[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":333},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-rise-ukraine-coalition-launched-today-basel-institute-among-20-partners-promoting-transparent-and-efficient-reconstruction-2246":3,"news-rise-ukraine-coalition-launched-today-basel-institute-among-20-partners-promoting-transparent-and-efficient-reconstruction-2246-similar":64,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":328},[4],{"id":5,"status":6,"date_created":7,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"date":12,"topic":13,"slug":15,"activity":16,"nid":19,"topics":20,"activities":21,"programme":22,"area":22,"websites":23,"language":22,"image":25,"translation_of":22,"countries":36,"tags":59,"authors":60,"images":61,"translations":62,"content":63},10284,"published","2022-07-07T16:24:48.000Z","2026-05-08T21:17:37.000Z","RISE Ukraine coalition launched today – Basel Institute among 20+ partners promoting transparent and efficient reconstruction","News","The Basel Institute on Governance has joined a new coalition of Ukrainian organisations and international partners — [RISE Ukraine](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rise.org.ua\u002F) — that was launched today at the [Ukraine Recovery Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.urc2022.com\u002F) (#URC2022) in Lugano, Switzerland. The coalition promotes a vision of integrity, sustainability and efficiency for the country’s post-war reconstruction.\n\nThe coalition, which unites more than 20 Ukrainian and international organisations working on open government and anti-corruption reform, has unveiled [10 principles](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rise.org.ua\u002F#principles) for Ukraine’s reconstruction and modernisation. It is supported by Ukraine’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Economy, National Agency for Corruption Prevention, and other leading government institutions.\n\n### What will RISE Ukraine do?\n\nRISE Ukraine will lay the foundation for digital solutions and build accountable, transparent and inclusive processes to enable the participation of all actors. The aim is to ensure a fair and level playing field for businesses, while ensuring decisions are accountable and fast.\n\nThe coalition promotes open and constructive dialogue across Ukraine’s civil society and civic tech community, government agencies, international partners, donors and other authorities to achieve these objectives.\n\nAndrii Borovyk, Executive Director, Transparency International Ukraine, emphasised the importance of inclusivity in Ukraine’s reconstruction, saying:\n\n> Every Ukrainian will have to be involved in the reconstruction process, whether it is by ensuring inclusive and equitable project planning and prioritisation, monitoring implementation of projects, or reporting potential corruption.\n\nGretta Fenner, Managing Director of the Basel Institute on Governance, said:\n\n> In the current environment, we need to consolidate our work and cannot afford silos. RISE Ukraine is designed to address this and will explicitly work in close collaboration with Ukraine’s powerful anti-corruption institutions and across the multiple sectors engaged in managing the gigantic reconstruction challenge.\n\n### Boosting institutional capacity and coordination\n\nUkraine also needs to increase its institutional capacity as well as coordinate the efforts of all the agencies involved.\n\nAccording to the Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov, for fast, efficient and strategic reconstruction Ukraine has to increase its institutional capacity. This is especially true in relation to systemic approaches and coordinating different ministries’ and agencies’ efforts. Kubrakov explained:\n\n> The most effective way to fight corruption is to build effective public institutions. At the same time, anti-corruption tools and methods should be applied all along the entire cycle of every infrastructure project. Therefore, with the support of international partners and civil society, we strive to build not only new infrastructure, but also a new infrastructure project management architecture.\n\n### Open data on contracting and beneficial ownership\n\nCitizens and businesses should be involved in the planning, monitoring and oversight of recovery spending, building on existing [citizen feedback approaches, such as using the Dozorro](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.open-contracting.org\u002F2020\u002F09\u002F14\u002Fdozorro-a-network-of-citizen-corruption-fighters) network of civic monitors.\n\nOne of the key aims is to create a full accountability chain through publishing complete, timely and open data in line with international best practices and open data standards. These include the [Open Contracting Data Standard](https:\u002F\u002Fstandard.open-contracting.org) for public procurement and the [Beneficial Ownership Data Standard](https:\u002F\u002Fstandard.openownership.org) for information on businesses winning contracts.\n\nTo further prevent corruption and misuse of funds, we will advocate for effective mechanisms to prosecute corruption and violations in the process of reconstruction.\n\n### More \n\n*   The RISE Ukraine coalition is non-political and committed to the highest ethical standards and principles to ensure Ukraine's development. Its members have a long history of building and running efficient and transparent open government approaches creating maximum social and economic opportunity for citizens. [More details about the members of the coalition.](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rise.org.ua\u002Fmembers)\n*   Background on some of Ukraine’s civic technology-driven reforms, including its e-procurement platform [Prozorro](https:\u002F\u002Fmedium.com\u002F@opencontracting\u002Fgovernments-first-online-store-driven-by-open-data-574ba06a23ce), the [state asset sales platform Prozorro.Sale](https:\u002F\u002Fmedium.com\u002F@opencontracting\u002Fgovernments-first-online-store-driven-by-open-data-574ba06a23ce), and [the Dozorro citizen monitoring network](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.open-contracting.org\u002F2020\u002F09\u002F14\u002Fdozorro-a-network-of-citizen-corruption-fighters\u002F).\n*   The Basel Institute on Governance and Transparency International Ukraine attended the Ukraine Recovery Conference on 4–5 July to advocate for a series of [anti-corruption measures](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fukraine-recovery-conference-anti-corruption-critical-condition-sustainable-recovery) that should be built into plans for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. [See the full recommendations here](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2022-07\u002FUkraine-AC-recommendations_final.pdf), [download the infographic](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2022-07\u002FLuganoInfographic2.pdf) or view the [recommendations in Ukrainian](https:\u002F\u002Fti-ukraine.org\u002Fnews\u002Fantykoruptsiya-yak-krytychna-umova-stalogo-vidnovlennya\u002F).