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{{Short description|International non-governmental organization}}
{{Short description|International non-governmental organization}}
{{About|the international umbrella organization|its national member organizations}}
{{About|the international umbrella organization|its national member organizations}}
{{Lead rewrite|reason=The lead should summarize the article, and currently is not a good overall summary of the article. (For example, there is a rather large section on controversies, with no mention in the lead.)|date=October 2025}}
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| leader_title4            = Vice-Chair
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| leader_name4            = [[Ketakandriana Rafitoson]]
| leader_name4            = [[Ketakandriana Rafitoson]]
| founder                  = Laurence Cockcroft, Peter Conze, Peter Eigen, Fritz Heimann, Michael Hershman, Kamal Hossain, Jerry Parfitt, Jeremy Pope, Roy Stacy, Frank Vogl, Obiageli "Aby" Ezekwesili
| founder                  = Laurence Cockcroft, Peter Conze, Peter Eigen, Fritz Heimann, Michael Hershman, Kamal Hossain, Gerald Parfitt, Jeremy Pope, Roy Stacy, Frank Vogl, Obiageli "Aby" Ezekwesili
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'''Transparency International e.V.''' ('''TI''') is a German [[Registered association (Germany)|registered association]] founded in 1993 by former employees of the [[World Bank]]. Based in [[Berlin]], its [[Nonprofit organization|nonprofit]] and non-governmental purpose is to take action to combat global<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/impact|title=Our impact – Transparency International|first=Transparency International|last=e.V.|website=www.transparency.org}}</ref> [[corruption]] with civil societal [[anti-corruption]] measures and to [[Crime prevention|prevent criminal activities]] arising from corruption. Its most notable publications include the [[Global Corruption Barometer]] and the [[Corruption Perceptions Index]]. TI serves as an [[umbrella organization]]. From 1993 to today, its membership has grown from a few individuals to more than 100 national chapters, which engage in fighting perceived [[corruption]] in their home countries.<ref name="Transparency International e.V">{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/whoweare/organisation|title=Our Organisation – overview|author=Transparency International e.V.|work=transparency.org|access-date=2015-04-27|archive-date=2012-04-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429021412/https://www.transparency.org/whoweare/organisation|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Corruption Perceptions Index reveals widespread corruption is…|url=https://www.transparency.org/en/press/2020-corruption-perceptions-index-reveals-widespread-corruption-is-weakening-covid-19-response-threatening-global-recovery|access-date=2021-04-08|website=Transparency.org|date=28 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref> TI is a member of [[G20]] Think Tanks,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.g20-insights.org/think_tanks/|title=Think Tanks|website=G20 Insights}}</ref> [[UNESCO]] [[Consultative Status]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/NGO/pdf/cns-eng_avec_sigles.pdf|title=NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO in consultative status|website=unesco.org|date=}}</ref> [[United Nations Global Compact]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/participants/9482-Transparency-International|title=Transparency International &#124; UN Global Compact|website=www.unglobalcompact.org}}</ref> [[Sustainable Development Solutions Network]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indicators.report/indicators/i-94/|title=94. Perception of public sector corruption – Indicators and a Monitoring Framework|website=indicators.report}}</ref> and shares the goals of peace, justice, strong institutions and partnerships of the [[United Nations Sustainable Development Group|United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG)]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/partnership/partners/?id=851|title=Transparency International – United Nations Partnerships for SDGs platform|website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org}}</ref> TI is a social partner of [[Global Alliance in Management Education]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cems.org/corporate-social-partners/cems-social-partners|title=CEMS Social Partners &#124; CEMS|website=www.cems.org}}</ref> TI confirmed the dis-accreditation of the national chapter of [[United States of America]] in 2017.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/news/pressrelease/transparency_international_confirms_the_disaccreditation_of_its_chapter_in|title=Transparency International confirms the disaccreditation of its chapter in the US|first=Transparency International|last=e.V.}}</ref>


