Explore our work
At the Basel Institute, we work across three intersecting and complementary areas that are vital to tackling corruption and promoting good governance.
At the core is our effort to tackle global challenges together. We empower, enable and connect practitioners to collectively address corruption as an obstacle to progress on the environment, security and other global challenges.
Asset Recovery and Enforcement
International Centre for Asset Recovery | Tackling financial crime
Corruption Prevention and Public Governance
Developing smarter ways to prevent corruption and strengthen governance
Business Integrity, Ethics and Compliance
Promoting ethical business through compliance and Collective Action
Why our approach is different
Corruption is not only a legal or technical problem. It is driven by incentives, power, relationships and systems. Over two decades, we have learned that effective anti-corruption efforts must go beyond laws and institutions alone.
Our work is built around four core ideas.
We connect prevention and enforcement
Corruption prevention and enforcement are often treated separately. We see them as two sides of the same coin.
Helping countries recover stolen assets can deter future corruption. Strong compliance systems can support fairer competition and more accountable institutions. Research and risk analysis can strengthen both prevention and investigations.
This integrated approach shapes all our work – from financial investigations to public financial management to business integrity and corruption prevention.
We build coalitions
Corruption thrives in silos. Tackling it requires cooperation across sectors, borders and disciplines.
We bring together governments, businesses, civil society, international organisations and researchers to build trust, share knowledge and develop practical solutions. This includes communities of practice, peer-learning networks, Collective Action initiatives and international forums.
As an independent organisation, we are often able to convene groups that would not otherwise work together.
We focus on people and behaviour
Fighting corruption is ultimately about changing behaviour: rewarding integrity, reducing impunity and shifting the incentives that allow corruption to flourish.
We work closely with investigators, prosecutors, compliance professionals, policymakers, journalists and civil society organisations to understand the realities they face and support solutions that fit their context. Rather than imposing templates, we mentor, guide and learn alongside our partners.
We connect practice with learning
Our work is grounded in practical experience. Many of our staff are former investigators, prosecutors, compliance officers, policymakers and practitioners with decades of first-hand expertise.
We use this experience to test approaches, analyse what works and share lessons widely through research, training and policy engagement. This helps us avoid off-the-shelf solutions and adapt our work as corruption itself evolves.
Our strategy and approach to 2030
After two decades of testing what actually works, we have developed a distinctive method for fighting corruption: grounded in evidence, people and long-term partnerships rather than short-term interventions. This document sets out our approach and strategic priorities through 2030.
View Strategy 2023–2030Where we work
We work with partners across four continents to fight corruption and strengthen governance.
Regions list (text alternative for the map)
Africa | Latin America and the Caribbean | Europe | Asia PacificSelected programmes
Tackling corruption to protect our planet, with a focus on forests, critical minerals and the energy transition.
Learn moreAssisting public authorities to manage resources transparently and effectively, for the benefit of citizens.
Learn moreHelping Ukraine protect public funds and resources to ensure a transparent, resilient recovery.
Learn more