to poverty reduction__.”_\n\nMassimo Bloch, Director of the Swiss Economic Cooperation - SECO commented:\n\n> “_This_ _third phase of the_ _Programa GFP Subnacional_ _has been designed taking into account the good practices learned, as well as the particular characteristics and needs of each regional or local government._ _On behalf of SECO…__we want to accompany the coordination, effectiveness and implementation of policies that_ _foster_ _sustainable growth and improve public services for citizens._ _Our commitment to Peru is long-term__.”_\n\nCarlos Vargas Mas, Programme Director, remarked:\n\n> _“Our work has proven that technical assistance, when combined with a commitment to transparency and good governance, can create lasting, meaningful improvements for millions of Peruvians. This new phase will further solidify these gains.”_\n\nAmong the distinguished guests at the event were the Director of the Swiss Economic Cooperation - SECO in Peru, Massimo Bloch, the Basel Institute on Governance’s Head of Latin America, Oscar Solórzano, a thematic coordinator of the Programme and former President of Peru’s Fiscal Council, Carlos Oliva, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Betty Sotelo, and the former Minister of Economy and Finance, Miguel Castilla.\n\n## Expanded beneficiaries, alignment with national policies\n\nThe regional government of Loreto and municipality of Maynas are set to join the programme’s 11 existing beneficiaries: the municipalities of Abancay, Cusco, Piura, San Martín (Tarapoto) and Trujillo, as well as the regional governments of Apurímac, Cusco, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Piura and San Martín.\n\nThe programme will also continue close coordination with relevant state institutions, including the [Public Integrity Secretariat](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Ffostering-peer-learning-and-innovation-public-integrity-peru), Ministry of Economy and other relevant Ministries such as health and education, government environmental agencies, prosecutors’ offices and the judiciary.\n\n## Learn more\n\n*   Download a flyer in [Spanish](http:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2024-11\u002FProgramaGFP_ES.pdf) or [English](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2024-11\u002FProgramaGFP_EN.pdf).\n*   See SECO’s [information sheet](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cooperacionsuiza.pe\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F10\u002FHoja-informativa-finanza-publicas-SECO-2024.pdf) on Switzerland’s commitment to helping Peru improve public finance management (in Spanish).\n*   Watch a short [video about the programme’s achievements](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=8TtfzpfugP4) in the second phase (in Spanish).\n*   Watch [testimonials from public officials](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fplaylist?list=PLYRnhpCcnLP_3bkP5LFPtKnbD0HV1M1vy) telling stories of how the programme has benefited them and the citizens they serve.\n*   View the [Programa GFP Subnacional website](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F) and follow the programme on [LinkedIn](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fprograma-gfp-subnacional) and [Facebook](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002FGFPsubnacional\u002F).","2024-10-21","swiss-peruvian-public-finance-management-programme-enters-exciting-new-phase-2708","Swiss-Peruvian public finance management programme enters exciting new phase","https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcms\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Ff355701d-4d0b-4a0f-a1f3-686436118cb4?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=90",[227],7091,[16],[230,231],"Anti-corruption interventions","Partnerships",[],2708,[16],[230,231],[],[],[18],[],"2024-10-21T10:01:42.000Z","2026-06-24T13:41:32.000Z",[],[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fswiss-peruvian-public-finance-management-programme-enters-exciting-new-phase-2708",{"id":246,"body":247,"status":6,"type":10,"date":248,"slug":249,"title":250,"image":251,"countries":252,"topic":254,"activity":256,"tags":258,"nid":259,"topics":260,"activities":262,"authors":263,"images":264,"websites":265,"area":13,"programme":13,"language":13,"translations":266,"translation_of":13,"user_created":169,"date_created":267,"user_updated":171,"date_updated":268,"content":269,"translations_news":270,"link":271},10448,"USD 94 million dollars is the amount of money recovered so far by the Peruvian State through its _Extinción de Dominio_ law, according to Attorney General Juan Carlos Villena Campana.\n\nIntroduced in 2018, the non-conviction based forfeiture law has been rolled out across the country via a subsystem of specialised prosecutor’s offices, tribunals and courts. The development and implementation of the law was supported by the Basel Institute and its International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR), which has worked with the country’s criminal justice authorities since 2013.\n\nThe Attorney General lauded the law at a two-day National Meeting of Specialised Prosecutors in Extinción de Dominio on 5-6 June 2024. He also praised the specialised prosecutors who have been using it successfully to recover assets linked to financial and organised crime.