According to the [[Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program|2016 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report]], TI was number 9 of 100 in the ''Top Think Tanks Worldwide (non-U.S.)'' category and number 27 of 150 in the ''Top Think Tanks Worldwide (U.S. and non-U.S.)'' category.<ref name="Global Go To">{{cite web| author=James G. McGann (Director) |author-link=James McGann|url=http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=think_tanks|title=2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report |date=February 4, 2015 |access-date=February 14, 2015 }} Other "Top Think Tank" rankings include #7 (of 80) in Top Think Tanks in Western Europe, #13 (of 85) in Foreign Policy and International Affairs Think Tanks, #1 (of 40) in Transparency and Good Governance Think Tanks, #2 (of 75) for Best Advocacy Campaign, #42 (of 65) for Best Managed Think Tanks, #10 (of 60) for Best Use of Social Networks, #8 (of 60) of Think Tanks with the Best External Relations/Public Engagement Program, #4 (of 40) for Best Use of the Internet, #9 (of 40) for Best Use of Media, and #10 (of 70) for the Most Significant Impact on Public Policy, #8 (of 60) of Think Tanks with Outstanding Policy-Oriented Public Programs.</ref>
'''Transparency International e.V.''' ('''TI''') is a German [[Registered association (Germany)|registered association]] founded in 1993 by former employees of the [[World Bank]]. Based in [[Berlin]], its [[Nonprofit organization|nonprofit]] and non-governmental purpose is to take action to combat global<ref name="impact">
{{cite web|
url=https://www.transparency.org/impact|
title=Our impact|
publisher=Transparency International|
website=www.transparency.org}}</ref> [[corruption]] with civil societal [[anti-corruption]] measures and to [[Crime prevention|prevent criminal activities]] arising from corruption. Its most notable publications include the [[Global Corruption Barometer]] and the [[Corruption Perceptions Index]]. TI serves as an [[umbrella organization]]. Since 1993 to the present day, its membership has grown from a few individuals to more than 100 national chapters, which engage in fighting perceived [[corruption]] in their home countries.<ref name="organisation">
{{cite web|
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/the-organisation|
title=Our Organisation |
publisher=Transparency International|
website=transparency.org|
access-date=2025-11-08}}</ref><ref name="CPI">
{{Cite web|
title=Corruption Perceptions Index|
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/|
access-date=2025-11-09|
website=Transparency.org|
publisher=Transparency International|
date=January 2024 |
language=en}}</ref> TI is a member of [[G20]] Think Tanks (T20) as well as Civil Society 20,<ref>
{{Cite web|
url=https://www.g20-insights.org/think_tanks/|
title=Think Tanks|
publisher=G20 Insights|
url-status=dead}}</ref> [[UNESCO]] [[Consultative Status]],<ref>
{{cite web |
url=http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/NGO/pdf/cns-eng_avec_sigles.pdf|
title=NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO in consultative status|
publisher=unesco.org|
url-status=dead}}</ref> [[United Nations Global Compact]],<ref>
{{Cite web|
url=https://www.unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/participants/9482-Transparency-International|
title=Transparency Internationa and UN Global Compact|
website=www.unglobalcompact.org|
publisher=UN Global Compact}}</ref> [[Sustainable Development Solutions Network]]<ref>
{{Cite web|
url=https://indicators.report/indicators/i-94/|
title=Indicators Report – Indicators & Monitoring Framework for the SDGs |
publisher=indicators.report |
date=18 September 2025}}</ref> and shares the goals of peace, justice, strong institutions and partnerships of the [[United Nations Sustainable Development Group|United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG)]].<ref>
{{Cite web|
url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/partnership/partners/?id=851|
title=Transparency International – United Nations Partnerships for SDGs platform|
publisher=United Nations|
website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org}}</ref> TI is a social partner of [[Global Alliance in Management Education]].<ref>
{{Cite web|
url=https://www.cems.org/corporate-social-partners/cems-social-partners|
title=CEMS Social Partners|
publisher=The Global Alliance in Management Eduation|
website=www.cems.org}}</ref> TI confirmed the dis-accreditation of the national chapter of [[United States of America]] in 2017 and a new TI USA chapter was established in 2020.<ref name="TIUSA">
