[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":317},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-translating-research-into-anti-corruption-policies-in-malawi-16":3,"news-translating-research-into-anti-corruption-policies-in-malawi-16-similar":39,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":312},[4],{"id":5,"status":6,"date_created":7,"date_updated":8,"title":9,"type":10,"body":11,"date":12,"topic":13,"slug":14,"activity":15,"nid":16,"topics":17,"activities":18,"programme":19,"area":19,"websites":20,"language":19,"image":22,"translation_of":19,"countries":33,"tags":34,"authors":35,"images":36,"translations":37,"content":38},9927,"published","2022-05-26T22:57:32.000Z","2025-08-31T23:14:59.000Z","Translating research into anti-corruption policies in Malawi","","Dr Claudia Baez Camargo and Cosimo Stahl of the Basel Institute’s [Public Governance division](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Ftheme\u002Fpublic_governance) delivered a five-day training workshop to Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Lake Malawi in October 2018. The interactive workshop was part of the Basel Institute’s ongoing assistance to Malawi via the Tackling Serious and Organised Corruption (TSOC) programme funded by the UK Department for International Development.\n\nThe “Corruption Research Methods and Anti-Corruption Practice” workshop was specifically customised to the ACB Corruption Prevention and Public Education divisions and their mandate. Based on a preliminary needs assessment, the workshop was targeted at two specific TSOC programme objectives: strengthening the ACB’s research capacity and translating empirical research into actionable anti-corruption policies.\n\nThe novel format of this training workshop not only included presentations of prominent theories and concepts of corruption, but also an illustrative discussion of corruption-specific data collection techniques and research methods.\n\nGroup exercises and presentations were conducted after participants had analysed hypothetical risk scenarios and corruption causes that would fit the Malawian context in the real world. The purpose was to gain a thoroughly contextualised understanding of the root causes of corruption. This deeper understanding would then critically inform the design and logic of innovative and more effective anti-corruption policy interventions.","2018-11-01",[10],"translating-research-into-anti-corruption-policies-in-malawi-16",[10],16,[],[],null,[21],"Main page",{"id":23,"storage":24,"filename_disk":25,"filename_download":26,"title":9,"type":27,"created_on":28,"modified_on":28,"charset":19,"filesize":29,"width":30,"height":31,"duration":19,"embed":19,"description":19,"location":19,"tags":19,"metadata":32,"focal_point_x":19,"focal_point_y":19,"tus_id":19,"tus_data":19,"uploaded_on":28},"78f56be6-146b-4e1d-a46e-b755858eecf5","local","78f56be6-146b-4e1d-a46e-b755858eecf5.webp","tmp.webp","image\u002Fwebp","2025-05-12T21:23:30.000Z",61980,1400,698,{},[],[],[],[],[],[],[40,93,117,158,184,211,237,261,281],{"id":41,"body":42,"status":6,"type":43,"date":44,"slug":45,"title":46,"image":47,"countries":48,"topic":49,"activity":53,"tags":56,"nid":77,"topics":78,"activities":81,"authors":82,"images":83,"websites":84,"area":19,"programme":19,"language":85,"translations":86,"translation_of":19,"user_created":87,"date_created":88,"user_updated":89,"date_updated":90,"content":91,"link":92},10549,"As corruption becomes more sophisticated, anti-corruption training must keep pace. In a recent [webinar](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnode\u002F2775), experts from the Basel Institute shared insights on how technology has strengthened training efforts for law enforcement practitioners worldwide. They also explored exciting new applications of artificial intelligence (AI) to further enhance training and learning experiences.\n\nThis webinar was provided in support of the [FALCON project](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.falcon-horizon.eu\u002F)\\*, showcasing technological tools and best practices to aid the Fight Against Large-scale Corruption and Organised Crime Networks. As Jacopo Costa, Senior Specialist in Prevention, Research and Innovation, explained, one of FALCON’s key objectives is to explore how technology and AI solutions can be leveraged to innovate the fight against corruption.\n\n### eLearning: from passive reading to engaged learning\n\nPeter Huppertz, Head of IT and eLearning, offered a number of recommendations on how to make eLearning effective and efficient for learners. Central to his message was that the _delivery_ is as important as the _content_.\n\n> Too much online learning is passive and disconnected from practitioners’ real-life tasks and needs.\n\nThe Basel Institute’s [eLearning](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fbasel-learn) method is built around active participation – and technology is crucial to this learning method. Participants complete simulated investigations step by step on the [Basel LEARN](https:\u002F\u002Flearn.baselgovernance.org) platform. They must complete certain tasks correctly in order to progress to the next phase of investigation.\n\nPeter demonstrated these interactive features by taking webinar participants through a few steps of our popular [Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)](https:\u002F\u002Flearn.baselgovernance.org\u002Fcourse\u002Fview.php?id=79) course. His demonstration showed how the learning journey is supported by content taken from actual cases that expose participants to what they need to do in real life. By developing courses in collaboration with subject matter experts, we ensure that the materials reflect real investigative mechanisms rather than abstract theories.\n\nAt its best, eLearning offers remarkable flexibility and individualisation. Once a programme is developed it can be easily scaled up (Basel LEARN now reaches nearly 60,000 users). By employing open source software, the learning management system can be tailored to the specific needs of the training programme. This is especially useful when we deliver our custom-made in-person, in-country [training programmes](http:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery\u002Ftraining-programmes) for law enforcement and other anti-corruption practitioners.\n\n### Blended learning – the best of both worlds\n\nBlended learning – combining instructor-led, in-person training and self-paced eLearning – has become a cornerstone of our training programmes, which have seen more than 4000 participants in over 40 countries over 17 years.\n\nThese training programmes are targeted at government agencies in partner countries to help them develop their capacities on financial investigation and asset recovery. They have been designed to mirror the complexity of real investigations, where investigators search for evidence by analysing financial data and untangling complex legal structures, hidden ownership and cross-border flows.\n\nIn our trainings, participants investigate a corruption case, uncovering pieces of evidence by locating information and replicating the procedural and legal steps from their own jurisdictions. Thierry Ravalomanda, Head of ICAR Training, explained that this approach enhances participants’ sense of ownership and autonomy. These are critical motivation factors in adult learning.\n\nIn the past, these simulated investigations were paper-based. Now, with the Basel LEARN platform integrated into our face-to-face training, participants are able to immerse themselves into more realistic investigative environments. They are also able to continue to learn and practise their skills once the training ends.\n\nImportantly, the human aspect is still central in our trainings. They are delivered by experienced investigators, prosecutors and financial intelligence analysts who provide guidance as participants work their way through the investigative scenarios. Participants also always work in groups with the LEARN platform, fostering cross-agency collaboration. As Thierry noted:\n\n> “We need everyone – FIUs, prosecutors, judges and law enforcement – to speak the same language and understand the investigative process together”.\n\n### Taking blended learning a step further\n\nBlended learning will also be a key aspect of our [new postgraduate programmes](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fstudy), presented during the webinar by Jörg Schmidt, Senior Specialist, Continuing Education. Delivered in partnership with the University of Basel, the programmes combine academic foundations with new research and real-world practitioner experience.\n\nMuch of the degree courses will be delivered online, with hybrid introduction and conclusion sessions. Hence, the courses will draw on the Basel Institute’s extensive experience with eLearning and blended learning. They will employ technology to ensure that online modules are interactive, collaborative and closer to real-world experiences.\n\n### Expanding educational frontiers: the possibilities of AI\n\nAI is already being explored by the Basel Institute as a valuable enhancement for eLearning and on-site training.