This paper explores governments’ role in fostering, facilitating and engaging in collective action initiatives to support the private sector in its fight against corruption. Building on the OECD Anti-Bribery Recommendation, the first international standard to recommend collective action as a tool to fight foreign bribery, the paper examines when, how and for what purposes governments participate in such initiatives.
Publication
15 years of Anti-Corruption Collective Action: Stories of Integrity from the Private Sector
In 2010, the UN Global Compact launched a bold initiative to tackle corruption through Collective Action. Funded by the Siemens Integrity Initiative, Anti-Corruption Collective Action (ACCA) mobilized a community of like-minded companies determined to jointly challenge corrupt practices and co-create solutions to address them.
This publication includes valuable tools and resources, best practices and lessons learned and is testament to how trusted partnerships can transform industries, drive long-term success and protect people and planet.
“The scope of integrity and anti-corruption Collective Action initiatives has grown massively over the last 20 or so years. This is because companies, civil society and others have recognised that to tackle extortion and the payment of bribes requires more than an inward-looking ethics and compliance programme to ensure fair competition.”
Gemma Aiolfi, Senior Advisor, Legal and Compliance, Basel Institute on Governance
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.
Stories, evidence and inspiration from the Basel Institute on Governance
At its core, Collective Action is a simple yet powerful concept: tackling corruption challenges together, rather than alone. Over the past two decades, anti-corruption Collective Action has grown from a niche idea to a recognised approach embedded in international standards, national strategies and corporate practices.
In these times of geopolitical instability and changing government priorities, business integrity risks being sidelined – just when it’s needed most.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Anti-Corruption Collective Action Awards, presented by the Basel Institute on Governance with the support of the Siemens Integrity Initiative.
The awards were announced on 4 June 2025 in a video on social media from Elizabeth Andersen, the Basel Institute’s Executive Director.
In the last decade, companies around the globe have significantly invested in the development of anti-corruption compliance programmes. Assessing the effectiveness of these programmes has proven challenging and requires that companies go beyond a box-checking approach, set clear objectives, measure progress and impact and foster a culture of integrity.
A joint blog by Naomi Roht-Arriaza, Distinguished Professor of Law (emerita), University of California Law, and Lucie Binder, Senior Specialist, Governance and Integrity, Basel Institute on Governance.
Who are the real victims of corruption?
Traditionally, the answer has been “the state.” This stems from the fact that corruption typically involves the misuse of public office and the theft or diversion of public funds. In this legal framework, the state prosecutes the crime, claims the damage and receives any recovered assets.
With increasing geopolitical and regulatory volatility, the need for companies to develop resilience to market shocks and uncertain conditions is critical. One of the most effective ways to do this is by embedding strong compliance programmes into their operations that not only ensure adherence to laws and regulations, but also support positive, ethical work environments.