{{cite press release|
title=Transparency International confirms the disaccreditation of its chapter in the US |
publisher=Transparency International|
location=Berlin|
date=24 January 2017 |
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/press/transparency-international-confirms-the-disaccreditation-of-its-chapter-in}}</ref> According to the [[Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program|2016 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report]], TI was number 9 of 100 in the ''Top Think Tanks Worldwide (non-U.S.)'' category and number 27 of 150 in the ''Top Think Tanks Worldwide (U.S. and non-U.S.)'' category.<ref>
{{cite web|
first=James G. |
last=McGann|
url=http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=think_tanks|
title=2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report |
date=February 4, 2015 |
access-date=February 14, 2015 }}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Transparency International was founded on 9 February 1993 in [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]]; it was formally registered on 15 June 1993 in [[Berlin]], [[Germany]]. According to political scientist Ellen Gutterman, "TI's presence in Germany, and indeed its organizational development and rise from a small operation to a prominent international [[Transnational organization|TNGO]] , benefited from the activities and personal connections of at least three key German individuals: [[Peter Eigen]], [[Hansjoerg Elshorst]], and Michael Wiehen".<ref>
{{cite journal|
url=http://www.cpsa-acsp.ca/papers-2012/Gutterman2.pdf|
title=The Legitimacy of Transnational NGOs: Lessons from the Experience of Transparency International in Germany and France (PDF)|
journal=Paper Submitted to the 84th Annual Conference of the Canadian Political Science Association |
author=Ellen Gutterman |
date=June 2012}}</ref> The other founding members included:
<ref name=Larmour>
{{cite book |
first=Peter |
last=Larmour |
editor1-first=Brett |
editor1-last=Bowden |
title=Global standards of market civilization |
publisher=Routledge |
date=September 2006 |
pages=95–106 |
isbn=0-415-37545-2}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web |
first=Bill |
last=Hicks |
title=Transparency International - Holier than thou |
publisher=pinkindustry.wordpress.com|
year=2010 |
url=https://pinkindustry.wordpress.com/transparency-international/}}</ref> Peter Conze (a former regional director of [[Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit|GTZ]]), Laurence Cockcroft, Fritz Heimann of [[General Electric]],<ref>
{{cite web|
url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/cfr/world/20060501faessay_v85n3_Heineman.html|
title=Foreign Affairs Magazine: The Long War Against Corruption |
access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web|
url=http://groups.colgate.edu/cews/people/bios_old/heimann.htm|
title=CEWS - Panelist Biographies - Butler|access-date=16 November 2016|
url-status=dead|
archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117013913/http://groups.colgate.edu/cews/people/bios_old/heimann.htm|
archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> [[Michael J. Hershman]] of the U.S. [[military intelligence]],<ref>
{{cite web|
url=http://www.fairfaxgroup.us/bio_hershman.php|
title=Senior Division Leaders: Michael J. Hershman|
website=Fairfax Group|
access-date=2015-10-10|
archive-date=2015-08-14|
archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814064313/http://fairfaxgroup.us/bio_hershman.php|
url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Kamal Hossain]] (former Minister of Foreign Affairs of [[Bangladesh]]),<ref name="council">
{{cite web|
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/the-organisation/international-council|
title=International Council|
publisher=Transparency International|
website=www.transparency.org|
access-date=2015-11-08}}</ref> Gerald Parfitt (formerly of [[PricewaterhouseCoopers]] [[Ukraine]]),<ref>
{{Cite web|
url=https://groupdf.com/en/o-kompanii-angl/korporativnoe-upravlenie-ang/the-audit-committee/dzherald-parfitt/|
title=Gerald Parfitt Group DF|
publisher=Group DF|
access-date=2015-11-08}}</ref> [[Jeremy Pope (activist)|Jeremy Pope]], Roy Stacy, Frank Vogl (of the [[World Bank]])<ref>
{{cite web|
url=https://acgc.cipe.org/business-of-integrity-blog/corruption-hasnt-changed-a-conversation-with-frank-vogl/|
title=Corruption hasn’t changed: a conversation with Frank Vogl|
publisher=CIPE’s Anti-Corruption & Governance Center|
date=6 October 2017|


