[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":324},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-transparent-reconstruction-in-ukraine-ministry-for-restoration-and-basel-institute-on-governance-sign-memorandum-of-cooperation-2425":3,"news-transparent-reconstruction-in-ukraine-ministry-for-restoration-and-basel-institute-on-governance-sign-memorandum-of-cooperation-2425-similar":63,"i-heroicons:arrow-left-20-solid":319},[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":18,"topics":19,"activities":21,"programme":22,"area":22,"websites":23,"language":22,"image":25,"translation_of":22,"countries":36,"tags":58,"authors":59,"images":60,"translations":61,"content":62},10356,"published","2023-03-31T10:01:24.000Z","2026-05-23T09:20:06.000Z","Transparent reconstruction in Ukraine: Ministry for Restoration and Basel Institute on Governance sign Memorandum of Cooperation","News","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",[14],"Private Sector","transparent-reconstruction-in-ukraine-ministry-for-restoration-and-basel-institute-on-governance-sign-memorandum-of-cooperation-2425",[17],"Partnerships",2425,[14,20],"Ukraine",[17],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},"0c954837-9f58-4922-893e-a488e62b694f","local","0c954837-9f58-4922-893e-a488e62b694f.webp","tmp.webp","image\u002Fwebp","2025-05-12T21:12:08.000Z",89604,1400,933,{},[37],{"id":38,"news_id":39,"countries_id":53},7190,{"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":18,"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","b0662e2a-864d-4888-a1b7-4342b7570b30",[14],[17],[14,20],[17],[24],[38],[],[],[],[],[],{"id":54,"name":20,"code":55,"latitude":56,"longitude":57},225,"UA",48.37943,31.16558,[],[],[],[],[],[64,87,121,142,164,184,217,242,267,291],{"id":65,"body":66,"status":6,"type":10,"date":67,"slug":68,"title":69,"image":70,"countries":71,"topic":72,"activity":74,"tags":76,"nid":77,"topics":78,"activities":79,"authors":80,"images":81,"websites":22,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":82,"translations":83,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":84,"user_updated":22,"date_updated":22,"content":85,"link":86},10616,"From grassroots transparency tools to global business integrity networks, this year’s finalists for the [International Collective Action Awards](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fawards) show the breadth, creativity and growing impact of Collective Action around the world.\n\nPublic voting is now open and everyone is invited to help choose the winners.\n\nThe Awards recognise organisations advancing business integrity through Collective Action – bringing together businesses, governments, civil society and other stakeholders to tackle corruption and strengthen fairer, more transparent markets. The winners will be announced during the [6th International Collective Action Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2026) in Basel, Switzerland, on 9–10 June 2026.\n\nPresented by the Basel Institute on Governance since 2022, the Awards celebrate initiatives that demonstrate how Collective Action can deliver practical solutions to shared integrity challenges across sectors and regions.\n\n### A diverse field of finalists\n\nThis year’s finalists reflect the growing diversity of Collective Action initiatives worldwide. They range from long-running international integrity networks supporting small businesses, to innovative digital tools improving transparency in public infrastructure, to emerging platforms creating new opportunities for business engagement in global anti-corruption policymaking.\n\nThe shortlisted initiatives also highlight the geographical reach of Collective Action efforts today, with finalists working across Africa, Latin America, Europe and global multilateral platforms.\n\nAn international jury selected the finalists from a strong field of nominations representing a wide variety of sectors, approaches and partnerships.\n\n### Gretta Fenner Outstanding Achievement in Collective Action\n\nThis category is named in honour of the Basel Institute’s late Managing Director, [Gretta Fenner](https:\u002F\u002Fgretta.baselgovernance.org\u002F). It recognises organisations that have made a sustained and significant contribution to advancing Collective Action and promoting business integrity over time.\n\nThe 2026 finalists are:\n\n*   Alliance for Integrity – a global multi-stakeholder initiative that has built integrity networks across 16 countries and supported hundreds of trainers and companies in strengthening compliance and anti-corruption practices, particularly among SMEs.\n*   Anti-Corruption Collective Action Impact Centre – hosted by the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), the Centre supports locally led anti-corruption initiatives worldwide through mentorship, training and practical implementation support.\n*   Integridad Corporativa 500 (IC500) – a Mexican transparency benchmark initiative that evaluates the anti-corruption policies and governance practices of the country’s 500 largest companies, helping drive measurable improvements in corporate transparency.\n\n### Collective Action Inspirational Newcomer\n\nThe Inspirational Newcomer category recognises initiatives active for fewer than two years that have already shown strong promise and early impact.\n\nThis year’s finalists are:\n\n*   COSP Private Sector Platform – launched by the United Nations Global Compact and UNODC to create new opportunities for private sector participation in global anti-corruption policymaking linked to the UN Convention against Corruption.\n*   CoST Malawi Infrastructure Transparency Initiative: Red Flags Algorithm – an innovative digital tool that uses data analysis to identify potential corruption and procurement risks in public infrastructure projects in Malawi.\n*   TRIPODE: Collective Action for Business Integrity and SME Inclusion in Mexico – a joint initiative helping companies, especially SMEs, navigate integrity expectations through practical guidance, peer learning and public-private dialogue.\n\nAlthough very different in focus, the finalists all demonstrate the value of collaborative approaches in addressing complex integrity challenges – whether through technology, policy engagement or hands-on support for businesses.\n\n### An international jury with deep expertise\n\nThe finalists were pre-selected by an international jury bringing together expertise from governance, anti-corruption, journalism, international law and public policy.\n\nThe jury included Nathalie Delapalme, CEO of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Nicola Bonucci, former OECD Director of Legal Affairs and Basel Institute Board member, Rhoda Weeks-Brown, former General Counsel of the IMF, and award-winning investigative journalist Sheila S. Coronel of Columbia Journalism School.\n\nTheir collective experience spans anti-corruption policy, rule of law, investigative journalism, international governance and responsible business conduct, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of Collective Action itself.\n\n### Cast your vote\n\nPublic voting is open until 2 June 2026.\n\nVisit the [Awards page on the B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fawards) to learn more about the finalists and cast your vote in each category.\n\nThe Collective Action Awards are supported by the Siemens Integrity Initiative.","2026-05-20","cast-your-vote-in-the-2026-collective-action-awards-2969","Cast your vote in the 2026 Collective Action Awards","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fa69747f0-c2e6-48f5-8e19-4e059e545b2f?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[73,14],"Collective Action",[75],"",[],2969,[73,14],[],[],[],"English",[],"2026-06-04T21:13:46.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fcast-your-vote-in-the-2026-collective-action-awards-2969",{"id":88,"body":89,"status":6,"type":90,"date":91,"slug":92,"title":93,"image":94,"countries":95,"topic":96,"activity":97,"tags":99,"nid":111,"topics":112,"activities":113,"authors":114,"images":115,"websites":22,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":82,"translations":116,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":117,"user_updated":41,"date_updated":118,"content":119,"link":120},10621,"In this article, Celia Lourens examines the role of cross-sectoral trust for a functional business environment. Collective Action, she argues, can be an approach to overcoming trust deficits between relevant stakeholders. Celia Lourens supports the organisation of our 6th International Collective Action Conference.\n\nAt its core, anti-corruption Collective Action is about tackling corruption challenges together, rather than alone. Collective Action is primarily driven by businesses, often in collaboration with government representatives and civil society, to address a shared challenge and attain a common objective.\n\nBuilding trust is one critical element of Collective Action efforts, as it requires a genuine and sustained willingness from all involved stakeholders to collaborate.\n\n### Trust across sectors: the foundation of effective markets\n\nMarkets depend on trust – not only between businesses and their customers or employees and their organisational leadership, but between the institutions that shape the business environment:\n\n*   Business relies on regulatory bodies to create fair and predictable markets.