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Helping deliver better services through effective public finance management

How governments manage public resources has a direct impact on people’s lives. Effective, efficient and transparent public financial management (PFM) helps ensure that public funds are used where they are needed most – from education and healthcare to infrastructure and environmental protection. It also reduces opportunities for corruption and improves accountability to citizens.

The Basel Institute on Governance works with governments to strengthen public financial management systems and practices. We combine hands-on technical assistance with innovative approaches, data-driven decision-making and practical solutions tailored to local needs.

Our flagship programme is the Swiss-funded Programa GFP Subnacional in Peru, where public expenditure is highly decentralised.

Through a long-term partnership with regional and municipal governments, our team helps authorities to strengthen planning, budgeting, revenue mobilisation and public service delivery while enhancing transparency and recovering misappropriated assets.

Beyond its own impact on the people of Peru, the programme serves as a laboratory for innovation by generating evidence, tools and lessons that can inform public finance reforms in other countries.

Transforming public finances

Transforming public finances

What is public finance management?

Public finance management is the administration of funds used to deliver public services like education, healthcare and infrastructure.

Sound and transparent management of public finances requires sound and transparent legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks, as well as their enforcement. The proper management of public finances promotes accountability and increases the credibility of the public administration for stakeholders.

Ultimately, robust and transparent public finance management is essential to achieving development goals.

Programme goals and impact

Phase 3 of the programme started in 2024, following a successful phase 1 (2015–2019) and phase 2 (2020–2023).

From 2024–2028, the programme will build on its previous achievements in strengthening capacity in relation to procurement, budgeting and risk management processes. These include:

  • Increased efficiency

    More efficient planning and execution of public investments, particularly in education and healthcare infrastructure.

  • Internal controls

    Strengthened internal controls and financial management systems at regional and local levels.

  • Tax revenue growth

    Successful implementation of property tax management reforms, significantly boosting local revenue collection.

  • Progress in asset recovery

    Notable progress in asset recovery through Peru’s non-conviction based forfeiture law, Extinción de dominio. Drawing on the Basel Institute’s asset recovery expertise, this effort has led to the recovery of millions of dollars in misappropriated public funds and is helping to reduce impunity for corruption.

The third phase of the programme will continue strengthening these areas, incorporating new strategies and adapting to changing circumstances.

It will also add a special focus on the monitoring and surveillance of regional conservation areas, including through the use of innovative technologies.

View a video about the programme’s achievements:

Partners and beneficiaries

The regional government of Loreto and municipality of Maynas joined the programme’s 11 existing beneficiaries in 2024: the municipalities of Abancay, Cusco, Piura, San Martín (Tarapoto) and Trujillo, as well as the regional governments of Apurímac, Cusco, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Piura and San Martín.

It will also add a special focus on the monitoring and surveillance of regional conservation areas, including through the use of innovative technologies.

Watch testimonials from our beneficiaries:

The programme will also continue close coordination with relevant state institutions, including the Public Integrity Secretariat, Ministry of Economy and other relevant Ministries such as health and education, government environmental agencies, prosecutors’ offices and the judiciary.

Why Peru?

The strong performance of the Peruvian economy in recent years opens up greater opportunities to ensure that citizens enjoy quality public goods and services. This is especially important in the key areas of health, education, water and sanitation, as well as infrastructure to facilitate access to markets.

Our ultimate aims are to promote economic development and social inclusion, reduce poverty and cultivate greater trust in Peru’s governance and public institutions.

Latest news

Read and listen to news, insights and ideas from our team and global partners.

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A career with purpose in public finance management: Límberg Chero

12 January 2026

A career with purpose in public finance management: Límberg Chero

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Una carrera con propósito en gestión de finanzas públicas: Límberg Chero

12 January 2026

Una carrera con propósito en gestión de finanzas públicas: Límberg Chero

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

28 January 2025

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

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Swiss-Peruvian public finance management programme enters exciting new phase

21 October 2024

Swiss-Peruvian public finance management programme enters exciting new phase

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Peru celebrates five years of its non-conviction based forfeiture law – USD 94 million so far

6 June 2024

Peru celebrates five years of its non-conviction based forfeiture law – USD 94 million so far

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The Quispe Callo case: Peru’s provincial prosecutors recover corrupt assets through non-conviction based confiscation

28 February 2024

The Quispe Callo case: Peru’s provincial prosecutors recover corrupt assets through non-conviction based confiscation

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Managing public investments in infrastructure: novel course in Peru connects theory and practice

8 February 2024

Managing public investments in infrastructure: novel course in Peru connects theory and practice

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Improving public integrity in Peru: how regional governments can take the lead

23 January 2024

Improving public integrity in Peru: how regional governments can take the lead

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Fostering peer learning and innovation on public integrity in Peru

27 July 2023

Fostering peer learning and innovation on public integrity in Peru

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Judges’ convention shows why Peru is a leader in recovering proceeds of corruption through non-conviction based forfeiture

15 February 2023

Judges’ convention shows why Peru is a leader in recovering proceeds of corruption through non-conviction based forfeiture

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Large public investment projects, large challenges – new analysis from Peru

14 February 2023

Large public investment projects, large challenges – new analysis from Peru

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Peruvian Government publishes integrity risk management guidelines with support from the Basel Institute’s Public Finance Management programme

19 January 2023

Peruvian Government publishes integrity risk management guidelines with support from the Basel Institute’s Public Finance Management programme

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National Convention of Prosecutors in Peru celebrates three years of applying its non-conviction based forfeiture law

24 June 2022

National Convention of Prosecutors in Peru celebrates three years of applying its non-conviction based forfeiture law

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Training in non-conviction based confiscation rolled out for specialised prosecutors in Peru, with high-level support

23 September 2021

Training in non-conviction based confiscation rolled out for specialised prosecutors in Peru, with high-level support

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Launch of compendium of jurisprudence on Peru’s non-conviction based confiscation law

22 July 2021

Launch of compendium of jurisprudence on Peru’s non-conviction based confiscation law

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