Transparency International was founded on 9 February 1993 in [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]]; it was formally registered on 15 June 1993 in [[Berlin]], [[Germany]]. According to political scientist Ellen Gutterman, "TI's presence in Germany, and indeed its organizational development and rise from a small operation to a prominent international [[Transnational organization|TNGO]] [Transnational Non Governmental Organisation], benefited from the activities and personal connections of at least three key German individuals: [[Peter Eigen]], Hansjoerg Elshorst, and Michael Wiehen".<ref name="gutterman">{{cite journal|url=http://www.cpsa-acsp.ca/papers-2012/Gutterman2.pdf|title=The Legitimacy of Transnational NGOs: Lessons from the Experience of Transparency International in Germany and France (PDF)|journal=Paper Submitted to the 84th Annual Conference of the Canadian Political Science Association |author=Ellen Gutterman |date=June 2012}}</ref>
access-date=9 November 2025}}</ref>


The founding members included:<ref>{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20140502005154/http://www.iaaca.org/AntiCorruptionAuthorities/ByInternationalOrganizations/NonGovernmentalOrganization/201202/t20120220_807871.shtml Transparency International（TI）]}}, International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities</ref><ref name=Larmour>{{cite book | first=Peter | last=Larmour | editor1-first=Brett |editor1-last=Bowden | title=Global standards of market civilization | publisher=Routledge |date=September 2006 | pages=95–106 |isbn=0-415-37545-2}}</ref>
An important moment in its history was in 1995 when TI developed the [[Corruption Perceptions Index]] (CPI). The CPI ranks nations on the prevalence of corruption within each country, based upon surveys of business people. The CPI was subsequently published annually. It was initially criticized for poor methodology and unfair treatment of developing nations, while also being praised for highlighting corruption.<ref name=Chaikin>
 
{{cite book |  
*[[Peter Eigen]], a former regional director for the [[World Bank]], is recognized as a founder.<ref name="gutterman"/>
first=David |  
*Peter Conze, a former regional director of GTZ (then [[Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit]])
last=Chaikin |  
*Laurence Cockcroft
title=Corruption and money laundering: a symbiotic relationship |  
*Fritz Heimann of [[General Electric]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://groups.colgate.edu/cews/people/bios_old/heimann.htm|title=CEWS - Panelist Biographies - Butler|access-date=16 November 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117013913/http://groups.colgate.edu/cews/people/bios_old/heimann.htm|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref>
publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |
*[[Michael J. Hershman]] of the U.S. [[military intelligence]] establishment (now President and CEO of the Fairfax Group).<ref name="fairfax">{{cite web|url=http://www.fairfaxgroup.us/bio_hershman.php|title=Senior Division Leaders: Michael J. Hershman|website=Fairfax Group|access-date=2015-10-10|archive-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814064313/http://fairfaxgroup.us/bio_hershman.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
date=June 2009 |  
*[[Kamal Hossain]], former Minister of Foreign Affairs of [[Bangladesh]].<ref name="transparency">{{cite web|url=http://www.transparency.org/whoweare/organisation/advisory_council/0/|title=Advisory Council|website=Transparency.org|access-date=2015-10-10|archive-date=2015-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102145920/http://www.transparency.org/whoweare/organisation/advisory_council/0/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
pages=12–13 |  
*Gerald Parfitt, formerly of [[Coopers & Lybrand]] (then [[PricewaterhouseCoopers]]) in [[Ukraine]].<ref name="gdf">{{Cite web|url=https://groupdf.com/en/o-kompanii-angl/korporativnoe-upravlenie-ang/the-audit-committee/dzherald-parfitt/|title=Gerald Parfitt|website=Group DF}}</ref>
isbn=978-0-230-61360-7}}</ref>
*[[Jeremy Pope (activist)|Jeremy Pope]], a New Zealand activist and writer.<ref>{{cite web | first=Bill | last=Hicks | title=Transparency International | publisher=Pinkindustry.com | year=2010 | url=https://pinkindustry.wordpress.com/transparency-international/}}</ref>
*Roy Stacy
*Frank Vogl, a senior official at the [[World Bank]] and head of Vogl Communications, Inc., which has "provided advice to leaders of international finance".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-vogl/|title=Frank Vogl - The Huffington Post|website=[[HuffPost]]|access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref>
In 1995, TI developed the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). The CPI ranked nations on the prevalence of corruption within each country, based upon surveys of business people. The CPI was subsequently published annually. It was initially criticized for poor methodology and unfair treatment of developing nations, while also being praised for highlighting corruption and embarrassing governments.<ref name=Chaikin>{{cite book | first=David | last=Chaikin | title=Corruption and money laundering: a symbiotic relationship | publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |date=June 2009 | pages=12–13 | isbn=978-0-230-61360-7}}</ref>
 
Starting in 1999 and ending in 2011, TI published the [[Bribe Payers Index]] (BPI) which ranked nations according to the perceived likelihood that a country's [[multinational corporations]] would offer bribes.<ref name=Chaikin/> Spokesperson Shubham Kaushik said the organization "decided to discontinue the survey due to funding issues and to focus on issues that are more in line with our advocacy goals".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-26 |title=Old Wall Street Journal report about corruption in Malaysia recirculates online |url=https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.32EG28Z |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Fact Check |language=en}}</ref> The ''[[Journal of Business Ethics]]'' states "Bribery in international business transactions can be seen as a function of not only the demand for such bribes in different countries, but the supply, or willingness to provide bribes by multinational firms and their representatives. This study addresses the propensity of firms from 30 different countries to engage in international bribery".<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Baughn |first1=Christopher |last2=Bodie |first2=Nancy L. |last3=Buchanan |first3=Mark A. |last4=Bixby |first4=Michael B. |date=2010 |title=Bribery in International Business Transactions |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25621541 |journal=Journal of Business Ethics |volume=92 |issue=1 |pages=15–32 |doi=10.1007/s10551-009-0136-7 |jstor=25621541 |s2cid=154833690 |issn=0167-4544|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
 
