Examples of anti-corruption clauses in cooperation agreements

Query

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Purpose

Our agency does not have a comprehensive anti-corruption/ethical framework in place yet. We are increasingly using agreements with public partner for the implementation of our programs and would like to introduce anti-corruption safeguards in addition to regular financial controls into these agreements.

Content

1. Overview of corruption risks to be addressed in cooperation agreements
2. Examples of risk mitigation strategies in cooperation agreements
3. Lessons learnt from the implementation of anti-corruption clauses
4. References

Summary

No aid modality is free from fraud and corruption risks and most donors have developed anti-corruption strategies to safeguard their funds from corruption. This includes committing to a “no bribe” policy both internally and externally.

In dealings with development partners, the key pillars of these anti-corruption strategies typically cover three major dimensions, namely prevention, detection, and a regime of appropriate sanctions.

Introducing specific anti-corruption clauses in cooperation agreements is an important means to integrate corruption into the political dialogue with partners. In addition, donors’ corruption risk management strategies also include efforts to improve the project design process with the objective to explicitly assess and address corruption risks at all stages of the programme cycle, to promote greater transparency, disclosure and civil society participation as well as to strengthen the monitoring and supervision of development projects at the implementation stage.

Ensuring that adequate strategies and resources are made available to support the implementation of these strategies is essential, particularly in countries affected by high levels of corruption, where enforcing a zero tolerance policy is a significant challenge.

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