Ethics

Keeping business integrity in motion: building trust and resilience through Collective Action

What happens when different stakeholders, such as businesses, governments, civil society, international organisations and academia come together around shared integrity challenges? The 6th International Collective Action Conference, held in Basel in June 2026, offered a powerful answer: Collective Action gives actors the conditions they need to tackle integrity challenges together that no single one of them could address alone. Under the theme “Business integrity in motion,” the conference brought together 154 participants from 103 organisations across more than 40 countries – a mix that reflects a central reality of today’s integrity landscape: corruption cuts across borders, sectors and institutions, so isolated responses rarely go far enough. Collective Action pools the knowledge, resources and influence of different actors around shared challenges and creates opportunities to address them together. This was at the heart of the opening keynote by Hanne Juncher, Director of Security, Integrity and Rule of Law at the Council of Europe: Collective Action is not just one tool among many. It is one of the most effective responses we have to corruption in today’s interconnected world. The discussions throughout the conference explored what it takes to translate that potential into practice – from the role of boards in driving business integrity and the opportunities and risks of technology, to measuring compliance and incentivising integrity among SMEs. Celebrating those who put Collective Action into motion The International Collective Action Awards provided a tangible illustration of this approach. The 2026 winners showed two complementary ways of driving change. Developing practical solutions to concrete integrity challenges The 2026 Collective Action Inspirational Newcomer Award went to CoST Malawi, for its Infrastructure Transparency Initiative Red Flags Algorithm – an initiative that brings together diverse stakeholders and uses technology to strengthen transparency and accountability in infrastructure governance. The initiative demonstrates how collaboration can become a practical tool for identifying and addressing integrity risks. By bringing actors together around public infrastructure data and developing and embedding a tailored algorithm into its publicly available infrastructure procurement platform, CoST Malawi is helping shift transparency from simply publishing information towards actively using data to identify potential risks and strengthen accountability. For the CoST Malawi team, the recognition was about much more than an award: This award is a proud moment for the CoST Malawi team and a testament to what can be achieved when diverse stakeholders unite around a common purpose. Collective Action is at the heart of the CoST approach, and this recognition reflects the commitment, dedication and partnership of everyone involved in promoting transparent, inclusive and accountable infrastructure governance in Malawi. Building the networks, capabilities and trust needed to sustain change The Gretta Fenner Outstanding Achievement in Collective Action Award went to the Alliance for Integrity, in recognition of its sustained contribution to advancing Collective Action and promoting business integrity. In particular, for building one of the world’s largest business integrity Collective Action networks encompassing companies, business associations, governments and civil society organisations across 16 countries. Through it, they have supported hundreds of trainers and companies in strengthening compliance and anti-corruption practices, with a strong focus on SMEs. The work of Alliance for Integrity demonstrates how networks connect actors who might otherwise work in isolation, while training builds the capacity to act and sustained engagement helps build the trust needed for collaboration to continue. As Alliance for Integrity reflected after the award: We are deeply honoured that the Alliance for Integrity won the Gretta Fenner Outstanding Achievement in Collective Action Award. While the award was presented to the Secretariat, we see it as recognition of the entire Alliance for Integrity network, including our regional hubs, local partners, trainers, companies and all those who contribute their time, expertise and commitment to advancing business integrity. The Secretariat holds the award, but it represents the collective work of our network. That is why the award is now travelling across our hubs and communities. It has already been to Paraguay and South Africa, with many more stops to come. Each stop is an opportunity to celebrate the people and partnerships that make the Alliance what it is, and to recognise the importance of local engagement in turning Collective Action into meaningful change. For us, the award is a shared symbol of the work being done across the network. It belongs to everyone who contributes to building trust, strengthening capacity and bringing businesses, governments and civil society together around a shared commitment to integrity. We are proud to hold it at the Secretariat, but even more proud to share it with the network that made this recognition possible. Together, the two winners demonstrate different ways Collective Action can create meaningful change. CoST Malawi built a new solution and showed how collaboration can generate innovative responses to specific integrity risks. Alliance for Integrity showed how building the relationships and capacity can create the conditions for change to take hold. From conversation to continued collaboration The conference gave participants room for discussion, opportunities to build relationships and explore further collaboration. Practitioners and researchers exchanged experiences across countries and sectors with a focus on how Collective Action initiatives can remain relevant, adaptable and impactful over time. The conference was supported by a diverse group of organisations from across the global Collective Action community of practice, including the Alliance for Integrity, TEID, Maritime Anti-Corruption Network MACN , UNODC, OECD, Transparency International and UN Global Compact. Their support, alongside that of the Siemens Integrity Initiative and conference sponsors AtkinsRéalis and Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions SA, reflected the breadth and strength of the community coming together to advance Collective Action. As the conference closed, one message stood out: business integrity is increasingly a collective endeavour. Tackling corruption and strengthening trust requires actors to move beyond isolated commitments and find practical ways to work together. The challenge for all of us now is to keep momentum going – expanding partnerships, adapting to new challenges and turning collaboration into lasting improvements for businesses, governments and citizens. Learn more ::: links - Report from the 6th International Collective Action Conference - Collective Action at the Basel Institute :::