Since 2005, TI has published thirteen Exporting Corruption reports. Exporting Corruption is a research report that rates the bribery-related performance of leading global exporters, including countries that are signatories of [[OECD Anti-Bribery Convention]].<ref name="transparency.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/exporting-corruption|title=Exporting Corruption 2020 - Projects|website=Transparency.org|date=11 October 2022 }}</ref>
 
In April 2015 [[Russia|Russia's]] [[Ministry of Justice (Russia)|Ministry of Justice]] added TI to the so-called list of [[Russian foreign agent law|"foreign agents"]].<ref>{{Cite news|lang=en|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-adds-transparency-internatuional-to-foreign-agents-list/26944865.html|title=Russia Adds Transparency International To Foreign Agents List|website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=8 April 2015 |access-date=2023-08-16}}</ref> On 6 March 2023, TI was declared an [[Russian undesirable organizations law|undesirable organization]] in [[Russia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/03/06/russia-declares-transparency-international-undesirable_6018406_4.html|title=Russia declares Transparency International 'undesirable'|website=[[Le Monde]]|date=March 6, 2023|accessdate=March 6, 2023}}</ref>
 
Since 2023 TI partners with [[ChatBot]] and utilises [[artificial intelligence]] technology on its website to enhance its digital engagement and support transparency initiatives at scale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home Transparency.org |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Transparency.org |language=en}}</ref>


==Areas of work and products==
==Areas of work and products==
<blockquote>Transparency International is the global civil society organization leading the fight against corruption. It brings people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world. TI's mission is to create change towards a world free of corruption.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs : Transparency International |url=https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/pbei/sites/ti.html |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu}}</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>''Transparency International is the global civil society organization leading the fight against corruption. It brings people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world. TI's mission is to create change towards a world free of corruption''.<ref>
The organization defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain which eventually hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/whatwedo|title=Transparency International – What we do|author=Transparency International e.V.|work=transparency.org|access-date=2015-04-27|archive-date=2015-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415041234/http://www.transparency.org/whatwedo?|url-status=dead}}</ref> It develops tools for fighting corruption and works with other civil society organizations, companies and governments to implement them. Since 1995, TI has issued an annual [[Corruption Perceptions Index]] (CPI); it also publishes a [[Global Corruption Report]], a [[Global Corruption Barometer]], and a Bribe Payers Index. In 2010, TI developed a five-year strategy with six strategic priorities organized by the following categories: People, Institutions, Laws, Values, Network, Impact.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/whoweare/organisation/strategy_2015/1|title=2015 Strategy|author=Transparency International e.V.|work=transparency.org}}</ref> In 2015, TI developed a five-year strategy which sets out their collective ambition for the coming years. ''Together against Corruption: Transparency International Strategy 2020'' is a strategy by and for the TI movement. This strategy is based on more than 1500 external and internal contributions addressing both the corruption environment of today and the one TI anticipates in the years ahead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/whoweare/organisation/strategy_2020/1|title=2020 Strategy|author=Transparency International e.V.|work=transparency.org}}</ref>
{{Cite web |
title=Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs : Transparency International |
url=https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/pbei/sites/ti.html |
access-date=2024-05-18 |
website=ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu}}</ref></blockquote>
The organization defines corruption as ''the abuse of entrusted power for private gain'' which eventually hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority.<ref name=whatwedo>
{{cite web|
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/what-we-do|
title=Transparency International – What we do|
author=Transparency International e.V.|
work=transparency.org|
access-date=2025-11-08}}</ref> It develops tools for fighting corruption and works with other civil society organizations, companies and governments to implement them. Since 1995, TI has issued an annual [[Corruption Perceptions Index]] (CPI); it also publishes a [[Global Corruption Report]], a [[Global Corruption Barometer]], and a Bribe Payers Index. In the years leading up to 2030, Transparency International is dedicated to leading the global fight against corruption via its strategy: "''Holding Power to Account – A Global Strategy Against Corruption 2021-2030''". It sets out how the Movement aims to contribute to "a more positive future; a world in which power is held to account, for the common good". <ref name="strategy">
{{cite web|
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/the-organisation/our-strategy|
title=A Global Strategy Against Corruption 2021-2030|
author=Transparency International e.V.|
work=transparency.org}}</ref>  


