Corruption hinders development, causing the disappearance of crucial financial resources, the erosion of public trust and a general sense of powerlessness and injustice that can escalate to full-blown conflict. Corruption hits poor and vulnerable groups the hardest as they cannot afford bribes to obtain public services. The SDC is therefore determined to combat corruption.
Fighting corruption is one of Switzerland's key priorities and vital to establishing good governance. Responsible and transparent action on the part of governments and the imposition of sanctions for corrupt acts are major weapons in fighting corruption.
Key objectives are ensuring that public funds are used effectively and efficiently for development within a particular country and building public trust in the government. The SDC also aims to stop corrupt practices that subvert government institutions and political processes and to create a more level playing field, which helps reduce tensions.
Focus of action
The SDC works to combat petty corruption that affects people's everyday lives, such as paying bribes for medical care. It also fights large-scale corruption involving powerful politicians and business leaders, with substantial sums changing hands. The SDC uses a two-pronged approach to tackle these issues: firstly, supporting specific anti-corruption programmes and secondly, incorporating anti-corruption measures into other areas of work. The SDC works to address all aspects of corruption, ranging from bribery, fraud and embezzlement to nepotism, unfair price-fixing and extortion.
The SDC is involved, for example, in initiatives to curb illicit financial flows and repatriate stolen assets. It strives to ensure that such funds are invested in development projects that benefit communities. The SDC is also committed to implementing international agreements, utilising global donor platforms, and working in partnership with anti-corruption centres of excellence.
Switzerland calls for greater transparency in budget management and the introduction of integrity standards for government agencies and private sector entities. Further measures include promoting citizens' initiatives and investigative journalism aimed at exposing and fighting corruption. The deployment of new information technologies is essential to implementing these measures. Efforts to bolster anti-corruption expertise at national level are also targeted at independent supervisory bodies, such as anti-corruption authorities, auditors and parliamentary finance committees.
The SDC is working to achieve a consistent anti-corruption policy in consultation with other federal offices, civil society organisations and the private sector. The SDC is also building on its own expertise by raising awareness among SDC staff and SDC partners and providing appropriate training. It also keeps a close eye on internal coordination and cultivates effective external networks.
The SDC lays down clear rules of conduct, has appropriate internal control mechanisms in place, and conducts internal and external audits at regular intervals. It regularly assesses corruption risks, undertakes risk assessments in relation to partners, defines appropriate countermeasures, and imposes sanctions where required. In carrying out this work, Switzerland adopts the recommendations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for managing corruption risks.
Zero tolerance policy
If the SDC were to be affected by corruption, payments would normally be suspended pending the results of a legal investigation. In addition, the SDC strives to recover misappropriated funds in all circumstances.
Where can suspected instances of corruption be reported?
The FDFA Compliance Office is responsible for dealing with any instances of corruption or abuse which are reported within the FDFA or by external parties in connection with SDC-funded activities.
FDFA Compliance Office – Reporting corruption, misappropriation of funds and abuses
Alternatively, suspected instances of corruption may be reported on the whistleblowing platform of the Swiss Federal Audit Office.
Links
In focus: Fight against illicit financial flows
FDFA Compliance Office – Reporting corruption, misappropriation of funds and abuses
Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) whistleblowing platform
World Bank, “Anti-Corruption Policies and Programs – A Framework for Evaluation”
Transparency International – Global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption
Documents
Current projects
Good Financial Governance (GFG)
01.05.2024
- 30.04.2027
The project contributes to strengthen Tanzania’s public financial system, a central element to cement its economic status. The 3rd phase aims at expanding the mobilization of domestic revenue and improving the government’s expenditure control. It shall strengthen interinstitutional mechanisms for tax data exchange, enhance the audit system, and improve public procurement. At policy level, it seeks to develop an evidence-based and gender responsive fiscal strategy for better public service delivery to benefit the population, especially the poor.
Accountability for the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda 2023-2026
01.03.2023
- 28.02.2026
The implementation of the 2030 Agenda is guided by a follow-up and review process that supports accountability for the Agenda at national, regional and global levels. With this contribution to a set of partners notably from civil society, Switzerland enables key stakeholders to take part in the review processes for more inclusive monitoring of progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind.
Somalia: Strengthening State Institutions for better service delivery
01.03.2023
- 31.12.2025
The Multi-Partner-Fund (MPF) provided an umbrella to prepare the World Bank’s (WB) re-engagement in Somalia. It has become a powerful tool for donors to pool resources and enabled the WB to engage with Somali authorities to gradually advance reform implementation related to revenue and financial policy, as well as public financial management (PFM). Through this project, Switzerland supports the incremental strengthening of core state institutions in Somalia and contributes ultimately to stability and socio-economic recovery of the country.