\n*   Governments depend on businesses to act with integrity, beyond merely meeting compliance requirements.\n*   Civil society holds both public and private sectors accountable whilst advancing transparency and public confidence.\n\nWhere these relationships are founded in trust, business ecosystems function more effectively and markets remain stable.\n\nYet, cross-sector trust is increasingly under strain. Geopolitical volatility, tightening regulations and elevated complexity within supply chains are creating distance between the very actors who need to collaborate.\n\n### The cost of low-trust systems\n\nWhen trust between the private sector, government and civil society breaks down, the consequences are immediate: slower transactions, higher compliance costs and due diligence burdens, duplicated oversight and heightened reputational risk. Oversight becomes adversarial, compliance turns reactive and businesses invest more time managing risks than creating value.\n\nIn an era of heightened competitiveness, trust across sectors becomes the most valuable currency. Where it is systemically weak, a vicious cycle takes hold: low trust demands heightened scrutiny and more controls, which in turn erode trust further. Government enforcement of standards becomes inconsistent and civil society turns sceptical rather than being a partner.\n\nBreaking this cycle requires a different approach – one built on shared commitment, sustained engagement and coordinated action. This is where Collective Action comes into play.\n\n### Collective Action as a trust-building mechanism\n\nIn practice, Collective Action enables organisations to jointly raise integrity standards across industries, develop sector-specific norms and tackle systemic risks such as bribery and unethical conduct. Its ultimate objective – and the key incentive to participate in Collective Action initiatives – is to create fairer, more transparent markets where companies can compete on equal terms.\n\nBut beyond its role as an anti-corruption approach, Collective Action also serves as a powerful trust-building mechanism. In a low-trust environment, individual organisations acting ethically on their own can find themselves at a disadvantage. Collective Action changes this dynamic. Shared commitments level the playing field, the involvement of multiple stakeholders builds credibility and joint accountability mechanisms increase transparency.\n\nOver time, this collaborative approach fosters trust where it is hardest to achieve – between actors with different roles, responsibilities and pressures. The result is a shift in systemic behaviour that lowers the cost of doing business and drives a more predictable business environment.\n\n### From compliance to competitive advantage\n\nToo often, doing business with integrity is treated as a compliance obligation rather than a source of competitive advantage. Yet, in high-trust business environments, stronger partnerships and faster decision-making enable organisations to withstand disruptions. Organisations invested in building trust across their business ecosystem are better positioned to navigate complexity and sustain long-term value.\n\nCollective Action supports this shift by helping to shape markets that reward integrity, moving beyond a risk mitigation exercise.\n\n### Building trust in practice\n\nThis is exactly the focus of the [6th International Collective Action Conference](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2026), taking place on 9–10 June 2026 in Basel, Switzerland.\n\nBringing together leaders from business, government and civil society, the conference is designed as a space not just for dialogue, but for practical exchange. It showcases how Collective Action initiatives are being implemented across sectors, what makes them effective and how they can be adapted to different contexts.\n\nThe conference reflects a core conviction: trust across sectors does not happen by default but must be actively built. Organisations that commit to building trust together, as a collective, will not only manage risks more effectively, but help shape a new competitive advantage rooted in integrity.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   [6th International Collective Action Conference 2026](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2026)\n*   [B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com)\n*   Working Paper 56: [Anti-corruption Collective Action: A typology for a new era](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2397)\n*   Book: [Collective Action in practice: a game-changer for business integrity](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2407)","Blog","2026-04-20","building-trust-how-collective-action-strengthens-business-ecosystems-2959","Building trust: how Collective Action strengthens business ecosystems","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fc470512d-6eaf-404e-86ec-545ebd052655?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[73,14],[98],"Insights",[100,103,107],{"tags_id":101},{"id":102,"name":73},909,{"tags_id":104},{"id":105,"name":106},830,"Business integrity",{"tags_id":108},{"id":109,"name":110},982,"Anti-corruption",2959,[73,14],[98],[],[],[],"2026-06-04T21:13:50.000Z","2026-06-05T10:40:20.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fbuilding-trust-how-collective-action-strengthens-business-ecosystems-2959",{"id":122,"body":123,"status":6,"type":10,"date":124,"slug":125,"title":126,"image":127,"countries":128,"topic":129,"activity":130,"tags":132,"nid":133,"topics":134,"activities":135,"authors":136,"images":137,"websites":22,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":82,"translations":138,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":139,"user_updated":22,"date_updated":22,"content":140,"link":141},10610,"Nominations are now open for the [International Anti-Corruption Collective Action Awards 2026](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fawards\u002F), recognising organisations and initiatives that demonstrate leadership, impact and innovation in advancing Collective Action to prevent corruption and strengthen business integrity.\n\nThe awards will be presented at the [International Collective Action Conference 2026](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fregistration-open-6th-international-collective-action-conference), taking place on 9–10 June 2026 in Basel, Switzerland.\n\nOrganisations and initiatives can submit their nomination for two award categories:\n\n*   Gretta Fenner Outstanding Achievement in Collective Action 2026 – acknowledging significant contributions towards fairer market conditions and the prevention of corruption through engagement in Collective Action.\n*   Collective Action Inspirational Newcomer 2026 – showcase accomplishments of initiatives that have been active in the field of anti-corruption Collective Action for less than two years.\n\nNomination are open until 27 March 2026.\n\nThe anti-corruption Collective Action Awards are non-monetary and will only be granted to organisations, not individuals. \n\n### Selection process\n\nEligible nominations will be reviewed by an international jury of experts. The three highest-scoring initiatives in each category will be shortlisted as finalists. Winners will then be determined through a combined vote of the jury and the public, with each jury member and the public vote carrying equal weight.\n\nPublic voting will take place online and will be anonymous. \n\n#### Jury members\n\nThe 2026 jury includes:\n\n*   Nathalie Delapalme, Chief Executive Officer of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation\n*   Nicola Bonucci, Board Member of the Basel Institute on Governance and former Director for Legal Affairs at the OECD\n*   Rhoda Weeks-Brown, Founder and CEO of Cape Palmas Global Advisors LLC and former General Counsel of the IMF\n\nThe awards are presented with the support of the [Siemens Integrity Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fnews\u002Fbasel-institute-awarded-new-siemens-integrity-initiative-evolve-funding-advance-global).\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   For more information on the eligibility criteria, the selection process and the public vote, see our [award methodology](https:\u002F\u002Fb20-dev.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fa54d560f-0d11-439a-ac88-8bf89a6a2120).\n*   Learn more on the [B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F), the Basel Institute's platform for knowledge and engagement on anti-corruption Collective Action.","2026-03-04","international-collective-action-awards-2026-nominations-open-2941","International Collective Action Awards 2026: nominations open","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F7d9267b4-5c9c-4c0d-81a2-a1ca5c34eaa9?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[73,14],[131],"Events",[],2941,[73,14],[131],[],[],[],"2026-04-15T22:45:21.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Finternational-collective-action-awards-2026-nominations-open-2941",{"id":143,"body":144,"status":6,"type":10,"date":145,"slug":146,"title":147,"image":148,"countries":149,"topic":151,"activity":152,"tags":153,"nid":154,"topics":155,"activities":156,"authors":157,"images":158,"websites":22,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":82,"translations":159,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":160,"user_updated":40,"date_updated":161,"content":162,"link":163},10601,"The only international anti-corruption Collective Action Conference is back!