\n\nFor example, Peter demonstrated a new AI-generated witness interview course activity, which replaces the traditional written interview summary document. The activity allows training participants to actively engage with AI-prompted witnesses by posing questions and receiving realistic responses – a step closer to a real-life interview. As the technology improves, we will integrate this model in other training programmes, for example in our training on interviewing skills for financial investigators.\n\nApart from enhancing participant engagement, AI is also useful for creating training content and eLearning courses. It can assist in creating content such as quiz questions and translating trainings into different languages. It can also help with assessing participant performance, which provides valuable data on the effectiveness of our courses.\n\n### Technology-supported training enhances effectiveness\n\nBasel Institute eLearning courses and training programmes have demonstrated the effectiveness of digital tools in training anti-corruption professionals around the world. As technology becomes more powerful, it can help us to provide better training to tackle the increasingly complex and evolving landscape in which law enforcement and other anti-corruption practitioners work.\n\nClaudia Baez Camargo, Director of our Prevention, Research and Innovation team, who moderated the webinar, concluded the session with these words:\n\n> It shouldn't be about people just becoming lazy and using AI rather than doing their work. It is about making people more productive. It is about us being able to deliver more complex, more sophisticated tools that go with our training, that go with our teaching, that make the experience a lot more immersive and interesting than it would otherwise be.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Watch the webinar [recordings](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fplaylist?list=PLYRnhpCcnLP_sjdirwTJ6Y5gALYHZ8pMn).\n*   Read the FALCON policy brief “[Recommendations for leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the fight against corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.falcon-horizon.eu\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002Fsites\u002F6\u002F2025\u002F04\u002F2025_04_22-FALCON-policy-brief-02_Leveraging-AI-in-the-fight-against-coruption.pdf)”.\n\n\\*The FALCON project is funded by the EU HORIZON programme under grant agreement 101121281. The Basel Institute's participation is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).","Blog","2025-05-12","enhancing-law-enforcement-training-with-technology-and-ai-2807","Enhancing law enforcement training with technology and AI","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fb7a89535-6b18-431a-aaba-9d5ac700090a?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[50,51,52],"Asset Recovery","Prevention"," Research and Innovation",[54,55],"Events","Insights",[57,61,65,69,73],{"tags_id":58},{"id":59,"name":60},1289,"Artificial intelligence",{"tags_id":62},{"id":63,"name":64},1300,"Education",{"tags_id":66},{"id":67,"name":68},1372,"Training",{"tags_id":70},{"id":71,"name":72},1377,"Technology",{"tags_id":74},{"id":75,"name":76},1374,"Law enforcement",2807,[79,80],"Asset Recovery and Enforcement","Prevention Research and Innovation",[54,55],[],[],[21],"English",[],"03bebfd8-0b40-4a2a-820d-b9d9c13b9de6","2025-05-12T10:01:38.000Z","3d9ff205-1640-4f34-b5b6-86977f51bbd6","2026-05-29T22:22:36.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fenhancing-law-enforcement-training-with-technology-and-ai-2807",{"id":94,"body":95,"status":6,"type":43,"date":96,"slug":97,"title":98,"image":99,"countries":100,"topic":101,"activity":103,"tags":104,"nid":105,"topics":106,"activities":107,"authors":108,"images":110,"websites":111,"area":19,"programme":19,"language":19,"translations":112,"translation_of":19,"user_created":87,"date_created":113,"user_updated":89,"date_updated":114,"content":115,"link":116},9722,"Anti-corruption, transparency and freedom of information initiatives over the last decades have significantly boosted the value of open-source intelligence for both the private and public sectors. In this quick guide, Intelligence Analyst Manuel Medina explains what open-source intelligence is and explores some of the tricky questions it raises.\n\n### How OSINT fits into the intelligence cycle\n\nOpen-source intelligence, or OSINT as it is known in the intelligence community, is the systematic collection, processing and analysis of open-source information. This means information that is freely available to the general public, such as media articles, research reports or company records in an open business registry. As I explained in my previous [quick guide to intelligence](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fmanuel-medinas-quick-guide-intelligence), it is helpful to think of intelligence not as a static object but as a process. The output of this process can be a strategic or operational product. In both cases it is designed to help decision-makers understand a specific topic or threat in order to decide how to act to reach specific goals. If intelligence is a process, then open-source information is one of several possible inputs that can go into that process. Open-source information alone can be a powerful tool to support evidence-based decision-making. But depending on the context and need, analysts can also combine open-source and confidential information in the intelligence cycle. For example, an informer or whistle-blower may give a tip-off that a particular person has undisclosed and suspect business interests. Open-source information from company registries, websites and media articles can be used to try to corroborate this.\n\n### Can OSINT support law enforcement?\n\nYes, in fact it’s essential. In many countries public media reports, especially by investigative journalists, can trigger investigations into suspected financial crimes. In some cases, individuals even give themselves away with information they make publicly available on social media. This happened in the case of the [Ambuila family](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dailymail.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002Farticle-6875269\u002FMiami-social-media-influencer-arrested-Colombia-probe.html) in Colombia, whose daughter posted pictures of herself online with luxury goods and a Lamborghini. And as my colleague Tom Walugembe describes, the [first money laundering case in Uganda](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fbreaking-new-ground-prosecuting-first-money-laundering-case-uganda) started with a widely distributed WhatsApp video showing the criminals posing next to bundles of US dollars in their apartment. Not very intelligent.\n\n### Where does OSINT come from?\n\nWe tend to associate the term “open source” with digital information, but it can also be physical. Analysts and investigators used to have to go to libraries and government offices to get hold of public records and articles. You’ve seen the films where police leaf through piles of old newspapers in dusty archives? Now, a lot of this information is available on the internet and analysts spend more time behind their desks. But there’s still a lot of open-source information on paper in the world, especially in countries with less developed IT systems. Note that freely available doesn’t mean free. Lots of journals and media articles are behind paywalls, for example. Paying for freely available information is a bit of a grey question and frankly a headache for intelligence teams without a lot of resources. But as long as the cost isn’t so huge that it’s prohibitive and there are no other restrictions on people’s access to it, we still generally classify this data as open-source.\n\n### The value of OSINT for both public and private sectors\n\nOpen-source intelligence is immensely valuable to law enforcement. It generates leads, corroborates information received from other sources and backs up evidence used in court cases. It’s also incredibly useful to businesses and financial institutions for conducting risk assessments and due diligence on clients, employees and third parties. Open sources can be used to identify fraud or counterfeit schemes, or to investigate the claims of a whistle-blower. Strategic business intelligence is also usually based on open-source market data.\n\n### Is information power? Not any more\n\nThe fast expansion of the internet and search tools over the last couple of decades has made masses of information more easily available to the public. A few clicks now take us to newspaper archives going back several years, records of court judgements or downloadable databases of statistics and measurements. But paradoxically, having fast and easy access to huge amounts of data means that the old saying “information is power” is not so true anymore. First, there’s the issue of fake news – i.e. deliberately misleading articles or social media postings with no factual basis. Fake news that goes viral adds fuel to the (fake) fire. Analysts have to go through extensive procedures to verify the reliability of open-source information, both when initially collecting it and again during the integration and processing stages. Second, too much information can easily [infoxicate](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fmanuel-medinas-quick-guide-intelligence) us and cloud the decision-making process. Being able to gather relevant data and extract useful patterns is power, not information alone.