\n\nThe event was organised with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Peru and the [Programa GFP Subnacional](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F), a long-running programme to strengthen public finance management that is funded by the Swiss SECO Cooperation in Peru and implemented by our local team.\n\nThe following is an adapted translation of the [Peruvian Government’s press release](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.gob.pe\u002Finstitucion\u002Fmpfn\u002Fnoticias\u002F967500-fiscal-de-la-nacion-estado-peruano-recupero-94-millones-de-dolares-desde-que-iniciaron-sus-funciones-las-fiscalias-extincion-de-dominio).\n\n## Asset recovery weakens criminal networks and is vital for development\n\nThe Attorney General, Juan Carlos Villena Campana, inaugurated the First National Meeting of the Specialised Prosecutors in Extinción de Dominio that is being held for two days at the headquarters of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Peru, Programa GFP Subnacional of the Swiss Cooperation Programme - SECO and Basel Institute on Governance.\n\nIn his speech, Villena Campana highlighted the work carried out by the specialised prosecutors of the country’s subsystem for Exintinción de Dominio. Praising their dedication and effort, he explained how they have managed to recover more than USD 94 million dollars in tangible and intangible assets in favour of the State. The assets had been illegally obtained by criminal organisations.\n\nHe argued that these specialised prosecutors' offices weaken the capacity of criminal organisations, saying:\n\n> The legal mechanism of Extinción de Dominio, through these prosecutors’ offices, has become a powerful tool for combating the assets of organised crime. The ability to recover these resources is fundamental for promoting development and progress in Peru.\n\n## Scaling up and creating sustainable systems\n\nVillena Campana considered that, taking into account that this is an emerging subsystem, it is necessary to standardise, systematise and document the procedures of these prosecutors' offices in order to facilitate and improve the work of both the prosecutorial and administrative staff.\n\nAll of this is aimed at strengthening society's confidence in the Attorney General’s Office and, in general, in the justice system.\n\nHe also highlighted other actions, such as the implementation and adaptation of the prosecutorial management system for all specialised prosecutor’s offices. This will systematise the procedural aspects at the national level.\n\nIn addition, he mentioned the development of a tech-driven system of expert reports and a draft manual for parallel criminal and financial investigations, the latter led by the specialised prosecutors.\n\n## Switzerland: long-running support leads to success\n\nThe Swiss Ambassador to Peru, Paul Garnier, said that the ties of collaboration between Peru and Switzerland have a long history. In the area of asset recovery, it is clear that proactive and determined cooperation has borne fruit. He recalled:\n\n> It is with satisfaction that we recall the first recovery processes at the beginning of the century that allowed Peru to recover significant sums of money from Switzerland and other States.\n\nAmbassador Garnier highlighted the joint work of the Swiss Economic Cooperation – SECO and the Basel Institute on Governance as strategic allies. He mentioned the Basel Institute’s contribution, based on its global experience, in preventing and combating corruption and in strengthening governance systems.\n\nThe opening ceremony was also attended by Elma Sonia Vergara Cabrera, National Coordinator and Senior Prosecutor of the Specialised Prosecutor's Offices for Extinción de Dominio; prosecutorial and administrative staff of the Public Prosecutor's Office; and Oscar Solórzano, Head of Latin America at the Basel Institute on Governance.\n\n## Learn more\n\n*   Watch a short [video](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=LiLe0snLIXI) by Peru's Public Prosecutor's Office about the law and subsystem.\n*   See extracts from [speeches](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Ffeed\u002Fupdate\u002Furn:li:activity:7204830470226784256) by Swiss Ambassador Paul Garnier and Prosecutor Vergara Cabrera.\n*   Read an [interview](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fquispe-callo-case-perus-provincial-prosecutors-recover-corrupt-assets-through-non-conviction) with a Specialised Prosecutor from Cusco about the use of the non-conviction based forfeiture law to recover assets arising from corruption.\n*   Find out about the [Subnational Public Finance Management Strengthening Programme](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublic-finance-peru), which leads the rollout of the specialised subsystem and supported the organisation of the two-day event.\n*   Learn about the work of the Basel Institute’s [International Centre for Asset Recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery), which receives core funding from the Governments of Jersey, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.","2024-06-06","peru-celebrates-five-years-of-its-non-conviction-based-forfeiture-law-usd-94-million-so-far-2637","Peru celebrates five years of its non-conviction based forfeiture law – USD 94 million so far","https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcms\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F7d34fdd9-0610-40fa-872b-65de07a1fefc?