\n*   Read an opinion article by Gretta Fenner and Andrii Borovyk, published on the first day of URC2022: [Don’t let a kleptocrat’s war destroy Ukraine’s reconstruction](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fdont-let-kleptocrats-war-destroy-ukraines-reconstruction).","2022-07-05",[14],"","rise-ukraine-coalition-launched-today-basel-institute-among-20-partners-promoting-transparent-and-efficient-reconstruction-2246",[17,18],"Partnerships","Media releases",2246,[],[17,18],null,[24],"Main page",{"id":26,"storage":27,"filename_disk":28,"filename_download":29,"title":9,"type":30,"created_on":31,"modified_on":31,"charset":22,"filesize":32,"width":33,"height":34,"duration":22,"embed":22,"description":22,"location":22,"tags":22,"metadata":35,"focal_point_x":22,"focal_point_y":22,"tus_id":22,"tus_data":22,"uploaded_on":31},"69a12bab-031e-461c-80f9-2a1938004070","local","69a12bab-031e-461c-80f9-2a1938004070.webp","tmp.webp","image\u002Fwebp","2025-05-12T21:16:30.000Z",85328,1400,785,{},[37],{"id":38,"news_id":39,"countries_id":53},7241,{"id":5,"status":6,"user_created":40,"date_created":7,"user_updated":41,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"image":26,"date":12,"topic":42,"slug":15,"activity":43,"nid":19,"topics":44,"activities":45,"programme":22,"area":22,"websites":46,"translation_of":22,"language":22,"countries":47,"tags":48,"authors":49,"images":50,"translations":51,"content":52},"03bebfd8-0b40-4a2a-820d-b9d9c13b9de6","dfef11db-1bc6-47e9-a61d-93443995484b",[14],[17,18],[],[17,18],[24],[38],[],[],[],[],[],{"id":54,"name":55,"code":56,"latitude":57,"longitude":58},225,"Ukraine","UA",48.37943,31.16558,[],[],[],[],[],[65,90,123,152,209,233,256,279,301],{"id":66,"body":67,"status":6,"type":10,"date":68,"slug":69,"title":70,"image":71,"countries":72,"topic":74,"activity":76,"tags":77,"nid":78,"topics":79,"activities":80,"authors":81,"images":82,"websites":83,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":22,"translations":84,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":85,"user_updated":86,"date_updated":87,"content":88,"link":89},10356,"We are delighted to have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, the Ministry responsible for Ukraine's restoration. Under the agreement, we will work to minimise corruption risks in the use of state and donor funds allocated for the reconstruction of critical infrastructure.\n\nThis will include strengthening anti-corruption compliance in the road sector and assessing integrity risks when determining the cost of road works and services.\n\nOleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine, signed the Memorandum of Cooperation with Peter Maurer and Gretta Fenner, President and Managing Director of the Basel Institute on Governance.\n\n### Anti-corruption: a critical need\n\nAs the Ministry stated in its [Facebook post](https:\u002F\u002Fm.facebook.com\u002Flogin.php?next=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2Fstory.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid0kbZLjavApNcrxp99SWuYTQ8P36N8h2YoxBaGAKise9CVuHNmABCCVSpLEUMxY5Yel%26id%3D100064745704510&refsrc=deprecated&_rdr), the World Bank has estimated the total reconstruction need at USD 411 billion. Housing and critical infrastructure facilities require the most funds.\n\nUkraine is actively working to attract international partners, governmental and non-governmental organisations to assist in financing the reconstruction. The consistency of financial assistance directly depends on effective anti-corruption measures.\n\nUkraine is already working on digitalising processes and reforming the procurement sector to ensure transparency and accountability at all stages of reconstruction.\n\nReferring to these challenges, Minister Kubrakov said:\n\n> We are grateful to have the Basel Institute on Governance as a partner in our efforts to strengthen internal controls and promote integrity in the infrastructure sector.\n\nJuhani Grossmann, the Institute’s Senior Advisor for Central and Eastern Europe noted:\n\n> “The Basel Institute has long supported the Ukrainian government in the fight against the “enemy within” – corruption. With the full-scale invasion over a year ago, the corruption risk profile in Ukraine has evolved significantly and the need to prevent corruption in the restoration processes is essential. It is our honour to support the Ministry and its agencies in this endeavour.”\n\n### Cooperation agreement\n\nThe memorandum provides support for Ukraine's efforts to maintain and restore critical infrastructure. It focuses on strengthening resilience and integrity in the operational processes of the Ministry and its subordinate enterprises.\n\nThe cooperation also includes: \n\n*   conducting corruption risk assessments;\n*   development of plans to identify the risks of corruption-related criminal offences and anti-corruption plans\n*   identification of measures to reduce the risks of fraud and corruption;\n*   training of officials responsible for integrity and anti-corruption policy implementation.\n\nOur work in Ukraine is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, as well as the Principality of Liechtenstein which is funding our Green Corruption work on [illegal logging in Ukraine](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fdeepdive1-ukraine).\n\n### More\n\n*   View joint recommendations by the Basel Institute and Transparency International Ukraine presented at the [Ukraine Recovery Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fukraine-recovery-conference-anti-corruption-critical-condition-sustainable-recovery) and [International Anti-Corruption Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fstrengthening-ukraines-anti-corruption-and-judicial-infrastructure-safeguard-recovery) last year.\n*   Read a [joint blog](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fdont-let-kleptocrats-war-destroy-ukraines-reconstruction) by Gretta Fenner (Basel Institute) and Andrii Borovyk (Transparency International Ukraine) on safeguarding Ukraine's reconstruction from corruption.\n*   Learn more about financing Ukraine's reconstruction using recovered assets in this [panel discussion](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fasset-recovery-developments-start-war-ukraine) and [working paper](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fwp-42).\n*   Read about the [RISE Ukraine coalition](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Frise-ukraine-coalition-launched-today-basel-institute-among-20-partners-promoting-transparent) of Ukrainian organisations and international partners that promotes a vision of integrity, sustainability and efficiency for the country’s post-war reconstruction.","2023-04-05","transparent-reconstruction-in-ukraine-ministry-for-restoration-and-basel-institute-on-governance-sign-memorandum-of-cooperation-2425","Transparent reconstruction in Ukraine: Ministry for Restoration and Basel Institute on Governance sign Memorandum of Cooperation","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F0c954837-9f58-4922-893e-a488e62b694f?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[73],7190,[75],"Private Sector",[17],[],2425,[75,55],[17],[],[],[24],[],"2023-03-31T10:01:24.000Z","b0662e2a-864d-4888-a1b7-4342b7570b30","2026-05-23T09:20:06.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Ftransparent-reconstruction-in-ukraine-ministry-for-restoration-and-basel-institute-on-governance-sign-memorandum-of-cooperation-2425",{"id":91,"body":92,"status":6,"type":93,"date":94,"slug":95,"title":96,"image":97,"countries":98,"topic":101,"activity":103,"tags":107,"nid":108,"topics":109,"activities":111,"authors":112,"images":115,"websites":116,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":22,"translations":117,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":118,"user_updated":119,"date_updated":120,"content":121,"link":122},10285,"_Ukraine’s recovery will require billions of dollars – so leaders pledging reconstruction funds need to ensure Ukraine’s anti-corruption defences are up to the task. A joint opinion article by_ _Gretta Fenner, Managing Director, Basel Institute on Governance and Andrii Borovyk, Executive Director, Transparency International Ukraine. [View it in Ukrainian here.](https:\u002F\u002Fti-ukraine.org\u002Fblogs\u002Fne-dozvolte-vijni-kleptokrativ-zavadyty-vidbudovi-ukrayiny\u002F)_\n\nThe ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is causing unspeakable human tragedy. In addition, it is destroying the country’s economy and essential infrastructure. Rebuilding these won’t bring back those who died under Russian bombardments, but it will be critical for Ukraine’s recovery. And it is critical for Europe and the world; the war has only too dramatically illustrated how vulnerable and inter-dependent we all are.\n\nOn July 4 and 5 in Lugano, Switzerland, the Ukraine Recovery Conference will see leaders from around the world pledge hopefully billions to finance this recovery. It is estimated that up to USD 1 trillion will be needed, a sum likely to increase as the war wages on.\n\nWe applaud this and hope that these will not remain pledges, but that the urgently needed funds will be made available swiftly and generously. But in our [recommendations to those leaders](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fukraine-recovery-conference-anti-corruption-critical-condition-sustainable-recovery), we stress that where there is money, there is temptation. We highlight the need to prioritise the leadership selection process of Ukraine’s formidable anti-corruption institutions, including courts, use transparent procurement systems for reconstruction efforts, and strengthen the asset recovery systems so that they can help fuel the reconstruction efforts.