Sida works actively to combat corruption. Photo: Jack Mikrut/Scanpix

Sida works actively to combat corruption. Photo: Jack Mikrut/Scanpix

Our Work Against Corruption

Corruption affects development

Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009

Changed: Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Fighting corruption is one of Sida’s most prioritized areas. This is natural given that corruption is widespread in many of the countries with which Sida cooperates and poverty and corruption often go hand-in-hand. Corruption affects the poorest the most and can make poverty worse in many ways. Corruption poses a serious threat to development.

Sida’s assignment from the Swedish government includes combating, and minimizing the risk of corruption. The assignment means that Sida is to ensure that Swedish development funds are not misused and that the overall target of Sida’s operations is not jeopardized as a result of corruption. The poorest suffer from corruption the most. For example, their daily situation is made worse when public services cost extra in the form of bribes.

Corruption affects economic growth

A corrupt society means there is a risk of permanent poverty because it makes the wealthy even wealthier and the poor even poorer. Corruption also affects economic growth and the development of a well-functioning constitutional state and democracy. Combating corruption is therefore a central development issue.

Projects to improve the public sector

The most effective efforts to combat corruption are often not purely anti-corruption projects, but rather projects and programmes that aim to establish a better functioning public sector, improve civil society or political institutions. One important step in the work involving public financial management and tax systems is to counteract the existing corruption in the public system. Support for free media and for the creation of a well-functioning judicial system also counteracts corruption. 

Sida is working against corruption on four levels

  • Ethics and integrity within Sida.
  • Measures to ensure that Sweden’s development assistance funds are used appropriately.
  • Efforts to counteract corruption in Sweden’s partner countries.
  • Participating in global anti-corruption work and international collaboration.

Sida’s anti-corruption rule was revised in December 2008. The rule highlights our attitude: Never accept, always act and always inform someone when you suspect corruption. Sida has a process for handling commissions and an investigation group that is looks into cases.

  • Sida defines corruption as a misuse of trust, power or position that leads to improper gain.
  • By corruption we mean bribes, slush money, extortion, favouritism and nepotism, as well as embezzlement, swindling and partiality.

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