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=90",[253],7120,[255,16],"Asset Recovery",[189,231,257],"International cooperation",[],2637,[261,16],"Asset Recovery and Enforcement",[189,231,257],[],[],[18],[],"2024-06-06T22:01:30.000Z","2026-06-24T13:41:47.000Z",[],[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fperu-celebrates-five-years-of-its-non-conviction-based-forfeiture-law-usd-94-million-so-far-2637",{"id":273,"body":274,"status":6,"type":10,"date":275,"slug":276,"title":277,"image":278,"countries":279,"topic":281,"activity":282,"tags":284,"nid":289,"topics":290,"activities":291,"authors":292,"images":293,"websites":294,"area":13,"programme":13,"language":13,"translations":295,"translation_of":13,"user_created":169,"date_created":296,"user_updated":171,"date_updated":297,"content":298,"translations_news":299,"link":300},10424,"Authorities in Cusco in southeast Peru have succeeded in recovering a house and land linked to acts of corruption by the former mayor of the province of Canchis, using a recently introduced non-conviction based forfeiture law.\n\nSpecialised Prosecutors working with asset recovery specialists of the [Programa GFP Subnacional](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F) were able to prove that land was purchased, and the house built, with proceeds of corruption. The assets were confiscated under Peru’s law of _Extinción de Dominio_, a form of non-conviction based confiscation law targeting illicit assets separately from criminal proceedings.\n\nThe judgment under the Extinción de Dominio law is the first obtained by Peruvian authorities at the subnational level with the support of the Programa GFP or [Subnational Public Finance Management Programme](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublic-finance-peru) of the [Swiss SECO Cooperation in Peru](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cooperacionsuiza.pe\u002Fseco\u002F), implemented by the Basel Institute on Governance.\n\n## Corruption doesn’t pay\n\nThe successful recovery of the assets demonstrates – to corrupt officials as well as to citizens – that corruption does not pay.\n\nIt also indicates the value of having a robust non-conviction based confiscation law and system at the subnational level. While criminal proceedings against the mayor are ongoing, they typically take much longer to complete than non-conviction based proceedings, which use a lower (civil) standard of proof.\n\nIn the meantime, valuable assets such as the corruptly obtained land and house cannot be recovered, and even have to be managed and maintained to avoid a depreciation in value.\n\nThe Basel Institute supported the Peruvian authorities in the drafting and enactment of the law in 2018, as well its implementation since then via a national “subsystem” of specialised courts, tribunals and prosecutors’ offices. As well as targeted capacity building and case-based mentoring, our team has organised peer learning events such as major two-day [convention of judges](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fjudges-convention-shows-why-peru-leader-recovering-proceeds-corruption-through-non-conviction) specialised in the use of this law.\n\n## In the prosecutor’s words\n\nDr. Sergio Jiménez, who leads the team responsible for asset recovery assistance at the subnational level under the long-running programme, spoke to Dr. Yolanda Inquiltupa Calvo about the significance of the \"Quispe Callo\", named after the former mayor Jorge Quispe Callo. Dr. Inquiltupa Calvo is Provincial Prosecutor for Extinción de Dominio in Cusco.\n\n[Read](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F2024\u002F02\u002F16\u002Fjusticia-peruana-extingue-bien-de-ex-alcaldede-la-region-cusco-se-logra-sentencia-emblematica-de-aplicacion-de-la-ley-de-decomiso-sin-condena-en-cusco\u002F) or [watch](https:\u002F\u002Fyoutu.be\u002FEkCDp5QzvL8) the original interview in Spanish.\n\nDr. Inquiltupa, the Extinción de Dominio law came into force five years ago. How important is this tool for Peru in general and for Cusco in particular?\n\nVery important. Reality has taught us that criminals are not deterred by the prospect of a conviction. It is not a problem for them to go to prison if they can get out and still enjoy the assets they have acquired illicitly.\n\nThis is where non-conviction based confiscation comes into play. Through a judicial process that takes place in court, we are able to confiscate assets that have been acquired with proceeds of crime. We can also confiscate assets that were used to facilitate the commission of crimes. The assets are being returned to the public treasury for the benefit of citizens.\n\nWhy is the decision in the Quispe Callo case important and what message do you think it sends out?\n\nThis ruling is very special. We launched the Extinción de Dominio case after learning of a police investigation into the former mayor Quispe Callo together with other public officials. We were then able to identify assets that he had acquired, both himself and also jointly with his partner.