\n\nEvery reconstruction effort brings with it massive corruption potential. In this regard, Ukraine will be no different from any other country which has seen a massive influx of funds as a result of natural disaster or war. Think Afghanistan, think Iraq, think the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.\n\nAnti-corruption has been high on Ukraine’s political agenda before the war. But even with significant reforms since 2014, the country is far from ready to withstand the inevitable attack by kleptocrats, organised criminal groups and corrupt officials at all levels who see a golden opportunity in Ukraine’s tragedy.\n\nLong before the Kremlin decided to invade Ukraine, it had been waging another war in Ukraine. This war pits the rule of law against the kleptocratic Soviet past which the Kremlin today wholeheartedly embraces as a vision for its present and future. Well aware that its legitimacy quickly crumbles when other countries with similar history make moves in the opposite direction, it has invented the Kremlin playbook to stop any such attempt in its tracks.\n\nWith the help of willing local enablers, it exports corruption to infiltrate the target countries’ governance, to deprive them of their resources and to destabilise their social fabric. Ultimately it destroys their statehood to the extent that in some of them, it is today those Russian sponsored kleptocratic enablers who are in charge; elected governments are kept around for a thin veneer of legitimacy.\n\nUkraine needs military support to fight back the Russian aggression, save its people and regain its territorial integrity. But Ukraine also needs anti-corruption weapons so that it can fight the kleptocratic Kremlin in this parallel war. If corruption is allowed to go unchecked, Ukraine’s reconstruction would hand a massive victory to those who benefit from this subversive kleptocratic war.\n\nTalking about corruption is never pleasant. Admitting that a country has corruption risks makes many squirm. But if we want to truly honour the heroic Ukrainian people and their sacrifices, corruption must be squarely at the centre of planning and implementation of recovery.\n\nWe urge world leaders to keep in mind these recommendations. Because if we don’t, then we allow the Kremlin to destroy Ukraine not once, but twice. And because nothing would undermine the Kleptocratic Kremlin more than a Ukraine that is able to rise from the ashes with integrity.\n\n_[See our joint recommendations in full](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2022-07\u002FUkraine-AC-recommendations_final.pdf) in English, [download the shorter infographic](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2022-07\u002FLuganoInfographic2.pdf) or view the [recommendations in Ukrainian](https:\u002F\u002Fti-ukraine.org\u002Fnews\u002Fantykoruptsiya-yak-krytychna-umova-stalogo-vidnovlennya\u002F)._\n\n_The blog post is available in Ukrainian here: [НЕ ДОЗВОЛЬТЕ ВІЙНІ КЛЕПТОКРАТІВ ЗАВАДИТИ ВІДБУДОВІ УКРАЇНИ](https:\u002F\u002Fti-ukraine.org\u002Fblogs\u002Fne-dozvolte-vijni-kleptokrativ-zavadyty-vidbudovi-ukrayiny\u002F)._","Blog","2022-07-04","dont-let-a-kleptocrats-war-destroy-ukraines-reconstruction-2245","Don’t let a kleptocrat’s war destroy Ukraine’s reconstruction","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F6c48dff8-a5ca-4d26-b214-b5af7cf4ff03?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[99,100],7242,7243,[102],"Asset Recovery",[104,105,106,17],"Events","Insights","Presentations",[],2245,[110],"Asset Recovery and Enforcement",[104,105,106,17],[113,114],1162,1163,[],[24],[],"2022-07-07T16:24:49.000Z","3d9ff205-1640-4f34-b5b6-86977f51bbd6","2026-05-29T22:22:22.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fdont-let-a-kleptocrats-war-destroy-ukraines-reconstruction-2245",{"id":124,"body":125,"status":6,"type":93,"date":126,"slug":127,"title":128,"image":129,"countries":130,"topic":134,"activity":135,"tags":136,"nid":141,"topics":142,"activities":143,"authors":144,"images":145,"websites":146,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":22,"translations":147,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":148,"user_updated":86,"date_updated":149,"content":150,"link":151},10421,"Corruption was on the main programme of the [Munich Security Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fsecurityconference.org\u002Fen\u002F) on 16–18 February 2024 for the first time.\n\nGretta Fenner, Managing Director of the Basel Institute on Governance, moderated a panel discussion featuring Bernardo Arévalo, President of Guatemala, Nikolai Denkov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Ketakandriana (Ke) Rafitoson, Vice Chair of Transparency International and Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Budget.\n\nThe main challenge in Gretta Fenner’s closing words, referring to the theme of this year’s [conference report “Lose-Lose](https:\u002F\u002Fsecurityconference.org\u002Fpublikationen\u002Fmunich-security-report-2024\u002F)”:\n\n> _“If we do not understand, acknowledge and then act accordingly in relation to the critical role of corruption undermining everything to do with stability, global governance and international law, we will have a lose-lose situation. And we cannot allow that to happen.”_\n\n### Beyond classical corruption\n\nThe Munich Security Conference's decision to include corruption as a “spotlight” in the conference programme, together with other non-traditional security topics such as sexual violence, climate finance and mineral supply chains, was highly welcome. It coincides with a rise in recognition and concern over strategic or \"weaponised\" corruption as a threat to national, regional and global security and peace.\n\nAs Fenner emphasised at the outset, corruption even in the narrow sense of bribery must be of great concern to the defence and security community. When kickbacks or other bribery schemes lead to the purchase of the wrong military equipment, to the construction of substandard infrastructure, or to half the ordered ammunition missing, it has direct and potentially deadly consequences.\n\nWhat we must also talk about more is the use of corruption for longer-term (geo) strategic goals. In other words, when corruption is used as an instrument – indeed a weapon – of power and influence at home and abroad. And when, as a consequence, it completely evades and thereby undermines global governance and international law.\n\nThe result, in the words of Ke Rafitoson, is _“an escalation of violence and conflicts around the world.”_ Corruption has long been seen as a _“soft governance”_ issue, she said, but now: \n\n> _“We have to recognise that corruption has become a global threat.”_\n\n### Vicious cycle: state capture and transnational organised crime\n\nTake just about any case of state capture – when power is consolidated in the hands of a few elites, who misuse state institutions to serve their own narrow purposes – and you can trace how [corruption is wielded as a highly functional tool](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-strategic-corruption-fuels-insecurity-affecting-power) to gain and preserve power and influence.\n\nThat pattern is clearly visible in Guatemala, where President Arévalo’s recent election success owes much to popular unrest over corruption and to his personal anti-corruption campaigning. Corruption has penetrated every arm of the state over the last 20 years, he explained. Money stolen through corruption is used to empower criminal elites, who then further capture the political system in order to extract more rents – and on it goes in a vicious circle.\n\nThat has serious implications on peace and stability far beyond Guatemala as it emboldens and empowers transnational organised crime, he said, including the trafficking of drugs, humans and wildlife.\n\n> _“When you have corrupt officials, they are quite open to the type of big-money incentives that transnational organised crime can put on the table. On the other hand, transnational organised crime is interested in pushing politicians into office.”