Congratulations to the winners of the International Collective Action Awards 2026

The winners of the International Collective Action Awards 2026 were announced on 9 June during the International Collective Action Conference in Basel, Switzerland. Presented by the Basel Institute on Governance, the Awards recognise outstanding initiatives that demonstrate the power of Collective Action to address corruption, strengthen business integrity and contribute to fairer and more transparent markets. Alliance for Integrity: Outstanding Achievements award The Gretta Fenner Outstanding Achievement in Collective Action Award 2026 was awarded to Alliance for Integrity. The initiative was recognised for building one of the world’s largest business integrity Collective Action networks, bringing together companies, business associations, governments and civil society organisations across 16 countries. Through practical training, dialogue and collaboration, Alliance for Integrity has helped thousands of businesses – particularly small and medium-sized enterprises – strengthen their integrity and compliance practices. The initiative demonstrates how Collective Action can be scaled across different regions and contexts to create lasting impact. CoST Malawi’s Red Flags Algorithm: Inspirational Newcomer award The Collective Action Inspirational Newcomer Award 2026 was awarded to CoST Malawi Infrastructure Transparency Initiative: Red Flags Algorithm. The initiative was recognised for its innovative approach to strengthening transparency and accountability in public infrastructure projects. At the centre of the initiative is the Red Flags Algorithm, integrated into Malawi’s Information Platform for Public Infrastructure, which helps identify potential corruption risks and anomalies in project data. By combining technology, transparency and multi-stakeholder collaboration, the initiative is helping improve oversight of public infrastructure investments and strengthen public trust. Recognising excellence in Collective Action The International Collective Action Awards celebrate initiatives that bring together businesses, governments, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to address shared integrity challenges that no single actor can solve alone. The Basel Institute congratulates the winners and all finalists for their commitment to advancing integrity and accountability through Collective Action. Their achievements demonstrate the continued importance of collaboration in addressing corruption risks and promoting responsible business conduct around the world. The Conference and Awards are supported by the Siemens Integrity Initiative.

Peru’s Integrity Week celebrates transparency and good governance, including for the environment