\n\nAre you working on corruption prevention in the private sector, government, civil society or academia?\n\nThen join us for the sixth edition of this biannual landmark event on 9–10 June in Basel, Switzerland.\n\nOver one and a half days of expert sessions, fireside chats and networking, we’ll bring together practitioners from around the world to build and strengthen communities of practice in Collective Action.\n\nThis edition will focus on concrete measures to make markets fairer and more transparent – with a strong hands-on approach:\n\n*   What does Collective Action look like in practice, and what makes it work?\n*   How can a multi-stakeholder approach help organisations respond more effectively to global business challenges?\n\nThe 6th International Collective Action Conference is supported by the Siemens Integrity Initiative. Participation is free of charge, but places are limited and subject to approval. \n\nLearn more on the [official event page on the B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Ficac-2026) and [submit your registration request here](https:\u002F\u002Fdocs.google.com\u002Fforms\u002Fd\u002Fe\u002F1FAIpQLSeoO9mw-xZxNATMMIIr7vPqUqBPEWuOXW-AT2t3WXiYYMysaw\u002Fviewform).\n\n### Sponsorship opportunities\n\nWe are seeking a limited number of sponsors to support the conference and help advance practical, multi-stakeholder approaches to business integrity and anti-corruption. [See more information on sponsorship options and benefits](https:\u002F\u002Fb20-dev.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fb9939e69-4813-4b44-903e-2ab705068d45) and don't hesitate to get in touch.","2026-02-16","registration-open-6th-international-collective-action-conference-2933","Registration open: 6th International Collective Action Conference","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F40e65081-b8a4-44f9-b6d1-b16f6a5083be?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[150],7804,[73,14],[131,17],[],2933,[73,14],[131,17],[],[],[],"2026-02-27T15:07:17.000Z","2026-02-27T15:07:18.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fregistration-open-6th-international-collective-action-conference-2933",{"id":165,"body":166,"status":6,"type":10,"date":167,"slug":168,"title":169,"image":170,"countries":171,"topic":172,"activity":173,"tags":174,"nid":175,"topics":176,"activities":177,"authors":178,"images":179,"websites":22,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":82,"translations":180,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":181,"user_updated":22,"date_updated":22,"content":182,"link":183},10593,"We are pleased to announce that the Basel Institute on Governance has received funding through the [Siemens Integrity Initiative](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.siemens.com\u002Fintegrity-initiative)’s Evolve Funding Round. This fresh support will help launch the new global project \"Unlocking the Potential of Collective Action\".\n\nThis new funding marks the next chapter in a partnership that began in 2009 and has played a decisive role in shaping today’s global Collective Action landscape for more than 15 years.\n\n### Unlocking the potential of Collective Action\n\nThrough this three-year initiative, the Basel Institute will work with partners across ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and South Africa to strengthen [Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F) as a practical tool to prevent corruption.\n\nThe project combines tailored mentoring, technical assistance and peer learning with an embedded train-the-trainer approach. By empowering local champions to design and drive initiatives that respond to evolving risks and sector-specific challenges, the project aims to ensure that Collective Action remains resilient over time.\n\nBeyond capacity building, the initiative seeks to further embed Collective Action as a recognised global norm. By engaging a critical mass of public- and private-sector stakeholders, it will help transform high-level commitments into meaningful collaboration that strengthens integrity and levels the playing field.\n\nWe are deeply grateful to Siemens for their continued partnership and support through the Evolve round. Together, we look forward to reinforcing Collective Action as an impactful, long-term approach to creating fairer markets.\n\n### About the Siemens Integrity Initiative\n\nThe Siemens Integrity Initiative is a global programme that promotes fair competition and fights corruption by supporting Collective Action and education & training projects worldwide. Since 2009, it has funded 85 projects in more than 50 countries, helping strengthen legal and policy frameworks, build trust among stakeholders, and create level playing fields in high-risk markets.\n\nThrough its new Evolve Funding Round, the Initiative continues to expand this impact by investing in long-term, collaborative efforts that equip leaders and institutions to prevent corruption and drive sustainable ethical change.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   Discover more about the Siemens Integrity Initiative, its global portfolio and the new Evolve funding round on their [official website](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.siemens.com\u002Fintegrity-initiative).\n*   To explore tools, case studies and resources on Collective Action, visit the Basel Institute’s dedicated global platform, the [Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F).","2025-12-11","basel-institute-awarded-new-siemens-integrity-initiative-evolve-funding-to-advance-global-collective-action-2884","Basel Institute awarded new Siemens Integrity Initiative Evolve funding to advance global Collective Action","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002F0307e41d-b638-4c77-84f1-c7abcd462d72?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[73,14],[17],[],2884,[73,14],[17],[],[],[],"2025-12-11T11:01:41.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fbasel-institute-awarded-new-siemens-integrity-initiative-evolve-funding-to-advance-global-collective-action-2884",{"id":185,"body":186,"status":6,"type":90,"date":187,"slug":188,"title":189,"image":190,"countries":191,"topic":193,"activity":194,"tags":195,"nid":206,"topics":207,"activities":208,"authors":209,"images":211,"websites":22,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":82,"translations":212,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":213,"user_updated":41,"date_updated":214,"content":215,"link":216},10578,"_Ukraine is already central to Europe’s security. Its defence manufacturers are increasingly eligible for participation in the rapidly growing EU defence procurements. However, unless Ukraine’s defence manufacturers are able to meet strict EU anti-corruption and ESG standards, they risk being shut out of EU supply chains. Europe needs Ukraine’s battlefield-tested innovation and production capacity, yet compliance gaps and unclear expectations are slowing integration. Juhani Grossmann, who leads the Basel Institute’s anti-corruption programme in Ukraine, explains how joint actions to overcome compliance barriers can help secure Ukraine’s place in Europe’s defence ecosystem and strengthen our collective security._\n\n### Ukraine’s central role in EU defence\n\nThe last three and a half years have been hard fought in Ukraine. Ukrainian resilience on the battlefield is legendary. The unparalleled military support from Ukraine’s allies, fused with its own relentless technical innovation, have forged bonds that could define Europe’s emerging security infrastructure.\n\nDaring political decisions by Ukraine and its allies have hastened this integration. Among them: the European Union has adopted the Security Action For Europe ([SAFE](https:\u002F\u002Fdefence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu\u002Feu-defence-industry\u002Fsafe-security-action-europe_en)) mechanism, using its combined fiscal firepower to raise low-cost loans on capital markets to encourage joint military procurement.\n\nSAFE explicitly includes Ukrainian firms in its stringent corporate and sourcing geographical origin requirements, which are designed to stimulate a native European defence industry. This recognises both Ukraine’s ongoing contribution to Europe’s security and the value of the country’s combat-driven technical innovations. From this angle, Ukraine’s defence industry is now even more critical to the EU than the UK, historically the continent’s dominant player.\n\n### Europe is vulnerable – but can’t meet its demand for defence hardware\n\nThe United States’ interest in taking responsibility for European and global security is waning, while Russia continues to probe Europe’s hard and soft defences.\n\nFeeling justifiably vulnerable, European nations have therefore committed to a huge increase in defence spending, which could reach [EUR 2 trillion](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.consilium.europa.eu\u002Fen\u002Fpolicies\u002Fdefence-numbers\u002F) over the next five years.\n\nYet EU defence industry leaders struggle to manufacture defence equipment in sufficient quality and quantity to meet the unprecedented demand and lack the battlefield-tested innovations that are at the core of Ukraine’s industry.