\n\n### How to fight infoxication\n\nInfoxication-fighting is a serious issue. If you have spent hours getting lost down rabbit holes on the internet while researching a topic, you’re not alone. Tools that help speed up the search process, extract relevant information and connect the dots are really valuable here. Our own [Basel Open Intelligence tool](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fbasel-open-intelligence) is designed to do exactly that. It performs one-click automated searches of an individual’s or organisation’s name in combination with over 200 keywords on financial crimes, judicial actions, other criminal offences and custom keyword lists. It also trawls the deep web, picking out any references on lists of sanctions and politically exposed persons. Helpfully, you can search for multiple aliases and different name variations at the same time. It’s both amazing and frustrating how many different variations and transliterations of names there can be, especially for languages with different alphabets or complicated name structures. Some people use aliases to disguise their real identities. The algorithm uses natural language technology to extract entities and show related persons, companies, locations and professional positions. The documents found in the search are listed along with the extracted main text of the website, excluding irrelevant content like advertisement, menus or cookie notices. Keywords are highlighted for easy skimming. The user can quickly filter and sort the documents according to relevance. All this saves a huge amount of time and lets users gather just the information they need - and no more.\n\n### Open-source information plus automated translation – problem solved?\n\nBasel Open Intelligence is also designed to help overcome other practical challenges faced by investigators, analysts and compliance officers conducting background checks or due diligence using open sources. Language is a big one. Until recently, the problem has been the language _barrier_ – that analysts don’t understand information in languages they don’t speak. Translation takes time and is costly, especially if you don’t know whether the source is relevant or not. Automatic translation tools like DeepL and Google Translate have made understanding open-source information in other languages faster and cheaper. But now we have a new problem: regular search engines look primarily for results in the user’s own language. This makes it likely that analysts relying on regular search engines won’t even find potentially crucial information in other languages, let alone have the chance to analyse it. To help solve this, Basel Open Intelligence conducts searches in multiple languages. It also gives users the option to automatically translate articles into their own language for easier analysis.\n\n### A word of caution\n\nWhen it comes to open-source intelligence, tools are there to help humans and not replace them. Language is a good example: multilingual search and automated translation are hugely valuable but don’t replace human understanding of the context and cultural or political connotations. A word like “paramilitary” or even “corruption” can have very different meanings in the context of Colombia, Ireland or China. Humans also have a better idea of the information they’re missing, not just the information they can find using open sources. Although many company or beneficial ownership registries are online and accessible, for example, others lack transparency. Most of all, open-source information is a powerful beast but it needs harnessing. The ability to extract relevant information from the mass of openly available information on the internet and elsewhere, and to turn it into something useful… now that’s power. That’s intelligence.\n\n### Find out more\n\n*   Read [Manuel Medina’s quick guide to intelligence](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fblog\u002Fmanuel-medinas-quick-guide-intelligence)…\n*   …and see [all our quick guides](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications?type=2428), a series of short guides to complex topics in corruption and financial crime.\n*   Learn more about [Basel Open Intelligence](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fbasel-open-intelligence) and sign up for a free demo account.\n*   Our free [eLearning course on Operational Analysis](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery\u002Ffree-elearning-courses\u002Foperational-analysis) offers an interactive, hands-on introduction to the intelligence cycle.\n*   [Download a PDF of the quick guide](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fquick-guide-17-open-source-intelligence-0) or [view on LEARN](https:\u002F\u002Flearn.baselgovernance.org\u002Fcourse\u002Fview.php?id=38) in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.","2020-06-09","manuel-medina039s-quick-guide-to-open-source-intelligence-1772","Manuel Medina's quick guide to open-source intelligence","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fa6b10fba-0ee8-44b4-9805-133e3709e888?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[50,102],"Green Corruption",[10],[],1772,[79,102],[],[109],845,[],[21],[],"2022-05-26T22:54:47.000Z","2026-05-29T22:21:51.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fmanuel-medina039s-quick-guide-to-open-source-intelligence-1772",{"id":118,"body":119,"status":6,"type":120,"date":121,"slug":122,"title":123,"image":124,"countries":125,"topic":126,"activity":127,"tags":130,"nid":147,"topics":148,"activities":149,"authors":150,"images":151,"websites":152,"area":19,"programme":19,"language":19,"translations":153,"translation_of":19,"user_created":87,"date_created":154,"user_updated":89,"date_updated":155,"content":156,"link":157},9516,"[_Versión en español aquí._](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fenriquecimiento-ilicito-libro-de-acceso-abierto-dedicado-las-leyes-sobre-enriquecimiento)\n\nWe are delighted to announce that our open-access book, [_Illicit Enrichment: A Guide to Laws Targeting Unexplained Wealth_](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fillicit-enrichment-guide-laws-targeting-unexplained-wealth) by Andrew Dornbierer is now available in [Spanish](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fenriquecimiento-ilicito-una-guia-sobre-las-leyes-que-abordan-los-activos-de).\n\nThe book explores the rapid growth of illicit enrichment (unexplained wealth) legislation around the world and its use to target corruption and recover illicitly obtained assets.\n\nLike the original English version, it is a peer-reviewed publication that is freely available to read, download and share at [illicitenrichment.baselgovernance.org](https:\u002F\u002Fillicitenrichment.baselgovernance.org\u002F).\n\n### Targeting unexplained wealth in the Spanish-speaking world\n\nMany Spanish-speaking countries have drafted and introduced illicit enrichment legislation to target corruption. These laws are particularly prevalent in South and Central America, where [25 countries](https:\u002F\u002Flearn.baselgovernance.org\u002Fmod\u002Fdata\u002Fview.php?id=2033) have already enacted some form of this type of law.\n\nWhile some countries have had success using these laws – such as Argentina and Mexico – other countries seem hesitant to consistently enforce these laws. Most of these countries have never actually used their laws at all.\n\nThis is a common problem throughout the world. Why? One reason is that there isn’t a significant amount of commentary and guidance regarding how these laws can be drafted, investigated, prosecuted and adjudicated.\n\n_Enriquecimiento ilícito: una guía sobre las leyes que abordan los activos de procedencia inexplicable_ will provide much-needed guidance to Spanish-speaking law enforcement agencies throughout the Americas region. It will also provide some foundational knowledge to practitioners regarding the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of these laws.\n\n### The challenge of translating concepts, laws and practice\n\nThis book was translated from English into Spanish by [Pantoglot, Ltda](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.pantoglot.com\u002Fen\u002F). The translation was reviewed by Sandra Comesaña of [Hengeler Mueller](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hengeler.com\u002Fen), a leading international corporate and white-collar law firm based in Germany. Commenting on the experience, she said:\n\n> Andrew Dornbierer's and the Basel Institutes's work on _Illicit Enrichment_ is an important contribution to the international effort of detecting, sanctioning and eventually preventing corruption and other financial crimes by \"going after the money\". The book's practical guidance on asset recovery in more than 100 jurisdictions is an invaluable tool for practitioners from both the private and public sectors and academics alike that is now finally available in Spanish, facilitating ready access for individuals and institutions specifically from the Spanish and Latin American markets.