_\n\nIn the end, you find the entire governance of countries is in the hands of corrupt actors and of criminal groups. Driven by the transnational nature of organised crime, this can quickly lead to entire regions descending into a vicious circle of illegitimate governance and crime, and eventually into ever greater instability and violence.\n\n### Control over critical sectors\n\nMuch concern over strategic uses of corruption for geopolitical purposes also centres on foreign states gaining influence over sectors that are critical for sovereignty, security and stability, such as energy, water and minerals. Historical links and geographical proximity to kleptocratic states increase a country’s vulnerability.\n\nBulgaria has recently struggled with exactly that phenomenon. Noting parallels with Guatemala’s experience of state capture and organised crime, Prime Minister Denkov emphasised that corruption was not just used as a way for individuals to make money for narrow personal gain:\n\n> _“Along with classical corruption schemes, you have another type of corruption at a huge scale that affects all aspects of our lives.”_\n\nRussia-related energy deals in Bulgaria have wasted more than a billion euros, Denkov said, and resulted in little except total energy dependence on the aggressive autocratic Russian regime. It is clearly a security concern when corrupt deals result in a foreign state gaining power over critical sectors such as energy – not least when they involve sensitive installations such as nuclear power plants.\n\nOn the positive side, an anti-corruption focus is leading Bulgaria towards a much brighter future, not only in terms of its energy independence but also more broadly in terms of the quality of its governance, of rule of law and of its role in protecting the Euro-Atlantic alliance. In the last two years, with parties in government who subscribe to the fight against corruption, the country has succeeded in removing oil and gas dependence with strategic and transparent energy arrangements. It is also working persistently towards freeing other sectors from state capture.\n\nBulgaria’s example shows how political commitments to transparency, participation and anti-corruption can help countries loosen the grip of corrupt states on sectors critical to their security.\n\n### How anti-corruption and security communities can join forces\n\nAnti-corruption and defence\u002Fsecurity communities often work in bubbles, but closer collaboration could bring benefits to both sides.\n\n#### Anti-corruption tools and knowledge\n\nDespite legitimate concerns about foreign power and influence through corruption, it’s not helpful to see corruption purely as a foreign threat. Many countries need to do more to prevent corruption and illicit financial flows _domestically,_ since these ultimately threaten both their own and global security.\n\nTried and tested anti-corruption tools are essential to get one’s own house in order. Senator Whitehouse gave a powerful description of how the U.S. introduced a series of anti-corruption reforms following the realisation that:\n\n> _“We were the problem. The greatest location for hiding corruptly obtained assets was the United States of America. So we began to take that apart.”_\n\nApart from basic transparency measures like beneficial ownership registers, priorities for many states should include cracking down on enablers such as unscrupulous lawyers and accountants. These are often based in high-income jurisdictions but are key to [enabling corruption in other countries](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.transparency.org\u002Fen\u002Fpublications\u002Floophole-masters).\n\nSenator Whitehouse also testified to the usefulness of working with civil society in devising and implementing the anti-corruption reforms.\n\nLikewise, in general security policy making could benefit greatly from the knowledge and analysis of specialist anti-corruption organisations whose understanding of connections between corruption and security, and related data, facts and [reports](https:\u002F\u002Fti-defence.org\u002F), can support security-related decision making.\n\n#### Embedding anti-corruption across the functions of state\n\nBeyond applying tools in specific areas, panellists concluded that states need to embed anti-corruption as a strategic priority across all aspects of security in its widest sense – from procurement to peace building to the development of strong and independent institutions.\n\nThe [U.S. designation of corruption as a core national security issue](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.whitehouse.gov\u002Fbriefing-room\u002Fpresidential-actions\u002F2021\u002F06\u002F03\u002Fmemorandum-on-establishing-the-fight-against-corruption-as-a-core-united-states-national-security-interest\u002F) has helped to _“put corruption higher up the agenda,”_ said Senator Whitehouse. This is vital because, as President Arévalo also emphasised:\n\n> _“We were used to corruption being a problem of bad administration…. Now we are seeing political criminal cliques organising to take control of state institutions in order to make them work for corruption. This is a fundamental threat to the viability of democratic states. It is beyond a threat to the security establishment.”_\n\nUkraine’s experience also shows that anti-corruption needs to be elevated as a core and state-wide security issue. Reacting to the panel discussion, Ukrainian anti-corruption activist Hanna Hopko explained that while Ukraine has made significant progress on fighting corruption since the 2014 Maidan Revolution, the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia has propelled corruption to the top of the country’s priorities:\n\n> _“Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has redefined the struggle against corruption. In the past, we considered the fight against corruption to be about… eliminating kickbacks, \\[money laundering in\\] offshore jurisdictions, vanity construction projects… \\[Now\\] it is crystal clear that without strong institutions, producing strong policies and implementing them, anti-corruption means nothing.”_\n\nIn other words, Ukraine can only win this war if it wins the war against corruption and builds strong, independent institutions resilient to external attempts to corrupt and control them.\n\n### A tough fight ahead\n\nGuatemala and Bulgaria are just two countries facing a tough fight ahead to dismantle corrupt systems and create a well-governed state that works for the people. Legal reforms are important but not sufficient, stressed Denkov.\n\n> _“You have to have the people. It is not only the leaders. In every position you have to have a person who is willing to fight every day.”_\n\nThose people will need a lot of energy, said Senator Whitehouse:\n\n> _“For the corruption machine, maintaining corruption is life or death. You take away their corruption, there goes their money, there goes their power, their limousines, there goes everything. So they fight to defend it with determination…. The energy and persistence and determination of the corrupt needs to be matched by similar energy, persistence and determination of those trying to root out corruption.”_\n\nAnd that energy can only come from the recognition that corruption is, according to _“is no longer \\[just\\] a nuisance. It is a direct political threat,”_ according to President Arévalo.\n\n> “_Until we do not recognise that, we are not going to really be able to muster the energy, imagination and commitment at the international level to fight corruption effectively.”_\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   See the [full recording](https:\u002F\u002Fsecurityconference.org\u002Fmsc-2024\u002Fagenda\u002Fevent\u002Fspotlight-corruption\u002F) on the Munich Security Conference website.\n*   See related articles on [corruption and peace building](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Ffighting-corruption-promote-peace-and-security-basel-peace-forum-2024) and on [how corruption fuels insecurity by affecting power](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-strategic-corruption-fuels-insecurity-affecting-power).","2024-02-21","the-changing-face-of-corruption-and-security-munich-security-conference-2024-2588","The changing face of corruption and security: Munich Security Conference 2024","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F206ae2d8-12c3-44d3-a203-8fdd1171bdde?