SYNAD - Programme d’Appui au Système National de Décentralisation
01.01.2023
- 31.12.2026
Au Burkina Faso, les institutions nationales sont encore insuffisamment capables d’assurer leurs tâches de coordination, de financement et d’appui technique à la décentralisation. La Suisse soutient les institutions chargées de mettre en œuvre cette réforme, afin d’accroître l’accès aux services de base, de réduire la pauvreté et de prévenir l’extrémisme violent. Elle reste engagée en combinant ses instruments de coopération et montre son soutien dans un contexte de crises sécuritaire et humanitaire.
Programme de Valorisation du Potentiel Agro-Pastoral dans l’Est du Burkina Faso (VALPAPE) Phase 3
01.01.2023
- 31.01.2026
La région de l’Est du Burkina Faso est affectée par une grave crise sécuritaire et humanitaire qui risque d’annihiler les bons résultats des dernières années sur le plan agropastoral. Aussi, la Suisse veut contribuer à la sauvegarde des acquis de développement tout en renforçant les moyens d'existence des personnes vulnérables touchées par des déplacements. En facilitant leur réinsertion socioéconomique, le programme participe à réduire leur vulnérabilité à l’extrême pauvreté et à l’insécurité alimentaire.
Contribution to non-state local governance actors
15.11.2022
- 31.12.2026
The project is a contribution to and a strategic partnership with the Coalition of three major non-state actors in the promotion and strengthening of local governance in Kyrgyzstan. They will be financially and technically capacitated and empowered to play their role in advancing local democracy and local governance for the benefit of people in Kyrgyzstan. The partnership builds on over 10 years of Swiss support in local governance in Kyrgyzstan as well as on ownership by the government.
Potable Water Management Programme (PWMP) in Upper Egypt Phase 2
01.05.2022
- 31.12.2025
Egypt has critical needs in better managing water resources and reducing water losses as well as consumption, especially in Upper Egypt (climate change impact, lack of infrastructure, high poverty level). Switzerland provides innovative solutions for improved potable water management and service provision to the vulnerable population. The mixed approach based on strengthening capacities of the water company, improving the infrastructure for potable water provision and on engaging the communities will serve as model for nationwide replication.
PACTA - Participatory Action Against Corruption: Towards Transparency and Accountability
01.01.2022
- 31.12.2026
In Bangladesh, Switzerland was instrumental in engaging likeminded development partners to support prominent local actors to curb corruption and establish transparent and accountable governance systems. This project, co-funded by Switzerland with the UK and Sweden, will continue the work on reducing corruption by engaging citizens, adding the use of an innovative digital tool for community monitoring. Based on the evidence collected on corruption incidences, the project will reinforce policy advocacy and engagement at different levels.
Contribution to the Multi-Donor Trust Fund of the Africa Disaster Risk Financing Programme ADRiFi
01.12.2021
- 30.11.2025
Through a contribution to the ADRiFi programme of the African Development Bank, Switzerland intends to facilitate access to subsidies for the payment of natural disaster insurances for at least an additional 15 African countries. Payouts (up to 5 mio USD per event) from the insurance, managed by the African Risk Capacity Group, will allow governments respond timely and effectively to the needs of their population in case of disaster on the basis of the prepared effective contingency plans.
Inclusive Urbanisation
08.11.2021
- 31.12.2024
The program contributes to inclusive urbanization in Central America in partnership with UN-Habitat with the aim to improve the living conditions of vulnerable populations in urban settlements. Solid data and evidence on informal settlements and specialised advisory will contribute to improve urban policies. Capacity building, participatory planning approaches and increased involvement of the private sector will foster comprehensive and feasible solutions for informal settlements.
Sustainable and Inclusive Balanced Regional Development
01.10.2021
- 30.09.2025
The level of development among the 8 regions in North Macedonia is highly unequal. This misbalance directly affects the wellbeing of citizens living in less developed areas. SDC supports North Macedonia by working on the country system, to improve the national legal framework for planning, monitoring and evaluation of balanced regional development (BRD) ensuring greater allocation of funds for BRD, hence improving the living conditions for all citizens, especially in the underdeveloped regions.
PRODEL - Program for strengthening municipal capacities for local development
01.04.2021
- 30.06.2024
PRODEL III contributes to the decentralization reform through introducing its municipal autonomy approach into new laws and policies, through training of “multipliers” and creation of advisory services to extend its tool of Municipal Development Strategy to more municipalities. The EDM strengthens municipal autonomy and efficient use of local resources for production infrastructure and services, while promoting participation and inclusion.