\n> \n> Hengeler Mueller is grateful for having had the opportunity to contribute to the Spanish version. Hengeler Mueller regularly advises international clients in various matters involving complex questions of multi-jurisdictional asset recovery both on its own and together especially with the members of its Best Friends network of Europe's leading independent law firms.\n\nThe pro-bono support for the translation review was facilitated by [The Academy of Financial Crime Litigators](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.financialcrimelitigators.org\u002F), an independent, non-partisan global centre that shapes and advances financial crime litigation practices for the future.\n\n### About the book\n\nPublished in English by the Basel Institute on Governance in June 2021, _Illicit Enrichment_ by Senior Asset Recovery Specialist Andrew Dornbierer features:\n\n*   Extensive analysis of jurisprudence and cases from around the world\n*   Tables, flow charts and graphics explaining key concepts\n*   Discussion of common questions and challenges\n*   Contributions from practitioners around the world, including a discussion of the introduction and evolution of Peru’s criminal illicit enrichment offence by Dr. Alcides Chinchay, a Senior Prosecutor of the Peruvian Public Prosecutor’s Office.\n*   [Annex 1](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fcompilation-illicit-enrichment-legislation-and-other-relevant-legislation): A collection of laws from 103 jurisdictions, also as an online [database](https:\u002F\u002Flearn.baselgovernance.org\u002Fmod\u002Fdata\u002Fview.php?id=2033) (in English)\n*   [Annex II](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fproving-illicit-enrichment-using-financial-investigation-and-source-and-application): A step-by-step guide to financial investigations and source and application analyses to support illicit enrichment cases (in English)\n\n_Illicit Enrichment_ was developed and published by the Basel Institute on Governance through its [International Centre for Asset Recovery](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fasset-recovery), with research support from the NYU School of Law.\n\n### Where to find it\n\nYou can find the online version in both languages at: [illicitenrichment.baselgovernance.org](https:\u002F\u002Fillicitenrichment.baselgovernance.org\u002F). Re-use and re-sharing are encouraged under a Creative Commons [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https:\u002F\u002Fcreativecommons.org\u002Flicenses\u002Fby-nc-nd\u002F4.0\u002F) licence.\n\nThe book is also available to [print at cost price from Amazon worldwide](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fenriquecimiento-ilicito-una-guia-sobre-las-leyes-que-abordan-los-activos-de).","News","2022-04-25","enriquecimiento-ilicito-open-access-book-on-illicit-enrichment-laws-now-available-in-spanish-2211","Enriquecimiento ilícito – open-access book on illicit enrichment laws now available in Spanish","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F7a0e3134-f2db-4187-9a8a-501a6fa2fd16?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[50],[128,129],"Research","Media releases",[131,135,139,143],{"tags_id":132},{"id":133,"name":134},821,"Unexplained wealth",{"tags_id":136},{"id":137,"name":138},1215,"Illicit financial flows",{"tags_id":140},{"id":141,"name":142},973,"Corruption",{"tags_id":144},{"id":145,"name":146},1371,"Public governance",2211,[79],[128,129],[],[],[21],[],"2022-05-26T22:51:51.000Z","2026-05-29T22:21:39.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fenriquecimiento-ilicito-open-access-book-on-illicit-enrichment-laws-now-available-in-spanish-2211",{"id":159,"body":160,"status":6,"type":120,"date":161,"slug":162,"title":163,"image":164,"countries":165,"topic":167,"activity":169,"tags":171,"nid":172,"topics":173,"activities":174,"authors":175,"images":176,"websites":177,"area":19,"programme":19,"language":19,"translations":178,"translation_of":19,"user_created":87,"date_created":179,"user_updated":180,"date_updated":181,"content":182,"link":183},10333,"A new report reveals the challenges that local and regional governments in Peru face in implementing public investment projects such as energy, transport and telecommunications infrastructure.\n\nIts analysis, case studies and recommendations will help all those implementing or monitoring public projects to anticipate problems and better achieve objectives.\n\nThe report, published in Spanish, is based on the experiences and research of the Basel Institute’s Subnational Public Finance Management Strengthening Programme ([Programa GFP](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002F)), supported by the [Swiss SECO Cooperation in Peru](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cooperacionsuiza.pe\u002Fseco\u002F) since 2015.\n\n### Executive summary (adapted translation)\n\nVarious studies show that delays in the awarding of public tenders and the interruption of investments during project execution are among the main reasons for the low impact of public investment on competitiveness.\n\nCountries are [estimated](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imf.org\u002Fen\u002FPublications\u002FBooks\u002FIssues\u002F2020\u002F09\u002F03\u002FWell-Spent-How-Strong-Infrastructure-Governance-Can-End-Waste-in-Public-Investment-48603) to lose on average between 30 and 50 percent of the potential benefits in the process. In Peru, around 40 percent of returns are lost due to difficulties in the administration of such projects.\n\nThat is why it is necessary to strengthen the capacities of subnational governments to implement public investment projects and to overcome the challenges posed by these processes.\n\n#### 233 problems in 36 projects\n\nThe aim of this document is to help improve the capacities of regional and local governments to successfully execute public investment projects. Through case studies, it identifies and analyses adverse situations and recurrent obstacles that affect or may affect the continuity, results or achievement of a project’s objectives.\n\nUltimately, this understanding provides subnational governments with more tools to design and manage their investment projects.\n\nTo this end, this document studies:\n\n*   233 adverse situations in the execution of large public investment projects…\n*   …identified from the analysis of 123 control\u002Faudit reports, prepared by Peru's Office of the Comptroller General during or after a project…\n*   … for a set of 36 public investment projects mainly belonging to subnational governments…\n*   … of which 12 are executed by public-private partnerships, 12 use a so-called “Obras por impuestos” model in which private companies advance the payment of their income taxes to finance and execute public investment projects, and 12 are public works.\n\n#### Twelve key typologies\n\nFrom the various typologies that emerge from the analysis of these adverse situations, 12 are prioritised due to their significant impact on variables such as cost, time and quality, as well as their frequency and relevance.\n\nThe most frequent type of adverse situation (9 percent of cases) is non-compliance, during the execution of the works, of technical regulatory requirements listed in the project's technical file.\n\nThis is followed, in order of frequency, by:\n\n*   Delays in the execution of the works\n*   Delays in the development\u002Fapproval of the technical file due to non-compliance with technical regulations or without the corresponding substantiation\n*   Approval of additional works or services without justification or without meeting the requirements\n*   Inconsistency in the valuation of works\n*   Failure to or a delay in transferring areas or land, or in providing legal clearance and eliminating interferences; and\n*   Non-compliance or deficiencies in supervision.\n\nThese typologies represent 36 percent of the adverse situations identified.\n\n#### Three top recommendations\n\nFrom the analysis of the most relevant and recurrent types of adverse situations, 11 recommendations to minimise their occurrence emerge.\n\nSome are general, referring to possible improvements in public investment regulations. Others are more specific, aimed at public officials of subnational governments in charge of executing public investment projects.\n\nAmong these recommendations, the following stand out:\n\n*   The standardisation of tools and processes for the design and execution of public investment projects, with the aim of improving quality levels in the development of technical files and ensuring compliance with the regulations.\n*   The establishment of Project Management Offices in the subnational government departments in charge of large investment projects or mega-projects. This could support more integrated management and improve the monitoring of project portfolio schedules, as well as enable more attention to be paid to the different aspects of project execution (time, cost, scope, risks, quality, communications, stakeholder management, among others).