\n\nIn the ruling, it was established that not only had the land been acquired with funds arising from public-sector corruption, but also the construction of the house itself. The total value was approximately PEN 350,000 (just under USD 100,000).\n\nCan you tell us about your collaboration with the Basel Institute’s asset recovery specialists in this case?\n\nFor us, as an asset recovery office, the support provided by the Basel Institute on Governance through the Programa GFP Subnacional is very important. First, for the technical assistance related to specific cases. Second, for the more general assistance in improving our effectiveness and productivity.\n\nIn this case, the team supported us in the analysis of the case, in the review of the evidence and in the coordination required to gather more information. As a result, we were able to jointly draw up a very well prepared action plan that allowed us to identify the illicit assets and launch proceedings to confiscate them.\n\nIn your opinion, what can we look forward to in terms of asset recovery through Extinción de Dominio and what does it mean for the targeting of criminal behaviour?\n\nI foresee a very promising outlook for Peru in terms of asset recovery. This is not only because of the progress we have made at the provincial level here in Cusco. At the national level, where the law is being used by different entities of the Peruvian system, asset recovery is advancing by leaps and bounds.\n\nI understand that we have more than 600 judgments at the national level, and we have already recovered assets in excess of USD 60 million through this law alone. Where nothing was happening before, now we are finally seeing progress.\n\nWhat we are trying to achieve with this is to bring about a change in thinking – a change in the perceptions of citizens around crime and corruption. The general perception is that crime is lucrative. We want to reverse that, so that citizens know that crime does _not_ pay.\n\n## Learn more\n\n*   Learn more about the Programa GFP Subnacional in [Spanish](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F) or [English](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublic-finance-peru).\n*   Learn more about the work of our [International Centre for Asset Recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery)","2024-02-28","the-quispe-callo-case-perus-provincial-prosecutors-recover-corrupt-assets-through-non-conviction-based-confiscation-2590","The Quispe Callo case: Peru’s provincial prosecutors recover corrupt assets through non-conviction based confiscation","https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcms\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F229c7075-9380-4700-b2d7-95b1a4a510eb?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=90",[280],7131,[255,16],[283],"",[285],{"tags_id":286},{"id":287,"name":288},1379,"Non-conviction based forfeiture",2590,[261,16],[],[],[],[18],[],"2024-02-28T11:01:30.000Z","2026-06-24T13:41:51.000Z",[],[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fthe-quispe-callo-case-perus-provincial-prosecutors-recover-corrupt-assets-through-non-conviction-based-confiscation-2590",{"id":302,"body":303,"status":6,"type":10,"date":304,"slug":305,"title":306,"image":307,"countries":308,"topic":310,"activity":311,"tags":313,"nid":314,"topics":315,"activities":316,"authors":317,"images":318,"websites":319,"area":13,"programme":13,"language":13,"translations":320,"translation_of":13,"user_created":169,"date_created":321,"user_updated":171,"date_updated":322,"content":323,"translations_news":324,"link":325},10416,"Better management of public infrastructure projects could save significant amounts of taxpayers’ money and result in better buildings, roads and bridges. But the public officials managing the projects are often unaware of academic frameworks and tools that could help them to manage the investments more efficiently and transparently.\n\nA new academic course developed by our Subnational Public Finance Management Strengthening Programme ([Programa GFP](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F)) and the University of Piura seeks to address that issue for public officials in Peru.\n\nFocused on public procurement and infrastructure, the course is designed to enhance the skills of public officials by providing them with academic insights that are directly applicable to their work. In this way, the course connects academic knowledge with real-world practice.\n\nDelivered virtually to meet the needs of officials working across Peru, the course covers the intricacies of project implementation, from bidding processes to completion. Fourty-one representatives of local governments received scholarships from the [Swiss SECO Cooperation in Peru](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.seco-cooperation.admin.ch\u002Fsecocoop\u002Fen\u002Fhome\u002Flaender\u002Fperu.html) to attend the first edition of the course, which began in January 2024.\n\n## Public investments at risk\n\nInvestment in infrastructure is a fundamental fiscal tool for promoting a country’s growth, but it can also be plagued by problems of mismanagement and inefficiency.