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[131,132,133],7132,7133,7134,[14],[104,106],[137],{"tags_id":138},{"id":139,"name":140},1376,"Defence and security",2588,[],[104,106],[],[],[24],[],"2024-02-21T11:01:31.000Z","2025-08-31T23:14:40.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fthe-changing-face-of-corruption-and-security-munich-security-conference-2024-2588",{"id":153,"body":154,"status":6,"type":93,"date":155,"slug":156,"title":157,"image":158,"countries":159,"topic":160,"activity":162,"tags":163,"nid":192,"topics":193,"activities":194,"authors":195,"images":198,"websites":199,"area":200,"programme":202,"language":203,"translations":204,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":205,"user_updated":86,"date_updated":206,"content":207,"link":208},10539,"Juhani Grossmann and Amanda Cabrejo le Roux explain the strategic re-focusing of our Green Corruption programme on energy and climate:\n\n### What is “green” corruption and why does it matter?\n\nGreen corruption refers to corruption and other financial crimes and governance failures that harm the environment and hinder global efforts to combat climate change.\n\nIt’s the reason crimes such as illicit deforestation, mining and wildlife trade continue to be multimillion-dollar illegal industries making organised criminals rich at the expense of our planet and the livelihoods of local communities. Green corruption also diverts crucial investments intended for renewable energy and other climate-related projects.\n\nAdapting to humanity’s changing energy needs in a just and sustainable manner are challenging enough. We cannot afford to let corruption undermine these generational challenges.\n\n### What are some key achievements of the programme so far?\n\nWe are proud that since its launch in 2018, the Green Corruption programme has contributed to significant strides in tackling corruption affecting the environment.\n\nOur programme started with an enforcement focus: applying “follow the money” approaches to environmental crimes like illegal wildlife trade and illegal logging. In practice, that means mentoring and training law enforcement officers of national partner agencies to investigate financial transactions that fuel environmental crimes, including between criminal groups and corrupt facilitators. And ideally, to seize and confiscate illicit profits or assets used in the crimes.\n\nThat’s the only way to get beyond the low-level perpetrators – such as poachers – to the high-level facilitators and organised crime networks. And the only way to take the profit out of the crime, reducing the incentives to engage in it.\n\nAt the end of 2024, assets worth around CHF 29.6 million were being targeted in 56 cases directly supported by our advisors. We had quite a few “firsts” – like Uganda’s first ever indictment for tax evasion and money laundering against a wildlife trafficking syndicate, Malawi’s first ever corruption cases related to natural resource crimes, Peru’s confiscation of over CHF 3 million in assets related to forestry and gold trafficking, and Indonesia’s first ever conviction on money laundering in relation to an illegal logging case.\n\nBehind the headlines lie many more positive steps towards changing mindsets and the priorities of law enforcement agencies to go after the finances of environmental criminals.\n\nOur prevention work rapidly grew as we and our partners realised the chronic under-investment in building systems that strengthen resilience to corruption in the environmental sector.\n\nGovernment agencies and state-owned enterprises in countries as diverse as Indonesia, Malawi, Ukraine and Bolivia have now begun to systematically assess and address corruption risks that are affecting their ability to carry out their important functions of protecting the environment and natural resources. Our prevention specialists supported these in applying our bespoke [methodology](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fguide-conducting-corruption-risk-assessments-wildlife-law-enforcement-context) of assessing and prioritising corruption risks and implementing targeted mitigation measures. We developed a customised internal controls maturity assessment tool to reflect the historic lack of investment in this space, which meant that mainstream assessment tools were insufficiently granular at the first stage of maturity to reflect nuances and chart paths to growth.\n\nAs result of our partnerships, mitigation measures have been institutionalised in many agencies – for example:\n\n*   in Malawi through the creation of Internal Integrity Committees in environmental agencies;\n*   in Ukraine through the empowerment of anti-corruption officers to participate in key decision-making processes;\n*   in Ecuador by reducing unsupervised discretion in environmental inspections;\n*   in Indonesia in the adoption of conflict of interest regulations in the management of timber sales; and\n*   in Peru through the automation and digitalisation of numerous permitting and licensing processes related to the wood value chain.\n\nAlso pleasing to see are the many collaborations and partnerships that have sprung from our work. In Latin America, for example, forestry officials in [Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fprotecting-forests-through-corruption-prevention-videos-promising-initiatives-bolivia-ecuador) are now collaborating on protecting the Amazon rainforest through corruption prevention.\n\nStill, targeting and preventing corruption tends to be a lonely effort. So, we have established the [Countering Environmental Corruption Practitioners Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fenvironmental-corruption.org\u002F) together with WWF, TRAFFIC and Transparency International as a support network, and it has now grown to over 800 members and four working groups. There are frequent meetings and collaborations between practitioners dedicated to tackling corruption and improving governance, and those specialised in environmental conservation or climate initiatives.\n\nIt’s a sign there’s much appetite and energy for action against green corruption!\n\n### Why is now the time to focus on the energy transition?\n\nWhatever happens in these volatile times, one thing is certain: we’ll continue to see growing demands for energy transition and climate mitigation and adaptation.\n\nThe urgency of tackling the energy transition, and the rapid increase in investments from both the public and private sectors, leaves the door wide open to criminals and the corrupt seeking to profit at the expense of investors and donors – as well as the planet.\n\nA clear example in this space is the growing geopolitical centrality of critical minerals and rare earths. The rapid rise in demand has been accompanied by particularly fragile governance structures, intense political and economic subsidies, and even warfare. Our experience shows that these are all breeding grounds for corruption. We are therefore prioritising efforts to analyse and mitigate corruption risks in this space in Bolivia, Indonesia and Ukraine.\n\nEnsuring that the energy transition is safeguarded from corruption is essential for achieving net-zero goals. As outlined in our Working Paper on [good governance and the just transition](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fwp-53), corrupt practices can jeopardise renewable energy investments and hinder the development of clean energy infrastructure.\n\nRapidly emerging market-based solutions to stimulate responsible behaviour, such as carbon offsets, are also affected by weak governance systems and opportunities for corruption. The fast-evolving and highly technical nature of these activities only increases this risk.\n\nCorruption risks similarly threaten the effectiveness of climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. If funds are embezzled, used fraudulently or diverted to benefit powerful elites, that’s bad for donors and investors. And it’s bad for local communities, many of which are also directly affected by climate change.