\n*   Improvements in contracting mechanisms and systems, in order to ensure quality contractors are hired. This could significantly reduce the deficiencies observed in the development and approval of technical dossiers.\n\n### More\n\n*   [Download the report](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gfpsubnacional.pe\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2023\u002F02\u002FDesafios-para-la-ejecucion-de-grandes-proyectos.pdf) (in Spanish)\n*   [Learn more](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublic-finance-peru) about the Swiss-funded Subnational PFM Strengthening Programme (in English)","2023-02-14","large-public-investment-projects-large-challenges-new-analysis-from-peru-2348","Large public investment projects, large challenges – new analysis from Peru","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F623c96eb-59d7-4697-96e2-b6c479c6411c?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[166],7203,[168],"Public Finance Management",[128,170,55],"Reports",[],2348,[168],[128,170,55],[],[],[21],[],"2023-02-14T11:01:26.000Z","b0662e2a-864d-4888-a1b7-4342b7570b30","2025-08-31T23:14:40.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Flarge-public-investment-projects-large-challenges-new-analysis-from-peru-2348",{"id":185,"body":186,"status":6,"type":43,"date":187,"slug":188,"title":189,"image":190,"countries":191,"topic":192,"activity":193,"tags":194,"nid":199,"topics":200,"activities":201,"authors":202,"images":204,"websites":205,"area":19,"programme":19,"language":19,"translations":206,"translation_of":19,"user_created":87,"date_created":207,"user_updated":89,"date_updated":208,"content":209,"link":210},10289,"The United Kingdom’s [Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.legislation.gov.uk\u002Fukpga\u002F2022\u002F10\u002Fsection\u002F49) received Royal Assent on 15 March 2022.\n\nThis long-promised legislation was brought forward in the context of the war in Ukraine and expedited through Parliament, signalling the UK government’s [declared](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gov.uk\u002Fgovernment\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-measures-to-tackle-corrupt-elites-and-dirty-money-become-law) intent to boost the powers of law enforcement agencies to target domestically located proceeds of crime that may have a connection to Putin and his inner circle.\n\nAside from amendments made to the UK sanctions regime which are intended to enable the UK to impose sanctions against oligarchs already designated by other States and improving powers of sanctions enforcement, the Act has broader application against dirty money in the United Kingdom. It introduces a Register of Overseas Entities in relation to property and amends the [Unexplained Wealth Order](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.legislation.gov.uk\u002Fukpga\u002F2002\u002F29\u002Fchapter\u002F2\u002Fcrossheading\u002Funexplained-wealth-orders) investigatory powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. This note focuses on the amendments to the unexplained wealth order regime.\n\nAs the UK government explains in this [fact sheet](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gov.uk\u002Fgovernment\u002Fpublications\u002Feconomic-crime-transparency-and-enforcement-bill-2022-overarching-documents\u002Ffactsheet-unexplained-wealth-order-reforms-web-accessible),\n\n> An unexplained wealth order (UWO) is an investigatory order placed on a respondent whose assets appear disproportionate to their income to explain the origins of their wealth.\n> \n> An Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) requires a person who is a Politically Exposed Person (PEP) or reasonably suspected of involvement in, or of being connected to a person involved in, serious crime to explain the origin of assets (minimum combined value of £50,000) that appear to be disproportionate to their known lawfully obtained income.\n> \n> ...A UWO is not (by itself) a power to recover assets. However, any response from a UWO can be used in subsequent civil recovery proceedings.\n\n### A little-used power\n\nDespite the great expectations which accompanied the introduction of UWOs in 2018, they appear to have been little used. Of the five agencies with the power to apply for UWOs, only the National Crime Agency (NCA) has utilised this investigatory power, so far in only four cases.\n\nAnd even in these cases, the exercise of the powers has met with patchy success, with one UWO application being successfully challenged – leading to a reported costs order against the NCA of GBP 1.5 million.\n\n### Key amendments\n\nThe amendments to the Act are [intended](https:\u002F\u002Fpublications.parliament.uk\u002Fpa\u002Fbills\u002Fcbill\u002F58-02\u002F0262\u002Fen\u002F210262env2.pdf) to improve the effectiveness of the UWO regime as follows:\n\n#### “Responsible officers”\n\nThe amendments introduce “responsible officers” as a new category of people who can receive a UWO. This new provision can apply where the respondent to an UWO is not an individual, but instead for example a company.\n\nIn these cases, the UWO can include the name of an individual – the “responsible officer” – who must provide the necessary information. It is anticipated that “responsible officers” will be directors, partners or managers of companies.\n\nThe intended aim of this provision is to enable enforcement authorities to obtain information in cases involving complex corporate structures that have been used to hide the owner of certain assets.\n\n#### Broader scope of application\n\nThey broaden the situations in which a UWO can be sought to include cases where there are reasonable grounds for suspecting _“that the property has been obtained through unlawful conduct.”_\n\nBefore this amendment, the Court had to be be satisfied that _“there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the known sources of the respondent's lawfully obtained income would have been insufficient for the purposes of enabling the respondent to obtain the property.”_\n\nThis has proven difficult when property was held in complex corporate structures, as enforcement authorities struggled to establish evidence of income of the owners of the property. The amendment helps with this as it is intended to allow an application for a UWO to be made when it can be shown that the property was bought with dirty money.\n\n#### Extended review period\n\nWhere property is subject to an interim freezing order, the law is amended to enable law enforcement agencies to apply for an extension by up to 126 days of the period of time available to review material provided under a UWO and determine whether or not to seek further asset recovery action.\n\n#### Protection against legal costs\n\nThe amendments also aim to protect the agencies from incurring substantial legal costs in cases relating to UWOs, providing they have acted reasonably.\n\n### Will they work?\n\nWhile the reforms will no doubt remove some of the hesitancies that have prevented enforcement authorities from seeking UWOs in the past – particularly by removing the risk of the state facing hefty legal bills in the event of failure – the jury on whether the amendments go far enough is still out.\n\nEven the UK Government’s [factsheet](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gov.uk\u002Fgovernment\u002Fpublications\u002Feconomic-crime-transparency-and-enforcement-bill-2022-overarching-documents\u002Ffactsheet-unexplained-wealth-order-reforms-web-accessible) on the proposed reforms was non-committal as to the extent to which these laws will actually encourage law enforcement agencies to actively seek more UWOs.\n\n### How the UK law differs from other unexplained wealth order mechanisms\n\nWhen the UWO’s were first introduced in the UK, there was a widespread misconception that the order itself would enable the confiscation of assets.\n\nHowever, this was never the case as the UK’s UWO is an investigatory power. It does not, of itself, provide a mechanism for the actual recovery of assets.\n\nAssets can only be recovered when evidence obtained under an UWO is used to support a separate civil recovery procedure under the Proceeds of Crime Act, where the Court has to determine whether specific property has been derived from unlawful criminal conduct.\n\nThe UK’s unexplained wealth mechanism differs therefore from similarly named unexplained wealth-focused mechanisms that exist around the world. These typically act as a power to identify potentially unexplainable assets and also allow for their confiscation (or for a civil payment order to be made for their value against the relevant person) without the need to demonstrate that the assets are derived from criminal activity.\n\nAs such, while the recent amendments clearly improve the UK’s mechanism, they do not change the fact that the recovery of stolen assets still depends on a separate legal procedure and a requirement that courts be satisfied that the property in question is, more likely than not, derived from crime.