\n\n### Ukraine could help meet demand for military equipment\n\nPartly due to the above dynamics, deep public debates are taking place in Ukraine about lifting a _de facto_ ban on the export of military goods in place since the full-scale invasion. The government is establishing [defence production offices in Berlin and Copenhagen](https:\u002F\u002Fkyivindependent.com\u002Fukraine-to-open-defense-production-offices-in-berlin-copenhagen-this-year-zelensky-says\u002F) to facilitate limited export.\n\nThis sounds counterintuitive, considering the devastating shortage of materiel at the front. Yet the truth is: Ukraine’s military is simply unable to afford all the weaponry that its manufacturers can deliver. So, the economic argument for export is strong:\n\n*   Selling excess capacity for a profit could generate significant revenue.\n*   That revenue could be used for economies of scale in production as well as for research and development.\n*   The resulting taxes would allow the state to increase the procurement of materiel for its own troops.\n\nIn a confirmation of the compelling market forces, Ukrainian drone manufacturers have started investments in Europe to set up production outside of Ukraine.\n\nThey certainly have products that would be marketable: their innovation has resulted in weekly software updates and continued hardware improvements. The more traditional howitzers, tanks and armoured personnel carriers are cost competitive and highly scalable. Battlefield command and control software is reported to be top notch.\n\n### What could derail Ukraine’s integration in EU defence markets\n\nOn the surface, the pieces of the puzzle of European defence are aligning neatly. But one major obstacle needs to be cleared for a healthy and thriving trade: Ukrainian defence manufacturers must meet EU standards on anti-corruption compliance and related environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters.\n\nThese include issues such as sustainable sourcing of aviation fuel, employee protections and human rights across the supply chain, as well as good governance of these topics. They also include regulations and standards on integrity and anti-corruption.\n\nThe defence sector globally is struggling to meet many of these requirements. And Ukraine’s fast-growing innovators have understandably not prioritised such matters over the wartime need to deliver at speed.\n\nWithout a rapid move to address this shortfall, Ukraine’s innovators could be shut out from European markets. The EU defence industry – and its citizens – would in turn be deprived of crucial expertise, leaving all allies weaker and poorer. Temptations would mount to soften standards, as is already the case with [fiscal probity requirements](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.consilium.europa.eu\u002Fen\u002Fpress\u002Fpress-releases\u002F2025\u002F10\u002F10\u002Feconomic-governance-council-approves-germany-s-fiscal-expenditure-path-and-its-flexibility-to-increase-defence-spending\u002F) when it pertains to military spending.\n\nThat would be a mistake for both Ukraine and its European allies. Instead, overcoming these challenges could be a boost for both the EU and the Ukrainian defence industry and further cement their partnership.\n\n### Robust internal controls bring many benefits\n\nThe measures required to attain EU standards on anti-corruption compliance and related ESG topics are no doubt arduous. Solid internal control systems, which can produce verifiable data, will need to be established.\n\nBut that brings solid benefits. Information from internal control systems will help to convince customers that the products they are literally entrusting their lives to are reliable, safe and effective. It will provide the basis for ESG reporting in future.\n\nAnd while the effectiveness of Ukraine’s defence systems is convincingly demonstrated through frontline usage, as its defence industry matures, it could greatly benefit from the efficiencies that robust internal control systems bring. \n\n### Challenges meeting EU regulations\n\nEuropean defence firms are eager to work with Ukrainian partners, yet are finding it difficult to meet their own regulatory obligations at the same time. We see several reasons for this:\n\n*   Sourcing of components is swift, creative and results driven. Without control systems, companies might struggle to verifiably certify their ability to meet the SAFE requirement that 65 percent of the weapon’s value must originate from EU\u002FEEA\u002FEFTA member states or Ukraine.\n*   Corporate ownership structures in Ukraine can be challenging for due diligence – particularly when it comes to establishing ultimate beneficial owners of companies.\n*   There is a lack of consensus on what good anti-corruption and ethics policy implementation looks like. This leaves Ukrainian partners unsure of the priorities, direction and speed of any required internal reforms.\n*   Track and trace measures are insufficiently robust. This makes it hard to reliably avoid sanctions violations in the procurement of components and to ensure environmentally sustainable sourcing of raw materials.\n*   Wartime lack of physical access to sites makes traditional verification mechanisms impossible.\n\nThese obstacles are formidable and have the potential to threaten otherwise promising partnerships.\n\n### There is a joint path forward\n\nThankfully, we see a strong desire on both sides to navigate a path through these obstacles.\n\n*   Reforms are progressing fast. Ukrainian Defence Industry, the holding company for the majority of state-owned defence manufacturers, has made impressive strides in adopting reforms at the top level. It is gradually cascading these down to the 50+ companies under its purview, including the producers of such notable products as the _Lyutii_ drone, the _Neptune_ subsonic cruise missile_,_ the _Bohdana_ howitzer and the _Stugna_\u002F_Skif_ anti-tank missile. While a long road remains to reform these highly traditional producers, the political will and technical capacity at the top are formidable.\n*   Anti-corruption policies are being implemented. The more established private manufacturers are increasingly adopting and publicising ethics and anti-corruption policies. They are also implementing and developing channels for reporting violations of integrity standards, and organising contractual activities based on ethical and compliance requirements.\n*   Engagement is strengthening. European manufacturers, who act as both suppliers and potential customers, are keen to engage more closely with their existing or potential Ukrainian partners to smooth the compliance obstacles as their relationships develop. These manufacturers are also keen to bolster their own contextual understanding of the operating environment in Ukraine, allowing them to manage the reputational and legal risks more professionally.\n*   Corruption is being investigated and prosecuted. Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are making significant headway in pursuing officials and company representatives who are willing to use criminal behaviour, including corruption, to personally benefit from wartime deprivations.\n*   Risk prevention measures are underway. The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) is leading the process of conducting a comprehensive risk assessment in the defence sector.\n*   International support is there. Increasingly, Ukrainian and international policy and advisory supporters are engaging in the sector. This includes the International Forum on Business Ethical Conduct for the Aerospace and Defence Industry ([IFBEC](http:\u002F\u002Fifbec.info\u002F)), NATO’s [Building Integrity](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nato.int\u002Fcps\u002Fen\u002Fnatohq\u002Ftopics_68368.htm) programme and Norway’s Centre for Integrity in the Defence Sector ([CIDS](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.regjeringen.no\u002Fen\u002Ftopics\u002Fdefence\u002Fcentre-for-integrity-in-the-defence-sector-cids\u002Fid3114785\u002F)). The Basel Institute on Governance has recently commenced efforts in this space through funding from Norway.\n\nTogether, these efforts have the potential to make significant progress in overcoming obstacles.\n\n### How to accelerate progress\n\nWhile progress is happening, it is still insufficient given the urgency of the security situation in Europe. That is why we propose the following five catalysts:\n\n*   Set clear compliance requirements. EU member states at the forefront of defence procurement should spell out their internal control and anti-corruption requirements in plain and detailed terms. This would enable Ukrainian firms to participate in projects, either in collaboration with EU partners or independently. Providing early support and education would help potential Ukrainian partners meet these standards quicker.\n*   Improve implementation and verification systems. Industry associations should strengthen their anti-corruption standards and\u002For guidance by creating clear systems for implementation, verification and measurement.\n*   Allow time to comply. Companies should share their subcontracting compliance requirements with prospective partners well ahead of procurement deadlines, and work with them to build the systems needed to meet these standards.