=== Corruption Perceptions Index ===
=== Corruption Perceptions Index ===
{{Main|Corruption Perceptions Index}}
{{Main|Corruption Perceptions Index}}
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. It is a composite index – a combination of polls – drawing on corruption-related data collected by a variety of reputable institutions. The CPI reflects the views of observers from around the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2012/in_detail/|title=2012 Corruption Perceptions Index – In detail|author=Transparency International e.V.|work=transparency.org}}</ref>
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. It is a composite index – a combination of polls – drawing on corruption-related data collected by a variety of reputable institutions. The CPI reflects the views of observers from around the world.<ref name="CPI" />


The Corruption Perceptions Index has been criticised for measuring ''perception'' and not "reality". The creators of the index argue that "perceptions matter in their own right, since... firms and individuals take actions based on perceptions".<ref>{{cite book|last=Uslaner|first=Eric M. |title=Corruption, inequality, and the rule of law: the bulging pocket makes the easy life|publisher=Cambridge University Press
The Corruption Perceptions Index has been criticised for measuring ''perception'' and not "reality". The creators of the index argue that "perceptions matter in their own right, since... firms and individuals take actions based on perceptions".<ref>
|year=2008|pages=11–17|isbn=978-0-521-87489-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TLvfSVkZYo4C&pg=PA11}}</ref>
{{cite book|
last=Uslaner|
first=Eric M. |
title=Corruption, inequality, and the rule of law: the bulging pocket makes the easy life|
publisher=Cambridge University Press
|year=2008|
pages=11–17|
isbn=978-0-521-87489-2|
url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TLvfSVkZYo4C&pg=PA11}}</ref>
According to the newspaper ''[[Le Monde]]'': "In its main surveys, Transparency International does not measure the weight of corruption in economic terms for each country. It develops a Corruption Perception Index (CPI) based on surveys conducted by private structures or other NGOs: the [[Economist Intelligence Unit]], backed by the British liberal weekly newspaper ''[[The Economist]]'', the American neoconservative organization [[Freedom House]], the [[World Economic Forum]], or large corporations. (...) The CPI ignores corruption cases that concern the business world. So, the collapse of [[Bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers|Lehman Brothers]] (2008) or the manipulation of the money market reference rate ([[Libor]]) by major British banks revealed in 2011 did not affect the ratings of the [[United States]] or [[United Kingdom]]." A common counter argument is that it is not plausible to ever measure the true scale and depth of a highly complex issue like corruption with a single number, and then rank countries accordingly.<ref>
{{Cite news|
date=2013-12-03|
title=Is Transparency International's measure of corruption still valid?|
url=http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/dec/03/transparency-international-measure-corruption-valid|
access-date=2021-10-08|
website=the Guardian|
language=en}}</ref>


=== International Anti-Corruption Conference ===
=== International Anti-Corruption Conference ===
Line 94: Line 235:


===Global Anti-Corruption Consortium (GACC)===
===Global Anti-Corruption Consortium (GACC)===
Since 2016, TI has partnered with the [[Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project]] (OCCRP). The partnership enables knowledge and evidence gathered through OCCRP's corruption investigations to inform TI's policy and legal advocacy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Global Anti-Corruption Consortium |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/global-anti-corruption-consortium |website=Transparency International |access-date=5 December 2024}}</ref> The programme is co-funded by three governments, including the US, and private donors.<ref>{{cite news |last=Philippin |first=Yann |last2=Candea |first2=Stefan |date=5 December 2024 |title=The hidden links between a giant of investigative journalism and the US government |url=https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/021224/hidden-links-between-giant-investigative-journalism-and-us-government |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=MediaPart}}</ref>
Since 2016, TI has partnered with the [[Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project]] (OCCRP). The partnership enables knowledge and evidence gathered through OCCRP's corruption investigations to inform TI's policy and legal advocacy.<ref>
{{cite web |
title=Global Anti-Corruption Consortium |
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/global-anti-corruption-consortium |
website=Transparency International |
access-date=9 November 2025}}</ref> The programme is co-funded by three governments, including the US, and private donors.<ref>
{{cite news |
last1=Philippin |
first1=Yann |
last2=Candea |
first2=Stefan |
date=5 December 2024 |
title=The hidden links between a giant of investigative journalism and the US government |
url=https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/021224/hidden-links-between-giant-investigative-journalism-and-us-government |
access-date=5 December 2024 |
work=MediaPart}}</ref>