While most of the world celebrates International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December, Peru has kickstarted a new tradition: an entire week dedicated to integrity, transparency and anti-corruption events and celebrations. The country celebrated its first Semana de Integridad Pública – Public Integrity Week – last December, following the passing of a law that dedicates the second week of December each year to the occasion. The aim is to reinforce the country’s commitment to transparency and ethics in public administration. Our teams were closely involved in the various events that took place across the country. Building integrity in public finance management Members of our Subnational Public Finance Management programme or Programa GFP Subnacional organised and participated in 14 events in nine different regions. In total, the events involved more than 2,000 individuals in person and a similar number online. Topics included ethical leadership, policies and strategies to mitigate risks and promote transparency in public administrations, and the role of asset forfeiture in fostering integrity and reducing impunity for corruption. The discussions and workshops underscored the commitment of the Swiss-funded programme to: Strengthen capacities: Provide tools and practical knowledge to identify and manage the risks that affect public integrity. Promote multi-stakeholder dialogue: Encourage collaboration between different parties, including government, the private sector and civil society, to address ethical and transparency challenges together. Inspire action: Promote a culture of integrity and accountability as the basis for inclusive and sustainable development. Green corruption high on the agenda Our Green Corruption prevention team, funded by the UK's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, also participated in 18 separate events, reaching over 6,000 participants in person and more online. Our team drew attention to the fact that corruption is a key enabler of illegal trade in natural resources. Illegal logging in the Peruvian Amazon, illegal mining or wildlife trafficking pose serious threats to the country’s environment, people and economy. But these complex crimes can’t be addressed without an active focus on corruption prevention. The prominence of this topic during Integrity Week is an important achievement. It reflects increased awareness and interest in green corruption among Peruvian authorities, specifically from the Ministries of the Environment and Agriculture, as well as the national Secretariat for Public Integrity that led the organisation of the events. Learn more See the press release in Spanish . See photo highlights from events in Loreto. Watch a series of three debates about asset recovery law and practice in Peru, released at the same time as Integrity Week.

What would you do? Alliance for Integrity Global Campaign launches with thought-provoking video

The Basel Institute on Governance has joined forces with the Alliance for Integrity and more than 60 partners from 12 countries to raise awareness of the importance of business integrity – and the challenges it can present to individuals, their families, business partners and society. The Alliance for Integrity is a global business-driven, multi-stakeholder initiative seeking to promote transparency and integrity in the economic system. Its global United4Integrity campaign, which launches today, features an interactive video as its centrepiece. The protagonist in the video is faced with an integrity dilemma that small business leaders all over the world will recognise. Should she cheat to win that contract? What would you do? Choose whether you would say yes, say no or look away. The video encourages viewers to engage in debate about the challenges of doing business with integrity and the potential consequences when things go wrong. There are no easy answers but viewers can visit the campaign website, what-would-you-do.org, to find out how engaging in Collective Action can help. Sparking debate towards the Global Conference The Basel Institute’s Collective Action team has been working closely with the Alliance for Integrity almost since its inception. Our Head of Compliance and Collective Action Gemma Aiolfi, who sits on the Alliance’s Steering Committee, praised the leadership’s initiative in sparking debate: It’s easy to forget that at heart, anti-corruption compliance is not about paperwork, checklists and toolkits – it’s about people, values and knowing when and how to do the right thing. This unique campaign by the Alliance for Integrity encourages workers, managers and business leaders alike to openly talk about corporate values and listen to one another’s concerns. I strongly encourage you to take this journey and to connect with the Alliance for Integrity to find out how you can join this vibrant global partnership. Visit the campaign website and interact with the video here. We invite you to share this important message with your networks using the campaign hashtag United4Integrity. The campaign culminates in the Global Conference of the Alliance for Integrity on 27-29 April 2021. It is open to all and free of charge. Register via the event platform here. More insights on business integrity and Collective Action See this recent Q&A with Susanne Friedrich, Director of Alliance for Integrity, on how Collective Action can help SMEs overcome the pandemic. Susanne Friedrich also appears in a short video filmed at the Basel Institute’s 2018 International Collective Action Conference to answer the question: “What is Collective Action and what is its value in combating corruption?” Scarlet Wannenwetsch’s article on Anti-Corruption Collective Action appeared in the 16th Compliance Bulletin of Alliance for Integrity in collaboration with the Global Compact Network Germany. Gemma Aiolfi’s article on Integrity and anti-corruption in the private sector post covid-19, written in April 2020, generated vivid debate among the community and was republished on the FCPA Blog. This quick guide to integrity and anti-corruption compliance for SMEs outlines five simple things that any business can do to raise levels of integrity in their organisation. It’s available on the Alliance for Integrity campaign website, alongside other useful publications on anti-corruption Collective Action.

Quick Guide 39: Business integrity and ethics

Insider’s corruption versus outsider’s ethicality? Individual responses to conflicting institutional logics