\n\nAccording to Professor Huaita, Director of the Department of Economics at the University of Piura, most infrastructure investment in Peru takes place at the subnational level. Regions and towns across Peru could benefit hugely from public investment in basic infrastructure like hospitals, schools, transport and bridges. It is therefore especially important that potential losses and inefficiencies are minimised.\n\nOur team’s [research](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Flarge-public-investment-projects-large-challenges-new-analysis-peru) shows that in Peru, approximately 40 percent of potential returns from infrastructure investments are lost because of complications in managing the projects. This is especially due to delays in the awarding of public tenders and the interruption of investments during a project’s execution.\n\nProfessor Huaita comments:\n\n> Without proper management of investments, any benefits can be substantially reduced… projects are delayed, lose funding… there is waste of resources due to inefficient procurement processes, cost overruns due to corruption, and projects do not respond to adequate territorial planning.\n\n## From theory to practice to strengthen integrity\n\n[The new course](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.udep.edu.pe\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F01\u002FBrochure-P.E-Gestion-de-la-Inversion-Publica-2024-I-.pdf) takes a comprehensive approach to these challenges. It addresses the issues faced by local government officials in their interactions with the national investment management system.\n\nParticipants engage in real-world problem-solving scenarios under the guidance of the course facilitators, who are experts in infrastructure projects, public-private partnerships, administrative law, public contracts, management and finance. A hands-on approach ensures that participants gain practical knowledge which is directly applicable to their roles in government and can be immediately employed in their day-to-day work.\n\nThe 112-hour course will be delivered in five modules. In the breaks in between modules, participants can try out their new knowledge before returning to the class to discuss their experiences.\n\n## Learn more\n\n*   See the [news item](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F2024\u002F01\u002F04\u002Fprograma-gfp-subnacional-lanza-novedosa-especializacion-en-gestion-de-la-inversion-publica\u002F) (in Spanish) on the website of our Programa GFP Subnacional. Funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) since 2015, the programme supports 11 local and regional governments in Peru to build capacity to manage public finances and to recover stolen funds.\n*   See the [course brochure](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.udep.edu.pe\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F01\u002FBrochure-P.E-Gestion-de-la-Inversion-Publica-2024-I-.pdf) (in Spanish).\n*   Read a related report about the challenges of public investment at the subnational level in Peru: [_Desafíos para la ejecución de grandes proyectos de inversión desde los gobiernos subnacionales del Perú_](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002FDesafios-para-la-ejecucion-de-grandes-proyectos.pdf) or see the [executive summary in English](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Flarge-public-investment-projects-large-challenges-new-analysis-peru).","2024-02-08","managing-public-investments-in-infrastructure-novel-course-in-peru-connects-theory-and-practice-2581","Managing public investments in infrastructure: novel course in Peru connects theory and practice","https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcms\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F2ba4d487-b350-4302-90d2-12bcdff3ad69?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=90",[309],7137,[16],[312,142],"Courses",[],2581,[16,163],[312,142],[],[],[18],[],"2024-02-08T17:01:32.000Z","2026-06-24T13:41:53.000Z",[],[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fmanaging-public-investments-in-infrastructure-novel-course-in-peru-connects-theory-and-practice-2581",{"id":327,"body":328,"status":6,"type":10,"date":329,"slug":330,"title":331,"image":332,"countries":333,"topic":335,"activity":336,"tags":337,"nid":338,"topics":339,"activities":340,"authors":341,"images":342,"websites":343,"area":13,"programme":13,"language":13,"translations":344,"translation_of":13,"user_created":169,"date_created":345,"user_updated":171,"date_updated":322,"content":346,"translations_news":347,"link":348},10413,"Corruption prevention measures are often talked about at the national level: “Governments need to do this and that to prevent corruption.”\n\nBut Peru’s Regional Government of San Martín provides a good example of what can be achieved at the _subnational_ levels to increase public integrity and transparency.\n\nThe ingredients: strong political commitment, a clear understanding of regional corruption vulnerabilities and dedicated technical support.\n\n## Top spot in the national integrity rankings\n\nAt the end of 2023, [San Martín came first](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gob.pe\u002Finstitucion\u002Fregionsanmartin\u002Fnoticias\u002F884698-gore-san-martin-ocupa-primer-lugar-en-la-implementacion-del-modelo-de-integridad-publica) in Peru’s national integrity index. The [_Índice de Capacidad Preventiva_](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gob.pe\u002F46242-indice-de-capacidad-preventiva-frente-a-la-corrupcion-icp) or Preventive Capacity Index measures the success of regional authorities in implementing the national Public Integrity Model.