\n*   Share risk insights. Independent corruption risk assessment findings in the defence manufacturing sector, in both Europe and Ukraine, should be shared widely within the professional community.\n*   Collective integrity standards. Private manufacturers in Ukraine should create joint anti-corruption standards, ideally through a [Collective Action](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F) approach – i.e. involving all relevant stakeholders working together in a trust-based environment over a sustained period of time. This would help stop individual companies using corrupt practices while others play fair, and reduce compliance costs for individual companies.\n\nAt the Basel Institute we are proud to continue and expand our work in this space with the generous support of Norway. We welcome partners to join these efforts and help ensure Ukraine’s defence innovation becomes a permanent pillar of Europe’s security.","2025-11-06","ukraines-place-in-europes-defence-industry-could-compliance-catalyse-integration-2868","Ukraine’s place in Europe’s defence industry: could compliance catalyse integration?","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fc5b007eb-82d5-4cda-a6e1-773cfa16ad5d?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[192],7800,[75],[98,17],[196,200,202],{"tags_id":197},{"id":198,"name":199},1376,"Defence and security",{"tags_id":201},{"id":109,"name":110},{"tags_id":203},{"id":204,"name":205},1303,"Environment",2868,[20],[98,17],[210],1357,[],[],"2025-11-06T17:01:42.000Z","2026-05-23T09:18:31.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fukraines-place-in-europes-defence-industry-could-compliance-catalyse-integration-2868",{"id":218,"body":219,"status":6,"type":10,"date":220,"slug":221,"title":222,"image":223,"countries":224,"topic":227,"activity":229,"tags":230,"nid":231,"topics":232,"activities":233,"authors":234,"images":235,"websites":22,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":82,"translations":236,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":237,"user_updated":238,"date_updated":239,"content":240,"link":241},10574,"We are delighted to announce a new grant that will enable the Basel Institute on Governance to continue and expand its support to Ukraine on integrity and accountability.\n\nThrough the Government of Norway's [Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.norad.no\u002Fen\u002Fthematic-areas\u002Fhumanitarian-assistance-and-comprehensive-response-and-the-nansen-programme-for-ukraine\u002Fthe-nansen-support-programme-for-ukraine\u002Fthe-nansen-support-programme-for-ukraine\u002Fhow-norad-fights-corruption-in-ukraine\u002F), the Basel Institute will work from 2025 to 2028 to promote transparency and accountability in three strategically vital sectors:\n\n*   Natural resources: Tackling corruption risks in forestry and the critical minerals sector, building on our long-standing work to combat [corruption in Ukraine’s forestry industry](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fdeepdive1-ukraine) and the expertise of our wider [Green Corruption programme](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fgreen-corruption).\n*   Energy: Supporting transparency and accountability in energy-related enterprises. In the first year, this will begin with our collaboration with the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (Gas TSO), a vital state-owned enterprise with which we recently [signed a Memorandum of Understanding](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002Fgas.tso.ua\u002Fphotos\u002F%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80-%D0%B3%D1%82%D1%81-%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%97%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%87%D0%B0%D0%B2-%D1%81%D0%BF%D1%96%D0%B2%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%86%D1%8E-%D0%B7-%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%81%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%BC-%D1%96%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%82%D1%83%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BC-%D1%83%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BB%D1%96%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8F-%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80\u002F1414177947376981\u002F) to establish a comprehensive anti-corruption compliance system.\n*   Defence industries: Strengthening compliance and integrity systems in defence manufacturers as they produce vital materiel for Ukraine’s defence and integrate with Europe’s broader security architecture. This builds on our ongoing partnership with [Ukraine Defense Industries](https:\u002F\u002Fukroboronprom.com.ua\u002Fen\u002Fupravlinnya-ta-komplajens\u002Fat-uop-i-bazelskii-institut-upravlinnya-proveli-persu-zustric-v-ramkax-spivpraci-shhodo-posilennya-vnutrisnix-komplajens-spromoznosteiopk) (UkrOboronProm or UOP).\n\n### Strengthening integrity where it matters most\n\nThis programme is significant because natural resources, energy and defence are at the heart of Ukraine’s resilience and recovery. They are essential for the country’s security, economic stability and EU integration – yet also among the most vulnerable to corruption.\n\nWeak governance in these sectors risks undermining resilience, slowing reconstruction and eroding donor confidence.\n\nThe Government of Norway [recognises](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.norad.no\u002Fen\u002Fthematic-areas\u002Fhumanitarian-assistance-and-comprehensive-response-and-the-nansen-programme-for-ukraine\u002Fthe-nansen-support-programme-for-ukraine\u002Fthe-nansen-support-programme-for-ukraine\u002Fhow-norad-fights-corruption-in-ukraine\u002F) that “combating corruption and building strong institutions are central” to achieving the goals of its comprehensive Nansen Support Programme, which aims to “help secure a safe, free and independent Ukraine, strengthen vital state functions and reduce human suffering”. Like the Basel Institute, our partners in Norway acknowledge Ukraine’s progress in tackling corruption and the strong commitment of Ukrainian civil society and the public to building robust anti-corruption institutions.\n\n### Sustaining Ukraine’s path to resilience\n\nJorun Nossum, Director of Norad’s Department for the Nansen Support Programme, said:\n\n> We are very pleased to be able to continue our partnership with Basel Institute on Governance in working to prevent corruption in sectors central to Ukraine’s resistance and reforms.\n\nJuhani Grossmann, who leads the Basel Institute’s work in Ukraine and the opening of our new office in Kyiv, commented:\n\n> The support of Norway allows us to boost our integrity-building partnerships in Ukraine for the long term at a time when reliability is especially crucial. The three priority areas have been carefully selected to reflect both Ukraine's immediate needs and the desire for a sustainable recovery.\n> \n> Our natural resource partnerships will seek to ensure Ukraine’s people derive the maximum benefit from its environment and natural resources. Our energy partnerships will help build trustworthy energy partners as Ukraine integrates into European energy markets. Our defence partnerships are designed to enable Ukraine’s manufacturers to reap the full benefits for Ukraine’s security from their technical prowess.\n> \n> Enhanced and more compliant corporate structures will unlock Ukraine’s full potential to contribute to Europe’s emerging security infrastructure.\n\n### A decade of partnership with Ukraine\n\nAs featured in the [Basel Institute’s Annual Report 2024](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Far2024), we have been engaged in Ukraine for over a decade, supporting both corruption prevention and enforcement.\n\nOn the prevention side, our work since 2013 has included Collective Action and compliance initiatives in government permitting and corporate governance. We have also advised on the establishment of the Business Ombudsman, provided guidance to the Ukrainian Road Authority and supported independent commissions tasked with recruiting leaders of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions.\n\nFollowing the full-scale invasion in 2022, we significantly expanded our anti-corruption support, recognising it as both a contribution to Ukraine’s long-term European integration and to its short-term wartime resilience.\n\nWith significant funding from Switzerland and contributions from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and NEFCO, we have helped Ukrainian authorities and state-owned enterprises ensure the integrity of the wartime economy and reconstruction efforts. Priority areas have included restoration, transport and natural resources.","2025-10-20","strengthening-integrity-in-ukraines-natural-resources-energy-and-defence-sectors-with-norways-support-2857","Strengthening integrity in Ukraine’s natural resources, energy and defence sectors with Norway’s support","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fc22c8770-c1ad-4fd3-8af1-7174cdbe6b0b?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[225,226],7797,7798,[228,14],"Green Corruption",[17],[],2857,[228,14],[17],[],[],[],"2025-10-20T16:01:43.000Z","dfef11db-1bc6-47e9-a61d-93443995484b","2026-05-08T21:11:16.