\n\nWhile this is not wrong in itself, it is also not wrong to suggest that on top of the latest amendments, the UK could also consider additional unexplained wealth-focused mechanisms, for example like those that exist in several other common law jurisdictions  and that simply require the court to be satisfied that certain assets do not have a lawful explanation before potentially confiscating them.\n\nSuch tools could give the UK enforcement authorities yet another avenue to go after the dirty money that has been plaguing the London financial centre for too long.\n\n### Learn more\n\nFind more information on these types of mechanisms in [Illicit Enrichment: A Guide to Laws Targeting Unexplained Wealth](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fillicit-enrichment-guide-laws-targeting-unexplained-wealth), an open-access book published in 2021 by the Basel Institute through its International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR), with research support from the NYU School of Law.\n\nWritten by Senior Asset Recovery Specialist Andrew Dornbierer, the book provides a comprehensive guide to illicit enrichment laws and their application to target unexplained wealth and recover proceeds of corruption and other crimes. It covers both criminal and civil-based laws from around the world, and is accompanied by a database of illicit enrichment\u002Funexplained wealth legislation in 103 jurisdictions and guidance for investigators and prosecutors on conducting source and application analysis to prove such cases in court.\n\nIllicit Enrichment has recently been made available in [Spanish](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fenriquecimiento-ilicito-una-guia-sobre-las-leyes-que-abordan-los-activos-de). A French translation of the introduction and part 1 are already available [here](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fenrichissement-illicite-guide-sur-les-lois-ciblant-la-richesse-inexpliquee); a full version will be released in mid-2022.","2022-03-16","the-uks-unexplained-wealth-order-certainly-much-improved-but-going-after-dirty-money-remains-difficult-2201","The UK’s Unexplained Wealth Order: certainly much improved, but going after dirty money remains difficult","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F8d3ceaf3-ee51-4314-a438-7df28b165c50?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[50],[55],[195,197],{"tags_id":196},{"id":133,"name":134},{"tags_id":198},{"id":137,"name":138},2201,[79],[55],[203],1169,[],[21],[],"2022-07-07T16:24:54.000Z","2026-05-29T22:22:22.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fthe-uks-unexplained-wealth-order-certainly-much-improved-but-going-after-dirty-money-remains-difficult-2201",{"id":212,"body":213,"status":6,"type":120,"date":214,"slug":215,"title":216,"image":217,"countries":218,"topic":219,"activity":222,"tags":224,"nid":225,"topics":226,"activities":227,"authors":228,"images":229,"websites":230,"area":19,"programme":19,"language":19,"translations":231,"translation_of":19,"user_created":87,"date_created":232,"user_updated":233,"date_updated":234,"content":235,"link":236},9737,"The Basel Institute on Governance is delighted to announce it has recently become an affiliated partner to the [Network of Corruption Prevention Authorities](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.coe.int\u002Fen\u002Fweb\u002Fcorruption\u002Fncpa-network) (NCPA).\n\nThe NCPA Network was launched in 2018 to address the need for cooperation between anti-corruption authorities at the operational level. The size, powers, activities and visibility of anti-corruption authorities around the world varies greatly. In some cases, they play a major role in developing anti-corruption strategies and policies for their countries, translating international standards like the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) into domestic action. In others, they don't yet exist.\n\nThrough the Network, the nearly 30 members and affiliates have a platform to: \n\n*   exchange technical information\n*   share good practices\n*   find concrete solutions to common challenges – which, in the field of corruption prevention, are many and varied.\n\n### The Basel Institute and corruption prevention\n\nAt the Basel Institute we have direct experience of the potential of national anti-corruption agencies to prevent corruption, especially when their efforts are strengthened through peer learning. \n\nFor example, experts in governance, asset recovery and private-sector Collective Action from across the Basel Institute supported Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) last year with its review of the country's [National Anti-Corruption Strategy](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fmalawis-new-national-anti-corruption-strategy-state-art-approach). The new strategy's implementation, which we are also supporting, is already leading to tangible benefits for Malawian citizens. In parallel, Malawi's ACB is unearthing new corruption risks and developing mitigating measures in districts across the country thanks to a risk assessment methodology shared through a peer-learning exercise with our [Public Finance Management](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fpublic-finance-peru) colleagues in Peru.\n\nNational anti-corruption authorities are also key to achieving the goal of [making Collective Action against corruption a global norm](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.baselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fbasel-institute-pursues-new-collective-action-project-renewed-funding-siemens-integrity). Gemma Aiolfi, Head of Compliance and Collective Action at the Basel Institute, explains:\n\n> As the NCPA's recent [survey of anti-corruption authorities](https:\u002F\u002Frm.coe.int\u002Fncpa-analysis-report-global-mapping-acas\u002F16809e790b) reveals, many national anti-corruption agencies are tasked with designing and implementing their country's anti-corruption strategy, or are at least involved in contributing to its development. This means they are well placed to include Collective Action as part of the private sector's compliance programme. This could also help to close the gap identified in the survey regarding the uneven dissemination of anti-corruption standards in the private sector.\n\n### How the NCPA Network can help\n\nThe NCPA Network provides an opportunity for its members to share experiences and identify good practices. As well as the above-mentioned mapping of anti-corruption authorities around the world, for example, the Network has published [technical guides](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.coe.int\u002Fen\u002Fweb\u002Fcorruption\u002Fncpa-network) to codes of conduct and corruption risk assessments.\n\nCrucially, the Network also helps members replicate approaches that are conducive to developing more effective anti-corruption strategies that include both the private and public sectors.\n\nThe growing range of partnerships between the NCPA Network and other international bodies is further evidence of the importance of coordinated, multi-stakeholder action against corruption. This is an approach that the Basel Institute endorses and supports. \n\nA joint initiative of the Italian Autorità Nazionale AntiCorruzione ([ANAC](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.anticorruzione.it\u002Fportal\u002Fpublic\u002Fclassic\u002F)), French Agençe Française Anticorruption ([AFA](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.agence-francaise-anticorruption.gouv.fr\u002Ffr)) and Serbian Anti-Corruption Agency ([ACAS](http:\u002F\u002Fwww.acas.rs\u002Fhome-5\u002F?lang=en)), the NCPA Network operates within the framework of the Group of States against Corruption ([GRECO](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.coe.int\u002Fen\u002Fweb\u002Fgreco)), the Council of Europe's anti-corruption body.\n\nWe look forward to helping the NCPA Network achieve its ambition to strengthen peer-to-peer cooperation in corruption prevention around the world – and thereby stopping corruption before it occurs.","2020-05-26","stopping-corruption-before-it-occurs-why-the-basel-institute-has-become-a-partner-to-the-network-of-corruption-prevention-authorities-1751","Stopping corruption before it occurs: why the Basel Institute has become a partner to the Network of Corruption Prevention Authorities ","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F90b54d21-1704-4c63-b862-cec70d30afac?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[220,221],"Collective Action","Private Sector",[223],"Partnerships",[],1751,[220,221],[223],[],[],[21,220],[],"2022-05-26T22:54:59.000Z","dfef11db-1bc6-47e9-a61d-93443995484b","2026-05-08T21:11:04.