\n\nThe index, published by the Public Integrity Secretariat of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, looks at nine components of the Public Integrity Model designed to increase the capacity of regional governments to prevent corruption and manage public finances transparency for the benefit of citizens.\n\nSan Martín scored 1.6 on a scale of 0 to 2, which represents significant progress in the implementation and execution of the model.\n\nGovernor Walter Grundel Jiménez has repeatedly expressed his firm commitment to fighting corruption. He highlighted the importance of these results for San Martín citizens and the professionalism of the team of public officials in charge of managing public finances and services:\n\n> I wish to convey to our people that these results reflect the fulfilment of our responsibility as a government. We have established a team of professionals committed to protecting the general welfare and meeting the needs and expectations of the community.\n\n## Targeted assistance on public finance management and environmental corruption\n\nAt the Basel Institute we are particularly thrilled at the results, as we work closely with the San Martín authorities on corruption prevention and public finance management.\n\nOur Subnational Public Finance Management Strengthening programme ([Programa GFP Subnacional](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F)) has been providing technical assistance on corruption prevention, integrity and internal controls to San Martín since 2015, as part of a wider programme funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).\n\nMore recently, our Green Corruption programme has been supporting the San Martín authorities in [addressing corruption risks related to the trade in timber](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fcutting-corruption-timber-trade-northern-peru-action-plan) from the region’s rich Amazon rainforest.\n\nThe programme, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through its [Conflict, Stability and Security Fund](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gov.uk\u002Fgovernment\u002Forganisations\u002Fconflict-stability-and-security-fund\u002Fabout) (CSSF), shows the value of working hand in hand with local and regional governments to address specific environmental corruption risks. \n\nThe British Ambassador to Peru, Gavin Cook, expressed his congratulations, commenting:\n\n> It is brilliant to see that UK support through the CSSF (Conflict, Stability and Security Fund) to the work of the Basel Institute on Governance tackling green corruption in the San Martín region of Peru is producing real results. Our support has contributed to the success of the regional government hitting the top spot in Peru’s national integrity ranking, showing clear improvement in their ability to prevent unlawful projects in the Amazon.\n\nAs we highlighted in a [previous article](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fcutting-corruption-timber-trade-northern-peru-action-plan), the commitment of the regional authorities in San Martín illustrates:\n\n*   The importance of supporting subnational governments that demonstrate political will to combat their specific corruption risks, including those relating to the local environment.\n*   The need to invest in strengthening internal controls and preventive measures to complement law enforcement efforts. Preventive measures can greatly reduce the risks that corruption will lead to harm to local citizens and the environment.\n\n## Learn more\n\n*   About the Swiss-funded Subnational Public Finance Management Strengthening programme in [English](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublic-finance-peru) and [Spanish](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F).\n*   About the Basel Institute’s [Green Corruption programme](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption), which implements the project \"Promoting asset recovery techniques in crimes against the environment and preventing environmental corruption in Peru\" funded by the UK via CSSF.","2024-01-23","improving-public-integrity-in-peru-how-regional-governments-can-take-the-lead-2571","Improving public integrity in Peru: how regional governments can take the lead","https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcms\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F2e8ef975-1e8b-44c6-b961-b30807502f8f?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=90",[334],7139,[187,16],[230],[],2571,[187,16],[230],[],[],[18],[],"2024-01-23T11:01:36.000Z",[],[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fimproving-public-integrity-in-peru-how-regional-governments-can-take-the-lead-2571",{"id":350,"body":351,"status":6,"type":10,"date":352,"slug":353,"title":354,"image":355,"countries":356,"topic":358,"activity":359,"tags":360,"nid":361,"topics":362,"activities":363,"authors":364,"images":365,"websites":366,"area":13,"programme":13,"language":13,"translations":367,"translation_of":13,"user_created":169,"date_created":368,"user_updated":171,"date_updated":369,"content":370,"translations_news":371,"link":372},10382,"Our Subnational Public Finance Management (PFM) Strengthening Programme in Peru is ramping up efforts to encourage peer learning, capacity building and innovation on public-sector integrity, with the first joint public integrity workshop held on 14 July 2023.