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fstrengthening-integrity-in-ukraines-natural-resources-energy-and-defence-sectors-with-norways-support-2857",{"id":243,"body":244,"status":6,"type":90,"date":245,"slug":246,"title":247,"image":248,"countries":249,"topic":250,"activity":251,"tags":253,"nid":254,"topics":255,"activities":256,"authors":257,"images":261,"websites":22,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":82,"translations":262,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":263,"user_updated":40,"date_updated":264,"content":265,"link":266},10571,"Around the world, businesses, civil society and governments are working together in initiatives to address corruption risks that no single actor can resolve on their own. \n\nInitiatives might be set up to reduce bribe demands in ports, for example, or harmonise compliance frameworks in the metals technology industry, or help small businesses in Thailand enhance their anti-corruption credentials and thereby improve their business prospects. We have recorded more than 300 such initiatives in the database of our B20 Collective Action Hub from across the world and in multiple industries.\n\nSo it is clear that Collective Action – as an umbrella term for these diverse multi-stakeholder initiatives – is now firmly established as part of the anti-corruption landscape. \n\nYet this very diversity poses a challenge. Initiatives come in many forms, pursue different goals and operate in widely varying political and institutional settings. That makes it difficult to draw meaningful comparisons or to understand, in a systematic way, what works best in which circumstances.\n\nAs part of the Basel Institute’s decades-long efforts to advance anti-corruption Collective Action, this challenge became the starting point for a multi-year project. The project, funded by the Siemens Integrity Initiative, set out to strengthen the evidence base for Collective Action. \n\nWe wanted to know: how can we describe and analyse Collective Action in a way that respects its diversity but still allows for consistency and comparability?\n\nThe answers matter for all those who care about being effective in countering corruption and creating fairer, cleaner and more competitive business environments. You can find them in our [_Working Paper 57: Mapping and strengthening the evidence base for anti-corruption Collective Action_](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fwp-57) – which is summarised below.\n\n### The challenge of “cutting the cake”\n\nDeveloping a conceptual framework was far from straightforward. Collective Action can be “cut” in many different ways. \n\n*   Should we focus on what initiatives do: training, codes of conduct, strengthening industry standards? \n*   Or on who participates: companies or business associations, governments, non-profit or civil society organisations – or a combination of these and potentially others? \n*   Should we look at their goals, such as strengthening compliance systems or influencing laws? \n*   Or at their level of formality, from voluntary declarations to binding agreements?\n\nEach lens has value, but none alone captures the full picture. Our task was to weave these perspectives together into a framework that could accommodate complexity while still generating clarity. \n\nWe drew on models of system change, organisational decision-making, network formation and impact pathways. Taken together, these offered a dynamic picture of how initiatives emerge, why organisations choose to join, how networks are built and governed, and how their actions might contribute to wider change.\n\nThe framework we developed is not intended to provide definitive answers. Rather, it creates a shared language and a set of guiding questions. \n\nIt allows practitioners, policymakers and researchers to explore initiatives in a structured way; to test assumptions, compare across contexts and build knowledge cumulatively rather than in isolated case studies.\n\n### From framework to evidence\n\nTo see if the framework could work in practice, we turned to the [B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Finitiatives), the world’s largest repository of anti-corruption Collective Action initiatives. The Basel Institute launched the Hub in 2013 following a mandate from the B20 group of business leaders and has developed and enhanced it over the last 12 years. \n\nWe carefully reviewed and reclassified initiatives in the database, creating new categories of mission, scope, activities and stakeholder composition. The result was not just a cleaner dataset, but also a more solid foundation for analysis.\n\nThis process revealed important patterns. Most initiatives remain focused on fostering engagement between stakeholders through awareness-raising, dialogue and practical tools. Such activities are often vital entry points where trust is low or enforcement is weak. \n\nThis emphasis on prevention – addressing root causes rather than relying solely on detection and punishment – is also where these initiatives make their strongest contribution: building capacity, equipping companies with tools and fostering trust-based cooperation that reduces opportunities for corruption. \n\nMore formal and arguably more ambitious activities, such as developing self-regulatory standards or seeking external monitoring for certifications for example, are rarer – but may develop over time as relationships and capacities mature.\n\nContext also matters to how Collective Action initiatives operate and what they achieve. Our analysis confirmed that broader reforms, such as transparency standards or legal change, are more likely to take hold in open democratic settings with a strong rule of law. In more restrictive environments, narrower, company-level initiatives like strengthening internal compliance systems may be the realistic starting point. \n\n### Strengthening the evidence base\n\nBeyond insights into today’s landscape of anti-corruption Collective Action, the project has also generated practical tools to help strengthen the evidence base for the future. We have: \n\n*   introduced a set of guiding questions that practitioners and researchers can use when designing or analysing initiatives;\n*    produced a new reporting protocol that encourages more consistent and transparent data sharing, so that future initiatives can be compared more reliably; and \n*   refined the global dataset itself, making it a richer resource for both practice and research.\n\nTaken together, these outputs offer both a conceptual foundation and a practical toolbox. They offer ways to link the design and activities of Collective Action initiatives to plausible outcomes, and to situate those outcomes within broader governance environments.\n\n### Key lessons for practitioners, policymakers and researchers\n\nFor practitioners, the central lesson is to design with context in mind. What works in one setting may not be feasible in another. In environments with weaker rule of law or restricted civic space, modest, company-focused initiatives can still lay important foundations. \n\nIn more open settings, broader collaborations that aim for systemic reforms may be realistic and worthwhile.\n\nFor policymakers, the message is to see Collective Action as a complement to formal anti-corruption institutions and efforts, not a substitute. By fostering dialogue, developing practical tools and raising standards of integrity, these initiatives can reinforce prevention efforts and bridge the gap between policy commitments and implementation on the ground. \n\nThat is why it is important for governments to support Collective Action with recognition and resources. \n\nFor researchers, the key takeaway is the importance of building the evidence base systematically. Our framework, refined dataset and reporting protocol are designed to enable more consistent comparison and more robust testing of assumptions. Longitudinal and case-based studies, in particular, will be essential to understand how initiatives evolve and where they deliver the greatest impact.\n\nThis kind of research will be of great practical value to both practitioners and policymakers seeking to harness the power of Collective Action to achieve anti-corruption or economic development goals.\n\n### Looking ahead\n\nThe strength of Collective Action lies in its adaptability: the ability of diverse actors to come together, often in difficult circumstances, to find practical solutions to challenges of corruption and fair business. But adaptability must be matched by clarity if the field is to grow stronger.\n\nBy offering a shared framework, a refined dataset and practical tools for reporting and reflection, this project contributes to building that clarity. It does not close the debate but opens it wider, inviting practitioners, researchers and policymakers to engage with a more coherent evidence base and to help refine it further.\n\nThe message is clear: to strengthen Collective Action as an effective part of the anti-corruption toolkit, we need to learn from it systematically and plough those learnings back into policy and practice. This paper offers an important step in that direction.\n\n### Learn more\n\n*   [Download the full paper and its practical annexes](https:\u002F\u002Fbaselgovernance.org\u002Fpublications\u002Fwp-57).