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fstopping-corruption-before-it-occurs-why-the-basel-institute-has-become-a-partner-to-the-network-of-corruption-prevention-authorities-1751",{"id":238,"body":239,"status":6,"type":43,"date":240,"slug":241,"title":242,"image":243,"countries":244,"topic":245,"activity":246,"tags":248,"nid":249,"topics":250,"activities":251,"authors":252,"images":254,"websites":255,"area":19,"programme":19,"language":19,"translations":256,"translation_of":19,"user_created":87,"date_created":257,"user_updated":89,"date_updated":258,"content":259,"link":260},10412,"It is becoming a truism that projects designed to address society’s biggest problems – like corruption or environmental degradation – need to be based on an understanding of the political context.\n\nIt is clear why. Without an understanding of the political context, we may miss important policy opportunities or stakeholders who can support and sustain the project goals. Our efforts may clash with power dynamics in unexpected ways, introducing unforeseen risks and undermining what we seek to achieve.\n\nTaking the political context into account in a project’s _theory of change_ enables us to learn about potential obstacles and adapt our plan accordingly. An insight into the local power dynamics and politics can also strengthen and validate the underlying logic of a project.\n\nSo why don’t we use political economy insights in anti-corruption or conservation projects more often and more effectively?\n\n### Six-step guidance\n\nTogether with Micol Martini of WWF, I recently published a [guide](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Ftranslating-political-economy-insights-conservation-practice-six-step-guide) that offers practical suggestions for integrating political economy analysis results into a theory of change.\n\nShe summarises the findings brilliantly in this [IUCN blog,](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.iucn.org\u002Fcrossroads-blog\u002F202311\u002Funderstanding-power-and-politics-better-conservation-outcomes) so I won’t repeat them here.\n\nInstead, at the guide’s [online launch event](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.worldwildlife.org\u002Fpages\u002Ftnrc-event-pea-into-practice-using-political-economy-for-environmental-anti-corruption-theories-of-change), I first highlighted two common barriers to using political economy analyses in practice and ways to mitigate them.\n\n### Myth 1: Political economy analyses are complicated to produce\n\nFirst, political economy analyses are often perceived as complicated to produce, requiring sophisticated political science skills.\n\nThat isn’t true. Political economy analyses come in all shapes and sizes. Our guidance emphasises that pragmatic approaches can be useful in identifying the right political economy analysis approach.\n\nPolitical economy analyses are less about having the right _skills_ and more about asking the right _questions_.\n\n### Myth 2: Political economy analyses are problematic to use\n\nSecond, political economy analyses are sometimes perceived as complicated to use.\n\nThis is reinforced by the idea that politics and power are negative, presenting a danger to programmes.\n\nIn fact, it is helpful to see how politics offers possibilities, not only problems. Understanding the politics and the context helps us to see new connections, find the right stakeholders to engage and spot the low-hanging fruit.\n\nPolitical priorities also shift, so it's good to keep abreast of how changes might impact a new or ongoing programme.\n\n### What’s needed?\n\nAt the [launch event](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.worldwildlife.org\u002Fpages\u002Ftnrc-blog-putting-political-economy-analysis-into-practice-using-political-economy-for-environmental-anti-corruption-theories-of-change) I also emphasised the need for spaces for dialogue between those conducting political economy analyses and programme implementers.\n\nBecause political economy analysis is not only about thinking politically, it is about _working_ politically.\n\nFor example, as part of a collaboration with the Targeting Natural Resource Corruption (TNRC) project, we [conducted](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fhow-political-economy-analysis-can-support-corruption-risk-assessments-strengthen-law) political economy analyses in three countries to understand why corruption risks may arise in the investigation and prosecution of illegal wildlife trade cases.\n\nWe had two different types of analysis. One looked at what kind of corruption risks may emerge in investigations and prosecutions of illegal wildlife trade cases. The other study explored the broader context and identified the underlying drivers of the corruption risks.\n\nInstead of just sending the results to stakeholders, we organised conversations where we presented the findings of the political economy analysis, summarised the key ideas and reflected on the implications for anti-corruption policies.\n\nIn this way, we helped our colleagues and partners to design anti-corruption interventions that would:\n\n*   be more effective in their particular context;\n*   be more resilient to threats from powerful political interests and stakeholders;\n*   address the causes rather than only the symptoms;\n*   identify better ways to monitor and evaluate progress;\n*   be easier to adapt to changes in the political context.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Read the six-step guide for practitioners: [Translating political economy insights into conservation practice](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Ftranslating-political-economy-insights-conservation-practice-six-step-guide), by Micol Martini and Saba Kassa.\n*   Read our TNRC practice note: [How political economy analysis can support corruption risk assessments to strengthen law enforcement against wildlife crimes](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fhow-political-economy-analysis-can-support-corruption-risk-assessments-strengthen-law).\n*   Watch the [launch event](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.worldwildlife.org\u002Fpages\u002Ftnrc-blog-putting-political-economy-analysis-into-practice-using-political-economy-for-environmental-anti-corruption-theories-of-change) and read the key takeaways.","2024-01-18","how-to-make-better-use-of-political-economy-analysis-in-anti-corruption-and-conservation-programming-2565","How to make better use of political economy analysis in anti-corruption and conservation programming","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fcf0d76e9-11d1-4e74-9cf0-4285eebbb3e0?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[51,52],[54,128,55,247],"Presentations",[],2565,[80],[54,128,55,247],[253],1124,[],[21],[],"2024-01-18T11:01:35.000Z","2026-05-07T21:29:55.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fhow-to-make-better-use-of-political-economy-analysis-in-anti-corruption-and-conservation-programming-2565",{"id":262,"body":263,"status":6,"type":43,"date":264,"slug":265,"title":242,"image":266,"countries":267,"topic":268,"activity":269,"tags":270,"nid":271,"topics":272,"activities":273,"authors":274,"images":276,"websites":19,"area":19,"programme":19,"language":85,"translations":277,"translation_of":19,"user_created":87,"date_created":278,"user_updated":87,"date_updated":278,"content":279,"link":280},10628,"It is becoming a truism that projects designed to address society’s biggest problems – like corruption or environmental degradation – need to be based on an understanding of the political context.\n\nIt is clear why. Without an understanding of the political context, we may miss important policy opportunities or stakeholders who can support and sustain the project goals. Our efforts may clash with power dynamics in unexpected ways, introducing unforeseen risks and undermining what we seek to achieve.\n\nTaking the political context into account in a project’s _theory of change_ enables us to learn about potential obstacles and adapt our plan accordingly. An insight into the local power dynamics and politics can also strengthen and validate the underlying logic of a project.\n\nSo why don’t we use political economy insights in anti-corruption or conservation projects more often and more effectively?\n\n### Six-step guidance\n\nTogether with Micol Martini of WWF, I recently published a [guide](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Ftranslating-political-economy-insights-conservation-practice-six-step-guide) that offers practical suggestions for integrating political economy analysis results into a theory of change.\n\nShe summarises the findings brilliantly in this [IUCN blog,](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.iucn.org\u002Fcrossroads-blog\u002F202311\u002Funderstanding-power-and-politics-better-conservation-outcomes) so I won’t repeat them here.\n\nInstead, at the guide’s [online launch event](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.worldwildlife.org\u002Fpages\u002Ftnrc-event-pea-into-practice-using-political-economy-for-environmental-anti-corruption-theories-of-change), I first highlighted two common barriers to using political economy analyses in practice and ways to mitigate them.\n\n### Myth 1: Political economy analyses are complicated to produce\n\nFirst, political economy analyses are often perceived as complicated to produce, requiring sophisticated political science skills.