\n\nOn the other hand, there are opportunities. Using corruption risk management tools and enhancing enforcement capabilities can help companies and governments to create thriving, profitable supply chains of critical minerals needed for renewable energy facilities, electric vehicles and the like.\n\n### What does this shift in priorities mean in practice?\n\nThrough our Green Corruption programme, we are adapting to this evolving landscape by sharpening our focus on transition minerals and the renewable energy sector.\n\nWe will continue our dual approach of prevention and enforcement, working closely with long-standing partners in Ukraine, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malawi, Uganda, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.\n\nSome things you might see us doing in the next years:\n\n*   Strengthening transparency and anti-corruption measures in the extraction and trade of lithium, nickel, germanium and other minerals and rare earths essential for the energy transition.\n*   Customising financial investigation and asset recovery tools to the specifics of the energy transition.\n*   Working with governments, financial institutions and civil society to safeguard energy transition and climate mitigation funds from corruption, fraud and related crimes.\n\nWe will continue full force our ongoing engagement related to metals (gold in particular) and the forestry sector, which remain highly strategic.\n\nIn other areas, such as illegal wildlife trade, fisheries and waste, we will be more discerning, carefully assessing the potential of engagements prior to pursuing them.\n\n### What impact do we hope to achieve?\n\nBy applying our expertise to emerging climate and energy challenges, we want to contribute to measurable improvements in the energy transition, environmental conservation, climate change mitigation and equitable economic development.\n\nThrough these efforts, our Green Corruption programme will continue to play a vital role in ensuring that the green transition is not only sustainable but also just, transparent and a win-win for all: businesses, local communities and society at large – as well as our planet.","2025-03-11","how-tackling-green-corruption-can-help-us-get-ahead-in-the-race-to-net-zero-2781","How tackling green corruption can help us get ahead in the race to net zero","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fb5fea614-8c8e-4097-ab4a-ac6687334577?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[161],"Green Corruption",[105],[164,168,172,176,180,184,188],{"tags_id":165},{"id":166,"name":167},843,"Asset recovery",{"tags_id":169},{"id":170,"name":171},1303,"Environment",{"tags_id":173},{"id":174,"name":175},804,"Natural resources",{"tags_id":177},{"id":178,"name":179},1374,"Law enforcement",{"tags_id":181},{"id":182,"name":183},1373,"Corruption prevention",{"tags_id":185},{"id":186,"name":187},859,"Corruption risks",{"tags_id":189},{"id":190,"name":191},1193,"Financial investigations",2781,[161],[105],[196,197],1086,1087,[],[24],[201],"Anti-Corruption & Prevention",[161],"English",[],"2025-03-11T11:01:35.000Z","2025-08-31T23:12:02.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fhow-tackling-green-corruption-can-help-us-get-ahead-in-the-race-to-net-zero-2781",{"id":210,"body":211,"status":6,"type":10,"date":212,"slug":213,"title":214,"image":215,"countries":216,"topic":217,"activity":220,"tags":221,"nid":222,"topics":223,"activities":224,"authors":225,"images":226,"websites":227,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":22,"translations":228,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":229,"user_updated":41,"date_updated":230,"content":231,"link":232},10370,"The Wolfsberg Group’s recent updates to its renowned [Anti-Bribery and Corruption Programme Guidance](https:\u002F\u002Fwb-db.basel.institute\u002Fassets\u002F2b55cd0e-b47f-482a-ae28-fe390ab516ef\u002FWolfsberg%20ABC%20Guidance.pdf) for financial institutions has made quite some waves.\n\nIn part, the interest is due to the practical value of the Guidance for financial institutions seeking to comply with anti-corruption legislation and mitigate risks of bribery and corruption throughout their operations. It is also due to the reputation of the [Wolfsberg Group](https:\u002F\u002Fwolfsberg-group.org\u002F), a long-standing association of 13 global banks that develops frameworks and guidance to manage financial crime risks, and one of the world’s most successful [Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F) initiatives.\n\nThe various updates to the Guidance over nearly 20 years track important evolutions in the field of anti-corruption compliance in the financial industry.\n\nFor instance, the 2023 Guidance expands its scope to cover all forms of corruption (not just bribery) in line with current international standards, and extends its guidance on non-monetary or quasi-monetary corruption risks such as gifts and hospitality, donations and employment opportunities.\n\nThe Guidance also emphasises the role of senior leadership in making a strong anti-corruption commitment, moving towards the idea of compliance as a way to embed values and integrity throughout an organisation.\n\n### At the forefront of evolutions in anti-corruption compliance\n\nWe were pleased to contribute to the consultation process through our [Private Sector](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fprivate-sector) team. Our former Head of Compliance and now Senior Advisor, Gemma Aiolfi, worked on the original version and has been involved in all subsequent updates since then.\n\nAs Gemma explained in this [interview](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fevolutions-anti-corruption-compliance-hope-future), financial institutions were one of the sectors that pioneered compliance due to their need to mitigate financial crime risks, including the laundering of proceeds of corruption in transactions. Following the realisation that staff or intermediaries working for the bank also posed corruption risks – bribes to win government business or high net-worth clients, for instance – anti-corruption programmes extended to cover these risks too. Gemma Aiolfi said:\n\n> Financial institutions still face that dual challenge compared to non-financial firms: complying with ever-higher regulations and expectations to identity and report suspicious transactions and clients, while also ensuring their own staff and intermediaries act with integrity in their everyday business.\n\n### New Wolfsberg Group website\n\nThe new Anti-Bribery and Corruption Programme Guidance and the [Executive Summary](https:\u002F\u002Fwb-db.basel.institute\u002Fassets\u002F61f0b4b9-7b91-4fda-9c45-fb14c005bcfd\u002FWolfsberg%20ABC%20Guidance%20Executive%20Summary.pdf) are available on the [Wolfsberg Group’s brand new website](https:\u002F\u002Fwolfsberg-group.org\u002F), developed by our IT team together with colleagues in the Wolfsberg Group Secretariat.\n\nThe new user-friendly website is part of efforts to make the Wolfsberg Group’s practical guidance and standards documents, training materials, comment letters and FAQs accessible to as many financial crime compliance practitioners as possible. An increasing number of publications are now available in several languages.\n\nThe development marks another upwards step in the Wolfsberg Group’s journey, following its establishment as a legal entity in 2021. Read more about that journey in this [interview](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fcollective-action-banking-wolfsberg-groups-role-fast-evolving-industry) with the Group’s Executive Secretary Alan Ketley.","2023-06-05","wolfsberg-group-on-the-rise-new-anti-corruption-guidance-and-website-2459","Wolfsberg Group on the rise: new anti-corruption guidance and website","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F6b10ab8f-3435-417d-8f8a-0c1dd451c2c9?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[218,219,75],"Anti-Money Laundering","Collective Action",[14],[],2459,[218,219,75],[],[],[],[24,219],[],"2023-06-05T10:01:27.000Z","2026-05-08T21:11:08.