\n*   The Collective Action team at the Basel Institute on Governance provides a free advice service for anti-corruption practitioners and other professionals or government officials. Contact the [B20 Collective Action Hub Helpdesk](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fhelpdesk).","2025-08-26","collective-action-against-corruption-what-works-best-and-why-2843","Collective Action against corruption: what works best and why?","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fef76f772-e0c4-4e5f-899e-40c89f892860?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[],[73,14],[252],"Research",[],2843,[73,14],[252],[258,259,260],1352,1353,1354,[],[],"2025-09-08T21:23:11.000Z","2025-09-08T21:23:12.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fcollective-action-against-corruption-what-works-best-and-why-2843",{"id":268,"body":269,"status":6,"type":90,"date":270,"slug":271,"title":272,"image":273,"countries":274,"topic":276,"activity":277,"tags":279,"nid":280,"topics":281,"activities":282,"authors":283,"images":285,"websites":22,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":82,"translations":286,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":287,"user_updated":41,"date_updated":288,"content":289,"link":290},10567,"Today, the Basel Institute on Governance jointly published a report with Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention and State Audit Service on corruption risks in Ukraine's civil infrastructure restoration efforts. \n\nWith damage from the Russian aggression estimated to exceed EUR 500 billion, safeguarding state and foreign donor investments in restoration projects is imperative. \n\nThe report highlights 10 key priority risks and suggests mitigation measures. These cover areas such as establishing clear prioritisation criteria for projects, improving public procurement processes and strengthening oversight for construction projects.\n\nThe report, _Assessment of corruption risks in the construction, reconstruction and renovation of civilian infrastructure of Ukraine_, is available [here in Ukrainian](https:\u002F\u002Fnazk.gov.ua\u002Fpdfjs\u002F?file=\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002FPages\u002Fa6\u002F84\u002Fa684c9bcc3dd2ba5e6135be3f225c688759f81ac32d035fb14ef47fad29dddbf2744054.pdf) on the NACP website. The Basel Institute and our Kyiv-based team contributed to its development with the support of Switzerland.\n\nThe launch event brought together key stakeholders in the restoration process, including Members of Parliament, representatives of the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the Accounting Chamber of Ukraine, the Antimonopoly Committee, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, as well as representatives of local self-government and the private sector.\n\nJuhani Grossmann, who leads the Basel Institute's support to Ukraine on anti-corruption, delivered introductory remarks highlighting the centrality of a robust and independent anti-corruption infrastructure to safeguard restoration funds. These are found below:\n\n> Dear colleagues, dear friends,\n> \n> It is a pleasure to be with you today and discuss this crucial topic: restoring Ukraine's infrastructure and services efficiently and transparently, making the best use of limited funds.\n> \n> Allow me to start by acknowledging the exceptionally challenging circumstances you operate under and my appreciation for your continued bravery in the light of seemingly impossible obstacles.\n> \n> As members of the European family, your sacrifices made at the front are the investment in our collective European security. You are protecting the family, a fact which we have to treat with respect. It is my ardent hope that we will be able to honour these sacrifices by jointly building a Ukrainian future that makes today’s deprivations worthwhile.\n> \n> Family members support each other, and so we at the Basel Institute seek to support you. A top priority for us is to provide the tools you need in the face of unprecedented challenges.\n> \n> Those of us not in the military space provide support to the extent of our own capacity. For us at the Basel Institute, that means supporting your efforts to combat corruption – an enemy you have been fighting for decades, and an enemy that continues to have the potential to threaten your ability to mount an effective defence and restoration of your country today.\n> \n> Corruption is such a complicated topic: most of us just want to wish it away, like a bad dream, but unfortunately, it continues to be a reality. That does not mean it is stagnant. Like any enemy, it adapts, mutates, strengthens or weakens, depending on how we treat it.\n> \n> Ukraine’s relentless fight against corruption over the last decade has meant that you, in turn, have been able to hone your anti-corruption weapons. Conceptually similar to your relentless military innovation, you have step by step built your anti-corruption arsenal to a degree where Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure – consisting of specialised agencies, decentralised corruption prevention officers, robust civil society and independent media – met some of the highest global standards and often exceeded that of Western counterparts.\n> \n> There is a dedicated international standard about the independence of anti-corruption agencies, called the [Jakarta Principles](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.unodc.org\u002Fdocuments\u002Fcorruption\u002FWG-Prevention\u002FArt_6_Preventive_anti-corruption_bodies\u002FJAKARTA_STATEMENT_en.pdf). This highlights the importance of ensuring independence in the appointment of the leadership, continuity in the agencies’ work and budgetary autonomy, as well as protecting employees from malicious civil and criminal proceedings.\n> \n> I don't say this lightly: when I travel around the world to the countries with which I work, and tell them about the fact that you continue to robustly pursue corruption during a full-scale war, my colleagues tell me they wish they had your anti-corruption infrastructure.\n> \n> We understand that this anti-corruption infrastructure is not something that was achieved easily. Rather, you had to fight for every law to remain intact, strengthen every regulation repeatedly to address residual risk, build and protect every case against obstacles, shepherd every risk assessment to the mitigation stage and then negotiate, argue, cajole and convince opponents to have these mitigation measures implemented.\n> \n> I know how carefully you considered the recruitment of every detective, analyst, prosecutor and judge. And the resulting system has been impressive – a national treasure. You should be proud of it, as should all Ukrainian citizens and leaders alike. We have certainly been privileged to be associated with it.\n> \n> The value of this anti-corruption infrastructure to Ukraine is not (only) sentimental. It is also of crucial importance as a counter-message to those who say – often without any personal experience or understanding of the issue – that any money or resources sent to Ukraine will only fuel corruption. It is also a crucial counter-message to russian propaganda which loves to portray Ukraine as hopelessly corrupt. You, the anti-corruption institutions, helped us build the arguments against these sceptics:\n> \n> *   How can Ukraine be hopeless, we argue, if it has managed to decrease corruption perceptions by 5 points between 2019 and this year, showing one of the best results in the region?\n> *   How can Ukraine be hopeless if it manages to investigate, arrest and convict high-level corrupt officials?\n> *   How can Ukraine be hopeless if the maturity of its anti-corruption institutions, as recently assessed by the OECD, surpasses many of those in OECD member countries?\n> *   How can Ukraine be hopeless if it has one of the most transparent public procurement systems?\n> *   How can it be hopeless if its public service digitalisation has drastically decreased opportunities for rent-seeking by bureaucrats?\n> *   How can Ukraine’s restoration be hopeless if it has as sophisticated a corruption risk analysis as the one we are presenting today?\n> \n> These are real-life arguments that result in real-life financial, political and military support because they confirm your responsible stewardship of the support you receive. They have allowed us to say that Ukraine is not a corrupt country; it is a country that fights corruption.\n> \n> To those of you in the anti-corruption community: thank you for your hard work over the last 12 years to build and sustain this anti-corruption infrastructure against extraordinary odds.\n> \n> We understand that this week’s efforts have changed the landscape drastically, but fighting corruption remains as important as ever.\n> \n> Your work has been inspiring us, and we will continue to support Ukraine’s anti-corruption aspirations to safeguard this essential dimension of your national defence and restoration.","2025-07-24","mitigating-corruption-risks-in-ukraine039s-restoration-new-report-2836","Mitigating corruption risks in Ukraine's restoration: new report","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fd9cd78fe-043c-482d-92c1-5152e324e1c7?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[275],7791,[75],[278,98],"Reports",[],2836,[20],[278,98],[284],1349,[],[],"2025-08-21T23:48:00.000Z","2026-05-23T09:18:20.