\n\nThat isn’t true. Political economy analyses come in all shapes and sizes. Our guidance emphasises that pragmatic approaches can be useful in identifying the right political economy analysis approach.\n\nPolitical economy analyses are less about having the right _skills_ and more about asking the right _questions_.\n\n### Myth 2: Political economy analyses are problematic to use\n\nSecond, political economy analyses are sometimes perceived as complicated to use.\n\nThis is reinforced by the idea that politics and power are negative, presenting a danger to programmes.\n\nIn fact, it is helpful to see how politics offers possibilities, not only problems. Understanding the politics and the context helps us to see new connections, find the right stakeholders to engage and spot the low-hanging fruit.\n\nPolitical priorities also shift, so it's good to keep abreast of how changes might impact a new or ongoing programme.\n\n### What’s needed?\n\nAlso at the launch event, I emphasised the need for spaces for dialogue between those conducting political economy analyses and programme implementers.\n\nBecause political economy analysis is not only about thinking politically, it is about _working_ politically.\n\nFor example, as part of a collaboration with the Targeting Natural Resource Corruption (TNRC) project, we [conducted](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fhow-political-economy-analysis-can-support-corruption-risk-assessments-strengthen-law) political economy analyses in three countries to understand why corruption risks may arise in the investigation and prosecution of illegal wildlife trade cases.\n\nWe had two different types of analysis. One looked at what kind of corruption risks may emerge in investigations and prosecutions of illegal wildlife trade cases. The other study explored the broader context and identified the underlying drivers of the corruption risks.\n\nInstead of just sending the results to stakeholders, we organised conversations where we presented the findings of the political economy analysis, summarised the key ideas and reflected on the implications for anti-corruption policies.\n\nIn this way, we helped our colleagues and partners to design anti-corruption interventions that would:\n\n*   be more effective in their particular context;\n*   be more resilient to threats from powerful political interests and stakeholders;\n*   address the causes rather than only the symptoms;\n*   identify better ways to monitor and evaluate progress;\n*   be easier to adapt to changes in the political context.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Read the six-step guide for practitioners: [Translating political economy insights into conservation practice](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Ftranslating-political-economy-insights-conservation-practice-six-step-guide), by Micol Martini and Saba Kassa\n*   Read our TNRC practice note: [How political economy analysis can support corruption risk assessments to strengthen law enforcement against wildlife crimes](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fhow-political-economy-analysis-can-support-corruption-risk-assessments-strengthen-law).","2023-12-21","how-to-make-better-use-of-political-economy-analysis-in-anti-corruption-and-conservation-programming-2564","\u002Fpics\u002Fimg-placeholder.png",[],[102,51,52],[128,55],[],2564,[102,51,52],[128,55],[275],1380,[],[],"2026-06-04T21:14:01.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fhow-to-make-better-use-of-political-economy-analysis-in-anti-corruption-and-conservation-programming-2564",{"id":282,"body":283,"status":6,"type":120,"date":284,"slug":285,"title":286,"image":287,"countries":288,"topic":289,"activity":292,"tags":294,"nid":302,"topics":303,"activities":304,"authors":305,"images":306,"websites":307,"area":19,"programme":19,"language":19,"translations":308,"translation_of":19,"user_created":87,"date_created":309,"user_updated":180,"date_updated":181,"content":310,"link":311},10281,"Companies and business associations play an important role in preventing and reducing corruption in the markets where they operate – something that governments also want to achieve.\n\nSo how can governments and the private sector work together better to raise standards of integrity and fair business in specific countries and industries?\n\nTo answer this, our Collective Action team has worked with the people on the front lines of governments’ corruption prevent efforts – anti-corruption authorities –  to develop practical guidance with real examples.\n\nPublished today, the [guidance](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fengaging-private-sector-collective-action-against-corruption) was co-developed with members of the Network of Corruption Prevention Authorities ([NCPA](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.coe.int\u002Fen\u002Fweb\u002Fcorruption\u002Fncpa-network)), of which the Basel Institute is an [affiliated partner](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fnews\u002Fstopping-corruption-before-it-occurs-why-the-basel-institute-has-become-a-partner-to-the-network-of-corruption-prevention-authorities-1751).\n\n### Three avenues, global examples\n\nThe user-friendly guidance document explains how governments and their anti-corruption agencies can engage with the private sector to prevent corruption in three ways:\n\n*   Collaborate and consult on corruption prevention activities in the private sector - by setting up events and platforms, providing advisory support, and engaging the private sector in developing national anti-corruption strategies.\n*   Support and incentivise the private sector to engage in corruption prevention activities and initiatives – by creating tangible business benefits for companies investing in compliance, incentivising companies to externalise their compliance programmes, and supporting compliance certification.\n*   Demonstrate leadership by becoming an active participant in Collective Action - by establishing Collective Action as the go-to approach for engaging with the private sector, implementing integrity tools in public procurement, and fostering compliance in state-owned enterprises.\n\nMany of the members involved in the collaboration are at the forefront of efforts to engage business in anti-corruption activities, often through Collective Action or similar multi-stakeholder approaches.\n\nThe examples they provide cover France, Brazil, Malawi and others.\n\n### Conference discussions – exploring further\n\nThe first panel of our upcoming [International Collective Action Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2022) will further explore this crucial topic – the importance of government engagement and support for Collective Action.\n\nThe panel “Tailwind for Collective Action” on 30 June features the Comptroller General of Chile, the Director General of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Mauritius and the International Affairs Officer of the French Anti-Corruption Agency. Moderated by our Head of Compliance and Collective Action Gemma Aiolfi, the panellists will discuss their support for Collective Action and share experiences in translating commitments into action.\n\nThe speakers' experiences, along with the new guidance, will hopefully help governments progress from committing to using Collective Action to prevent corruption to actually using it to its full potential.\n\n### Learn more\n\nDownload the guidance here: [Engaging the private sector in Collective Action against corruption](http:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fengaging-private-sector-collective-action-against-corruption)\n\nWe are grateful to the NCPA members who contributed their time and expertise to the discussions and document. We also thank the [Siemens Integrity Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fsiemens.com\u002Fintegrity-initiative) for supporting both the Conference and our participation in developing the guidance with our partners at the NCPA.\n\nThe guidance will be updated on a regular basis to continue the discussion around government and private-sector engagement on issues of corruption. Contact Scarlet Wannenwetsch of our [Collective Action team](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fabout) for more information or to contribute to future editions.","2022-06-16","new-guidance-for-governments-to-engage-business-in-preventing-corruption-2237","New guidance for governments to engage business in preventing corruption","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fa723e951-617b-4f48-a194-3287de0cde77?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[220,290,291,221],"HLRM","Integrity Pacts",[128,170,55,293,223],"Anti-corruption interventions",[295,299],{"tags_id":296},{"id":297,"name":298},1373,"Corruption prevention",{"tags_id":300},{"id":301,"name":220},909,2237,[220,290,291,221],[128,170,55,293,223],[],[],[21,220],[],"2022-06-16T13:26:50.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-guidance-for-governments-to-engage-business-in-preventing-corruption-2237",{"left":313,"top":313,"width":314,"height":314,"rotate":313,"vFlip":315,"hFlip":315,"body":316},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>",1780676419918]