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fwolfsberg-group-on-the-rise-new-anti-corruption-guidance-and-website-2459",{"id":234,"body":235,"status":6,"type":10,"date":236,"slug":237,"title":238,"image":239,"countries":240,"topic":241,"activity":242,"tags":244,"nid":245,"topics":246,"activities":247,"authors":248,"images":249,"websites":250,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":22,"translations":251,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":252,"user_updated":119,"date_updated":253,"content":254,"link":255},10096,"The Basel Institute on Governance in partnership with the two Romanian not-for-profit organisations RISE Project and the Journalism Development Network (JDN)’s Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) hosted a third training workshop on Financial Investigations and Asset Recovery – “Follow the money” – on 28–29 April 2016 in Basel, Switzerland. The workshop was organised in the context of a three-year initiative on \"Mapping and Visualising Cross-Border Crime” launched in October 2014 and funded by the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme. The first two workshops had taken place in Bucharest, Romania, in the course of 2015.\n\nThe April workshop in Basel was attended by a total of 20 participants and presenters including investigative journalists, a law enforcement officer, the President of the Swiss Chapter of Transparency International, a Ph.D. student (International Law), diplomatic staff of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs’ Sectoral Foreign Policies Division (Economic and Financial Issues Section) as well as staff of the Basel Institute.\n\nJDN experts presented the Network’s research platform “[Investigative Dashboard](https:\u002F\u002Finvestigativedashboard.org\u002F)” and online data visualisation platform “[Visual Investigative Scenarios](https:\u002F\u002Fvis.occrp.org\u002F)”, while ICAR experts introduced participants to the [Basel AML Index](https:\u002F\u002Findex.baselgovernance.org\u002F), an annual ranking assessing country risk regarding money laundering\u002Fterrorism financing.\n\nParticipants were also acquainted with financial investigative techniques. A presentation on the use of offshore structures to conceal beneficial ownership led to interesting discussions, particularly in the wake of the Panama Papers. Another presentation was given on the virtual currency Bitcoin, creating awareness regarding its potential for laundering the proceeds of crime.\n\nOne of the practical exercises required participants to put themselves in the position of the money launderer and to develop a scenario from a basic set of facts that would allow them to bring the proceeds of the crime into Switzerland. This enhanced their understanding of mechanisms often used by criminals for personal benefit.","2016-05-11","icar-conducts-third-training-workshop-in-conjunction-with-jdn-and-rise-project-288","ICAR conducts third training workshop in conjunction with JDN and Rise Project","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fae808bd1-bf3a-412c-9f77-0eefda32dd12?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[102],[243,17],"Training",[],288,[110],[243,17],[],[],[24],[],"2022-05-26T22:58:53.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:12.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Ficar-conducts-third-training-workshop-in-conjunction-with-jdn-and-rise-project-288",{"id":257,"body":258,"status":6,"type":10,"date":259,"slug":260,"title":261,"image":262,"countries":263,"topic":265,"activity":266,"tags":267,"nid":268,"topics":269,"activities":270,"authors":271,"images":272,"websites":273,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":22,"translations":274,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":275,"user_updated":119,"date_updated":276,"content":277,"link":278},10137,"Within the context of the three-year initiative on \"Mapping and Visualising Cross-Border Crime” funded by the Swiss-Romanian Co-operation Program which was launched in 2014, experts from the ICAR conducted the second training workshop in Bucharest during 30 September – 1 October 2015. The workshop was once again conducted in partnership with two Romanian non-profit organisations, the Journalism Development Network (JDN) and the Rise Project.\n\nThe training workshop covered a variety of topics such as an introduction to ICAR’s existing tools that support investigative processes, JDN’s research platform “Investigative Dashboard” and online data visualisation platform “Visual Investigation Scenarios”, and financial investigative techniques. It also dealt with the use of offshore structures to conceal beneficial ownership, and the virtual currency, Bitcoin, to launder the proceeds of crime. One of the practical exercises required participants to put themselves in the position of the money launderer and to develop a scenario from a basic set of facts which would allow them to bring the proceeds of the crime into Romania. This enhanced their understanding of mechanisms often used by criminals for personal benefit.\n\nIt was attended by a total of 45 presenters and participants, including investigative journalists, law enforcement officers and bankers (compliance officers), a judge from the Court of Appeal, officers\u002Frepresentatives from the Directorate for Investigation of Organised Crime and Terrorist Offences, National Anti-Corruption Directorate, National Agency on Fiscal Administration, General Inspectorate of the Police (Financing of Terrorism and Money Laundering), Ministry of Justice, due diligence companies (private sector), a representative from the Defence Committee in the Romanian Senate.\n\nThomas Stauffer, Head of the Swiss Contribution Office of the Embassy of Switzerland in Romania, attended the workshop closure, emphasising in his closing remarks the contribution Switzerland makes towards EU efforts to reduce the disparities between EU countries through projects of this nature.","2015-10-02","follow-up-financial-investigative-techniques-workshop-within-the-3-year-initiative-on-quotmapping-and-visualising-cross-border-crimequot-in-partnership-with-jdn-and-the-rise-project-314","Follow-up financial investigative techniques workshop within the 3-year initiative on \"Mapping and Visualising Cross-Border Crime\" in partnership with JDN and the Rise Project","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F1e2ea663-e5e1-434e-b50b-27df17ef2c82?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[264],7686,[102],[243],[],314,[110],[243],[],[],[24],[],"2022-05-26T22:59:08.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:14.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Ffollow-up-financial-investigative-techniques-workshop-within-the-3-year-initiative-on-quotmapping-and-visualising-cross-border-crimequot-in-partnership-with-jdn-and-the-rise-project-314",{"id":280,"body":281,"status":6,"type":10,"date":282,"slug":283,"title":284,"image":285,"countries":286,"topic":287,"activity":288,"tags":289,"nid":290,"topics":291,"activities":292,"authors":293,"images":294,"websites":295,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":22,"translations":296,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":297,"user_updated":119,"date_updated":298,"content":299,"link":300},10113,"The Basel Institute on Governance, [RISE Project](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.riseproject.ro\u002F) and the [Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.occrp.org\u002F) (OCCRP) are hosting a training workshop on Financial Investigations and Asset Recovery – “Follow the money”.\n\nThe workshop is organised jointly by experts from the Basel Institute’s International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) and the Journalism Development Network (JDN) in the context of a three-year initiative on \"Mapping and Visualising Cross-Border Crime” funded by the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Program.\n\nThe joint training workshop, targeting participants from public sector law enforcement and investigative nonstate actors, will be held in Basel, Switzerland, on 28-29 April 2016 and conducted in English.