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fmitigating-corruption-risks-in-ukraine039s-restoration-new-report-2836",{"id":292,"body":293,"status":6,"type":90,"date":294,"slug":295,"title":296,"image":297,"countries":298,"topic":304,"activity":305,"tags":306,"nid":307,"topics":308,"activities":310,"authors":311,"images":312,"websites":22,"area":22,"programme":22,"language":82,"translations":313,"translation_of":22,"user_created":40,"date_created":314,"user_updated":315,"date_updated":316,"content":317,"link":318},10563,"_A joint blog by Vanessa Hans, Director, Private Sector, Basel Institute on Governance, and Elodie Beth, Senior Manager, Anti-corruption, Global Relations, Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The post is also published on the [OECD website](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fen\u002Fblogs\u002F2025\u002F06\u002Fboosting-business-integrity-in-asia-the-power-of-public-private-co-operation1.html)._\n\nClean, ethical business practices build trust, attract investors and create healthier markets. For the OECD, business integrity is key to levelling the global playing field and enhancing national competitiveness.\n\nAmid global regulatory uncertainty, countries like Indonesia and Thailand are stepping up. Both are taking meaningful steps to strengthen their anti-corruption frameworks as they move towards joining the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention – a critical milestone and prerequisite for future OECD membership.\n\nTheir actions reflect a broader shift: governments across Asia increasingly recognise that corruption undermines competitiveness, deters investment and jeopardises sustainable, long-term growth. A 2024 [regional study](https:\u002F\u002Flink.springer.com\u002Fchapter\u002F10.1007\u002F978-981-99-9303-1_3) confirms it: Asian countries that have improved their control of corruption are far more likely to attract foreign direct investment and foster long-term growth.\n\n### Regional co-operation and the role of Collective Action\n\nRecognising that no single actor can tackle corruption alone, public- and private-sector actors are joining forces at the regional level through the [Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fen\u002Fnetworks\u002Fanti-corruption-initiative-for-asia-and-the-pacific.html) (ACI), co-led by the OECD and Asian Development Bank.\n\nThe ACI, jointly supported by the OECD and the Asian Development Bank, launched a business integrity workstream in 2019, initiated by the Government of Viet Nam as the host country. Last year, the Government of Bhutan held business integrity seminars, and in 2025, Indonesia is expected to host the Regional ACI Conference.\n\nThese Collective Action efforts are underpinned by the OECD’s 2021 Anti-Bribery Recommendation, the first global standard to formally recognise the role of Collective Action and partnerships between the public and private sectors against foreign bribery.\n\n### Spotlight on innovation: Promising business integrity initiatives across the region\n\nFrom risk mapping to regulatory reform, here are standout examples of how countries are taking action through public-private initiatives:\n\n*   Australia: The [Bribery Prevention Network](https:\u002F\u002Fbriberyprevention.com\u002F) brings together business, civil society, academia and government to help small- and medium-sized enterprises prevent, detect and address bribery and corruption while promoting a culture of compliance.\n*   India: The [Maritime Anti-Corruption Network](https:\u002F\u002Fmacn.dk\u002Findia\u002F), a global initiative, set up a HelpDesk in India serving as a real-time resolution mechanism that bridges the gap between the shipping industry and local authorities. It collects anonymous reports by shipping companies of bribe solicitation in ports and uses this data to map out risk areas and tailor its strategies to engage with local government authorities.\n*   Hong Kong, China: The [Independent Commission Against Corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fcpas.icac.hk\u002FEN\u002FInfo\u002FNews_List?cate_id=26) is engaged in several sector-specific Collective Action initiatives, particularly in construction and banking. It collaborates with chambers of commerce and industry associations such as the Construction Industry Council.\n*   Thailand: In 2024, the Thai government amended its procurement law to recognise certification by the [Thai Collective Action Against Corruption](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.thai-cac.com\u002Fen\u002F) (CAC) initiative as proof of a company’s anti-corruption controls. This enables CAC-certified firms to qualify for public contracts above a certain threshold, incentivising private-sector compliance.\n\nThese experiences illustrate how government authorities are increasingly participating in Collective Action initiatives to enhance their awareness-raising efforts, gather better evidence and develop tailored solutions that reflect the realities of different sectors and companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises.\n\nBy engaging in such initiatives, government authorities can increase their overall outreach, lend greater legitimacy to private-sector anti-corruption efforts and effectively promote the adoption of business integrity policies.\n\n### Building a regional community of practice\n\nTo sustain momentum, the OECD and the Basel Institute on Governance have launched a regional community of practice.\n\nIn 2023, the [Asia-Pacific Collective Action Forum](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fget-involved\u002Fevents\u002Fasia-pacific-anti-corruption-collective-action-forum-2023\u002F) was held in Manila, Philippines, bringing together 50+ practitioners from diverse stakeholder groups across the region. The Asia-Pacific Anti-Corruption Collective Action Award recognised the growing number of initiatives in the region and celebrated their achievements. The Thai CAC received the inaugural award.\n\nEncouraged by the Forum’s success, participants expressed strong interest in sustaining and deepening exchanges among practitioners. A follow-up Collective Action workshop was held in 2024 in Bangkok, in collaboration with the Thai CAC. The workshop further strengthened the emerging community of practice and provided a valuable platform for peer learning.\n\nThis regional community has created a meaningful space for peer learning and experience sharing. It has also contributed to greater alignment with international standards.\n\n### Looking ahead: co-operation as the path forward\n\nThese developments show that business integrity reforms are not only possible but already underway.\n\nIn 2025, the OECD will release a policy paper examining the link between business integrity frameworks and competitiveness. The paper underscores how public-private cooperation is not only advancing reform, but also makes countries more attractive to investment and resilient to shocks.\n\nAlthough still in their early stages, the emergence of Collective Action and partnerships between the public and private sectors in Asia offers a promising path forward to advance integrity. Sustained cooperation will be crucial to fully realising the potential of these initiatives.\n\n### Learn more and get engaged\n\n*   OECD work on [fighting foreign bribery](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oecd.org\u002Fen\u002Ftopics\u002Ffighting-foreign-bribery.html)\n*   OECD and ADB [Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific](https:\u002F\u002Feur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\u002F?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oecd.org%2Fen%2Fnetworks%2Fanti-corruption-initiative-for-asia-and-the-pacific.html&data=05%7C02%7CAmelia.GODBER%40oecd.org%7C6fd37eac8a904a45c14a08ddb79ccb32%7Cac41c7d41f61460db0f4fc925a2b471c%7C0%7C0%7C638868606248663645%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=f3iuWN%2F79tnGhdt3SdwKbaUixtckXB6wTGm2vb%2BocG4%3D&reserved=0)\n*   [B20 Collective Action Hub](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002F) by the Basel Institute on Governance\n*   [Working Paper 48: A collaborative approach to improve business integrity in ASEAN](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2316\u002F) by Lucie Binder, Vanessa Hans and Anna Stransky, Basel Institute on Governance\n*   [Working Paper 56: Anti-corruption Collective Action: A typology for a new era](https:\u002F\u002Fcollective-action.com\u002Fexplore\u002Fpublications\u002F2397\u002F) by Scarlet Wannenwetsch, Basel Institute on Governance","2025-06-30","boosting-business-integrity-in-asia-the-power-of-public-private-cooperation-2825","Boosting business integrity in Asia: the power of public-private cooperation","https:\u002F\u002Fjam.baselgovernance.org\u002Fapi\u002Fassets\u002Fc2ae4699-b971-41c8-bba9-47e7fadb6c5e?width=1000&height=650&format=webp&quality=80",[299,300,301,302,303],7783,7784,7785,7786,7787,[73,14],[98],[],2825,[73,14,309],"Business Integrity Ethics and Compliance",[98],[],[],[],"2025-07-13T11:42:46.000Z","3d9ff205-1640-4f34-b5b6-86977f51bbd6","2026-05-29T22:22:37.000Z",[],"\u002Fresources\u002Fnews\u002Fboosting-business-integrity-in-asia-the-power-of-public-private-cooperation-2825",{"left":320,"top":320,"width":321,"height":321,"rotate":320,"vFlip":322,"hFlip":322,"body":323},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>",1780676482376]