Transparency International Secretariat – core contribution (2017-2020)

Project completed

Transparency International (TI) is a leading global movement comprised of an international secretariat (TI-S) and 114 independent national chapters. It aims to stop corruption, promote transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and in all sectors of society. Switzerland’s support to TI-S will take the form of a core contribution.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Governance
Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Decentralisation
Legal and judicial development
Information and communication technology (ICT)
01.12.2016 - 30.06.2021
CHF  1’600’000
Background

Despite numerous achievements in the fight against corruption, such as the adoption of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and, in particular, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 pertaining to peace and justice including corruption, it remains a widespread, global problem and a challenge for development. The fight against corruption requires action at multiple levels and TI attempts to do this through an holistic approach to corruption, working at both, the national and international level, as well as with a wide range of stakeholders.

Objectives

TI’s overall goal is to stop corruption, promote transpar­ency, accountability and integrity at all levels and in all sectors of society.

Target groups

Institutions

TI-S advocates for and participates in the development of standards and policies regarding anti-corruption and reminds intergovernmental institutions, governments and the private sector of their respective commitments.

People

TI not only provides protection to victims, witnesses and anti-corruption activists through their Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres (ALACs), it also advocates for a civil society space within which citi­zens are able to demand higher transparency and ac­countability and empowers civil society to combat corruption.

Network

TI-S ensures that its114 national Chapters are well-equipped to combat corruption at the national level through knowledge exchange, capacity building and the dissemination of best practices.

Medium-term outcomes

TI-S has laid out its specific contribution to TI’s Strategy 2016-2020 in its Implementation Plan 2016-2020. Its three objectives according to the movement’s three intervention lines are:

People and partners

Anti-corruption remains a core aspect of the global development agenda and concrete progress is made through TI-S’ participation in international fora.

Prevention, enforcement and justice

Anti-corruption efforts are strengthened and promoted in the business sector, and the enforcement of global standards in business integrity ensured. 

The “Grand Corrupt” are increasingly being held accountable and punished.

Strong movement

Collective understanding about what works to stop corruption is advanced and TI’s global priorities sup­ported with action-oriented research.

Results

Expected results:  

For each of TI-S’ three priority areas, SDC has primarily selected the following outputs. Overall monitoring of TI-S’ logical framework will, however, also be undertaken:

People and partners

Targeted governments (national and/or sub-national) implement recommendations to reduce corruption (in land, education, public security, health, public finances and/or development and climate financing) 

Prevention, enforcement and justice

Central beneficial ownership registries are a norm, with at least half of progressive coun­tries establishing public registries. 

Strong movement

TI’s research and impact evidence influ­ences external stakeholders’ and partners’ work, decisions and direction.


Results from previous phases:  

TI is a strong brand and is seen as a key global resource due to its innovative and high-quality research products and indices.

TI-S has successfully advocated for the adoption of global anti-corruption policies, such as SDG 16, which aims to promote and ensure peaceful, just and inclusive societies.

The identification of synergies between SDC’s Global and South Cooperation, such as the funding of TI national Chapters (e.g. Bangladesh), was encouraged to enhance SDC’s work on corruption.

More than 52,000 people have contacted TI’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres (ALACs) between 2012 and March 2016. Out of these almost 27,000 cases of corruption were opened by TI’s chapters, with a 47% success rate.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
  • Other international or foreign NGO North


Coordination with other projects and actors

SDC has made strong commitments to the governance agenda. With its aim to end impunity for Grand Corruption, TI is in line with SDC’s prioritization of asset return and combatting large-scale corruption.

With respect to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) review cycles, TI is a key player reminding governments to stick to commitments, while encouraging them to be transparent about the UNCAC review findings. This is a specific topic which is important for Switzerland’s position in the UNCAC (responsible FDFA/ASA).

SDC’s Regional Cooperation is currently supporting TI’s national Chapter in Bangladesh and some interest was expressed in supporting further Chapters to enhance synergies between SDC’s divisions.

Alongside its core contribution, Switzerland provides support to UNDP’s Global Rule of Law Initiative – the “Global Programme to Strengthen the Rule of Law and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace and Fostering Development” – which includes some outcomes on anti-corruption.

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    1’600’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’600’000
Project phases

Phase 13 01.12.2016 - 30.06.2021   (Completed)

Phase 12 01.01.2014 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)