\n\nFurther details about the workshop and the application process are available in the [workshop document](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2019-01\u002Ffinancial_investigation_workshop_28-29april2016.pdf).","2016-02-02","call-for-applications-workshop-on-financial-investigations-and-asset-recovery-follow-the-money-299","Call for applications: Workshop on Financial Investigations and Asset Recovery - “Follow the money”","\u002Fpics\u002Fimg-placeholder.png",[],[102],[243],[],299,[110],[243],[],[],[24],[],"2022-05-26T22:58:59.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:13.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fcall-for-applications-workshop-on-financial-investigations-and-asset-recovery-follow-the-money-299",{"id":302,"body":303,"status":6,"type":93,"date":304,"slug":305,"title":306,"image":307,"countries":308,"topic":310,"activity":313,"tags":314,"nid":315,"topics":316,"activities":318,"authors":319,"images":322,"websites":22,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":203,"translations":323,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":324,"user_updated":119,"date_updated":325,"content":326,"link":327},10562,"Amid geopolitical turbulence and concerns around the rise of authoritarianism and armed conflict, many people are looking at how corruption can be used “strategically” to deliberately undermine democratic institutions.\n\nThe so-called [strategic use of corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fqg37) is not new. It’s often portrayed simplistically as a kind of Western movie with good guys vs. bad guys, victims vs. aggressors. The picture is, of course, more complicated than that.\n\nIn a [recent article for the _Public Integrity_ journal](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fwhen-you-have-corrupt-friends-abroad-impact-strategic-corruption-sudans-democratic), we explore this phenomenon from the perspective of a country where strategic corruption was arguably linked to the collapse of a fledging democracy: Sudan.\n\nIn 2019, the civilian-military government of Sudan led by Prime Minister Hamdok began an ambitious transition to democratic governance and the adoption of anti-corruption reforms. This transition ended in 2023 with state collapse and conflict. The story is a lesson on the complexity of corruption and on how closely anti-corruption efforts, democratic processes and security are linked.\n\n### Growth of foreign-supported power centres\n\nThe article tells the story of the governance system that emerged during the military-political rule of former President al-Bashir. At the time, there were powerful groups within the military, and coups were a frequent occurrence. A savvy solution was needed to address this.\n\nIn order to appease these powerful military actors, including the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), al-Bashir’s regime provided opportunities for them to expand their economic and business interests while politically keeping them under his direct control.\n\nLeveraging the country's rich natural resources became a means of maintaining political and economic power.\n\n### Geopolitical significance\n\nSudan’s geopolitical position is a critical part of the story. The Red Sea is a key trading route. Russia and states in the Gulf region developed engagements with these powerful military actors. They exchanged money and other support for access to Sudan's natural resources and strategic geographic locations.\n\nCorruption practices involved preferential investments and concessions in specific economic sectors such as mining and agriculture. There is also evidence of illicit financial flows associated with the gold trade, as well as the provision of financial resources and arms to non-state military actors. These deals served the geopolitical and domestic interests of both sides.\n\nOne example from the article is that in 2017, al-Bashir sought Russia’s support in response to increasing internal political and economic pressures, as well as external pressures exerted by the West. Moscow offered a partnership with Sudan, including political support, arms and military training by private military contractors, who were deployed to Sudan immediately.\n\nIn exchange, Russia gained access to a strategic commercial corridor in the Red Sea and preferential gold mining contracts.\n\nNevertheless, the situation remained turbulent domestically and culminated in the popular uprising of 2018–2019. Al-Bashir was ousted from office. A Transitional Military Council, which involved both the SAF and RSF, was formed to lead the country until the handover to a civilian-military-led government in August 2019.\n\n### Democratic transition undermined\n\nWith the civilian-military-led government at the helm of political power, a bold transition to democracy began, with positive signs of strengthening the fight against corruption emerging.\n\nHowever, the aforementioned networks were directly impacted by Sudan’s democratic model and its citizens' aspirations. The networks and their leaders did not simply disappear with al-Bashir's removal. Behind the scenes, they were carefully orchestrating their next moves.\n\nDespite the reforms, during the transition period these military-business networks expanded even further. They leveraged the support of external actors and developed their economic investments with the twin goal of undermining reforms and maintaining dominance over the national economy.\n\nThese actors became active antagonists of the democratic and anti-corruption reform process. After the course of reform went into reverse, armed conflict erupted once again in April 2023.\n\n### A deeper understanding of corruption and democracy\n\nWhat happened in Sudan highlights this link between geopolitical objectives, corruption and the impact on democracy. It also challenges narratives that see strategic corruption simply as a tool wielded by foreign actors to undermine democracies.\n\nInstead, we must deepen our understanding of how domestic environments can create the conditions for strategic corruption.\n\nIn Sudan, the revolution and the planned transition to democracy posed a threat to the individuals and networks benefiting from the status quo. This triggered them to use corruption and the help of external actors to undermine the process.\n\n### Promoting anti-corruption work = promoting security\n\nThe case of Sudan, like that of other countries undergoing democratic transitions, highlights the importance of supporting reforms that seek to strengthen democracy and counter corruption. Otherwise, the reform process risks being derailed, with horrific consequences for populations as well as instability in the wider region.\n\nThe paradox of our time is that, amid current geopolitical shifts, development assistance and support for anti-corruption reform are under pressure while security and defence are prioritised.\n\nWhat happened in Sudan shows that this logic is a fallacy. Systemic corruption drives insecurity and instability. We cannot achieve security without fighting corruption and vice versa.\n\nThis trend is even more concerning as the fragmentation of the rules-based international order creates an environment conducive to strategic forms of corruption.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   View the article in the Public Integrity journal: Karar, H., & Kassa, S. (2025). [When You Have Corrupt Friends Abroad: The Impact of Strategic Corruption on Sudan’s Democratic Collapse](https:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.1080\u002F10999922.2025.2494910). Public Integrity, 1–14.\n*   See the Basel Institute’s [Quick Guide to Strategic Corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fqg37).","2025-07-01","strategic-corruption-democracy-and-security-in-sudan-2823","Strategic corruption, democracy and security in Sudan","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F46e594b4-dcfd-430d-9d02-adb3b0a6e556?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[309],7782,[311,312],"Prevention"," Research and Innovation",[105],[],2823,[317],"Prevention Research and Innovation",[105],[320,321],1344,1345,[],[],"2025-07-13T11:42:46.000Z","2026-05-07T21:29:57.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fstrategic-corruption-democracy-and-security-in-sudan-2823",{"left":329,"top":329,"width":330,"height":330,"rotate":329,"vFlip":331,"hFlip":331,"body":332},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>",1780676469556]