=== Other key products ===
=== Other key products ===
*The ''Global Corruption Barometer'' (GCB) is a survey that asks citizens about their direct personal experience of corruption in their daily lives.<ref>
{{cite web |
publisher=Transparency International |
title=Global Corruption Barometer: citizens' voices from around the world |
url=https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/global_corruption_barometer_citizens_voices_from_around_the_world |
access-date=23 April 2019 |
archive-date=21 April 2019 |
archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421193203/https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/global_corruption_barometer_citizens_voices_from_around_the_world |
url-status=dead }}</ref>
*The ''Global Corruption Report'' picks a specific topic like corruption in climate change for example and provides in-depth research.<ref> <!-- Could not find an active source for this depreciated product -->
{{cite web |
title=Global Corruption Report |
url=https://www.transparency.org/research/gcr |
website=www.transparency.org|
url-status=dead }}</ref>
*''National integrity system'' assessments are designed to provide comprehensive analysis on a given country's mechanisms to fight corruption.<ref name="NIS">
{{cite web |
title=What we do - National integrity system assessments |
url=https://www.transparency.org/whatwedo/nis |
website=www.transparency.org}}</ref>
*The ''Government Defence Integrity Index'' first published in 2013 measures corruption in the defence sector of 82 countries.<ref>
{{cite web |
title=Government Defence Integrity Index |
publisher=Transparency International |
year=2025 |
url=https://ti-defence.org/gdi/}}</ref> Some governments have expressed criticism towards the methodology of the report. TI defended the report and stressed the importance of transparency in the military sector. The plan was to publish the index every two years.<ref>
{{cite web |
title=Transparency is feasible |
author=Mark Pyman |
publisher=dandc.eu |
date=March 2013 |
url=http://www.dandc.eu/en/article/transparency-international-assesses-82-governments-defence-related-corruption-risks-first}}</ref>
*The ''[[Bribe Payers Index]]'' (BPI) first published in 1999 which ranked nations according to the perceived likelihood that a country's [[multinational corporations]] would offer bribes.<ref name=Chaikin/> The last edition was released in 2011 after which the project was closed for funding reasons.<ref>
{{Cite web |
date=2022-07-26 |
title=Old Wall Street Journal report about corruption in Malaysia recirculates online |
url=https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.32EG28Z |
access-date=2024-01-07 |
website=Fact Check |
language=en}}</ref> The ''[[Journal of Business Ethics]]'' states "Bribery in international business transactions can be seen as a function of not only the demand for such bribes in different countries, but the supply, or willingness to provide bribes by multinational firms and their representatives. This study addresses the propensity of firms from 30 different countries to engage in international bribery".<ref>
{{Cite journal |
last1=Baughn |
first1=Christopher |
last2=Bodie |
first2=Nancy L. |
last3=Buchanan |
first3=Mark A. |
last4=Bixby |
first4=Michael B. |
date=2010 |
title=Bribery in International Business Transactions |
url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25621541 |
journal=Journal of Business Ethics |
volume=92 |issue=1 | pages=15–32 | doi=10.1007/s10551-009-0136-7 |jstor=25621541 |s2cid=154833690 |issn=0167-4544|url-access=subscription }}</ref>


*The Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) is a survey that asks citizens about their direct personal experience of corruption in their daily lives.<ref>{{cite web |last1=e.V |first1=Transparency International |title=Global Corruption Barometer: citizens' voices from around the world |url=https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/global_corruption_barometer_citizens_voices_from_around_the_world |website=www.transparency.org |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421193203/https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/global_corruption_barometer_citizens_voices_from_around_the_world |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*The ''Exporting Corruption report'' first published in 2005. It is a research report that rates the bribery-related performance of leading global exporters, including countries that are signatories of [[OECD Anti-Bribery Convention]].<ref name="exporting">{{Cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/exporting-corruption|
*The Global Corruption Report picks a specific topic like corruption in climate change for example and provides in-depth research.<ref>{{cite web |title=Research - GCR - Overview |url=https://www.transparency.org/research/gcr |website=www.transparency.org}}</ref>
title=Exporting Corruption 2022 |
*National integrity system assessments are designed to provide comprehensive analysis on a given country's mechanisms to fight corruption.<ref>{{cite web |title=What we do - National integrity system assessments |url=https://www.transparency.org/whatwedo/nis |website=www.transparency.org}}</ref>
website=Transparency.org|
*In 2013, TI published the Government Defence Anti-corruption Index with which corruption in the defence sector of 82 countries was measured.<ref>{{cite web |title=Government Defence Anti-corruption Index |publisher=Transparency International |year=2013 |url=http://government.defenceindex.org/report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508093004/http://government.defenceindex.org/report |archive-date=2013-05-08 }}</ref> Some governments have expressed criticism towards the methodology of the report. Mark Pyman, the founder of TI's Defence & Security program, defended the report in an interview and stressed the importance of transparency in the military sector. The plan is to publish the index every two years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Transparency is feasible |author=Mark Pyman |publisher=dandc.eu |date=March 2013 |url=http://www.dandc.eu/en/article/transparency-international-assesses-82-governments-defence-related-corruption-risks-first}}</ref>
date=9 November 2025}}</ref>
*Exporting Corruption is a research report that rates the corruption performance of leading exporting countries, including signatories of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.<ref name="transparency.org"/>
 