\n\nLeaders from six regional governments joined representatives from Peru’s central Public Integrity Secretariat and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to discuss progress and challenges in the country’s Regional Integrity Strengthening Agenda.\n\nSince 2015, our team of public finance management experts – [Programa GFP Subnacional](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F) – has been assisting 11 subnational governments to manage public resources in an efficient, effective and transparent manner. The programme is supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and implemented by our regional office in Peru.\n\n## Strengthening integrity risk management practices\n\nBased on their hands-on experience working with subnational governments, our Programa GFP Subnacional team has been working closely with the Public Integrity Secretariat to develop guidance on managing integrity risks in public entities.\n\nPublished earlier this year, the [joint guide](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fperuvian-government-publishes-integrity-risk-management-guidelines-support-basel-institutes) forms the basis of the work of integrity offices in all government entities, covering ministries, other central government entities, regional governments and municipalities.\n\nThe integrity workshop provided an important opportunity for integrity officials at the regional and national levels of government to build on that work and strengthen channels of communication and cooperation. This is rare: many governments have no such channels, leading to a lack of harmony and mutual understanding on integrity risks and tools to manage them.\n\nInternational donors are supporting the rollout of harmonised integrity risk management training for government officials at the national, regional and municipal levels. Earlier this year, the Public Integrity Secretariat and our Programa GFP Subnacional team developed a training course with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and USAID; 1,400 officials have already been trained.\n\n## Innovating for integrity\n\nThe Programa GFP Subnacional team is also working closely with UNDP to develop an innovative public integrity tool based on lessons from behavioural science. This tool targets the behaviour of individuals who may be tempted to act against ethical standards in exchange for personal gain.\n\nSuch behavioural intervention programmes are an integral element of sound and transparent public finance management. As our [research](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublic-governance) has shown, addressing corruption and raising levels of integrity is not just about laws, regulations and codes, but about changing people's behaviour and the social norms that influence that behaviour.\n\nA representative from the UNDP was at the integrity workshop to discuss the forthcoming implementation of the pilot in six regional governments supported by the Programa GFP Subnacional.\n\n## Peer learning among regional leaders\n\nLast, initiatives such as the joint public integrity workshop are critical to fostering peer learning among regional leaders. It is important for integrity practitioners at all levels of government to have opportunities to discuss common challenges and share success stories. Innovative ideas to boost integrity and public finance management from one region – like [behavioural nudges to boost tax collection](https:\u002F\u002Far.baselgovernance.org\u002F17\u002F) – can be successfully adapted to others.\n\nAchievements such as these underscore the importance of dialogue and collaboration in promoting sound and transparent governance, including public finance management. \n\nOur team looks forward to continuing to support government and subnational government partners in improving public-sector integrity and financial management for the benefit of the people of Peru.","2023-07-27","fostering-peer-learning-and-innovation-on-public-integrity-in-peru-2492","Fostering peer learning and innovation on public integrity in Peru","https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fcms\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Faa63e358-3904-4e4c-9f72-eaa1088cd34d?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=90",[357],7171,[16],[231],[],2492,[16],[231],[],[],[18],[],"2023-07-27T16:01:33.000Z","2026-06-24T13:42:03.000Z",[],[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Ffostering-peer-learning-and-innovation-on-public-integrity-in-peru-2492",{"left":374,"top":374,"width":375,"height":375,"rotate":374,"vFlip":376,"hFlip":376,"body":377},0,20,false,"\u003Cpath fill=\"currentColor\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M17 10a.75.75 0 0 1-.75.75H5.612l4.158 3.96a.75.75 0 1 1-1.04 1.08l-5.5-5.25a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.08l5.5-5.25a.75.75 0 1 1 1.04 1.08L5.612 9.25H16.25A.75.75 0 0 1 17 10\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\u002F>",1787588025806]