# How OGP Members Can Counter Covert Foreign Political Finance URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/policy-counter-covert-foreign-political-finance Type: Publication or report Published: 2022-09-12 Updated: 2022-09-12 --- 12 September 2022 Across the world, foreign covert actors are seeking to influence elections and shift public discourse. Opaque contributions to candidates and political parties are an instrument of interference in political and electoral processes. **Covert foreign political finance** is defined as “the funding of foreign political parties, candidates, campaigns, well-connected elites or politically influential groups, often through non-transparent structures designed to obfuscate ties to a nation state or its proxies.” The types of campaigns targeted by covert foreign donors can include both elections and direct democracy processes such as referendums or initiatives. There is as yet no global consensus on an optimal political finance model; countries around the world vary greatly in terms of the degree of regulation on key aspects including spending levels, donation limits and reporting procedures. However, what is broadly agreed upon is the concern regarding the dangers of foreign-sponsored political finance. Currently 70 per cent of nations around the world ban foreign-interest donations to political parties. Covert foreign political finance is rarely channeled in the form of a direct bank transfer. Three commonly used categories of in-kind contributions have been recognised by researchers so far: - tangible benefits, such as financial loans or expensive gifts - media services like tailor-made social media manipulation - valuable information like opposition research This policy brief by Transparency International, National Democratic Institute and Open Government Partnership explores how openness and oversight of political finance can help detect and address the use of covert foreign political influence. ### Related publications ## [Protecting civic space in extractives governance: Towards enhanced EITI engagement on civic space](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/protecting-civic-space-in-extractives-governance) Publication • 05 October 2026 This brief evaluates the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative's (EITI) existing approach to addressing civic space challenges arising in EITI implementing countries and… ## [Regional Assessment of Integrity in Political Finance in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/integrity-political-finance-asia) Publication • 03 September 2026 This report reviews systems across 17 countries to identify the areas of political finance most in need of reform. ## [Monitoring political finance: Compendium of citizen initiatives and good practices](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/monitoring-political-finance-compendium-of-citizen-initiatives-and-good-practices) Publication • 18 August 2026 This compendium aims to provide ideas for stakeholders interested in monitoring political finance. It presents seven monitoring and disclosure solutions from around the world,… ## [From promises to action: navigating Afghanistan's anti-corruption commitments](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/from-promises-to-action-navigating-afghanistans-anti-corruption-commitments) Publication • 04 October 2016 ## Priorities - [Political integrity](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/political-integrity) ## Regions - [Global](https://www.transparency.org/en/region/global) ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/MicrosoftTeams-image-34.png?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/FINAL-August-2022-NDI-OGP-TI-Covert-Foreign-Political-Finance-Brief.pdf)