== Organizational structure ==
[[Image:Transparency International Berlin.jpg|thumb|Transparency International's headquarters in [[Berlin]]]]
According to its 2012 Annual Report, Transparency International is funded by western governments (with almost €5 million from the UK government) and several multinational companies, including oil companies [[ExxonMobil|Exxon Mobil]] and [[Shell plc|Shell]], hedge funds [[Kohlberg Kravis Roberts|KKR]] and [[Jochen Wermuth|Wermuth]] Asset Management, [[Deloitte]] and [[Ernst & Young]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/whatwedo/publication/annual_report_2012|title=TI Publication - Annual Report 2012|first=Transparency International|last=e.V.|access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref> Exxon Mobil itself was ranked in 2008 as the least transparent of 42 major oil and gas firms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7370685.stm|title=Exxon 'ranks low on transparency' |work=BBC News |date=28 April 2008 |access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref>
 
TI's leadership structure includes an advisory council, a group of individuals with extensive experience in TI's work. Drawn from diverse geographical, cultural and professional backgrounds, council members are appointed by the TI board of directors to advise them and to support the work of the organization as a whole.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/whoweare/organisation/advisory_council/0|title=Advisory Council|access-date=1 April 2019}}</ref>


Former head of technology Daniel Eriksson was appointed interim managing director in March 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Management|url=https://www.transparency.org/en/the-organisation/management|access-date=2020-06-09|website=Transparency International}}</ref> and became CEO a year later.<ref>{{cite web |title=Daniel Eriksson appointed as Transpareny International Secretariat's chief executive officer (31 March 2021) |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/press/daniel-eriksson-appointed-transparency-international-secretariat-chief-executive-officer |website=Transparency International |publisher=Transparency International |access-date=21 June 2024}}</ref> In October 2024, he announced he would be stepping down as CEO in January 2025.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7249054638430154752/ "After much consideration, I have made the decision to step down from my role as CEO of the Transparency International Secretariat at the end of January 2025"], LinkedIn. Retrieved 5 December 2024.</ref><ref>[https://x.com/anticorruption/status/1843289373023809609 "After six years of dedicated work, Daniel Eriksson has decided to step down as CEO of Transparency International."], X, 7 October 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.</ref> Maíra Martini succeeded him, taking office on 1 February 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Maíra Martini appointed Transparency International chief executive officer |url=https://www.transparency.org/en/press/maira-martini-appointed-transparency-international-chief-executive-officer |access-date=31 January 2025 |work=Transparency International |date=7 January 2025}}</ref>
==The movement==
Transparency International consists of chapters – locally established, independent organizations – that address corruption in their respective countries. In Transparency International, the collective of chapters is referred to as "The Movement".  
As chapters are staffed with local experts they are ideally placed to determine the priorities and approaches best suited to tackling corruption in their countries. This work ranges from visiting rural communities to provide free legal support to advising their government on policy reform. From small bribes to large-scale looting, corruption differs from country to country.
Corruption does however not stop at national borders. The chapters play a crucial role in shaping its collective work and realising its regional and global goals. The ambition is for chapters to be self funded and autonomous. Correspondingly, the Secretariat in Berlin is called a Secretariat to differentiate it from a Headquarter.<ref name="TIS">
{{Cite web|
lang=en|
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/the-organisation/the-secretariat|
title=Transparency International organisation structure|
date=7 November 2025 |
access-date=2025-11-07}}</ref>


=== Chapters ===
===Secretariat===
Transparency International consists of chapters – locally established, independent organizations – that address corruption in their respective countries. From small bribes to large-scale looting, corruption differs from country to country. As chapters are staffed with local experts they are ideally placed to determine the priorities and approaches best suited to tackling corruption in their countries. This work ranges from visiting rural communities to provide free legal support to advising their government on policy reform. Corruption does not stop at national borders. The chapters play a crucial role in shaping its collective work and realising its regional and global goals, such as Strategy 2015. Transparency International's multi-country research and advocacy initiatives are driven by the chapters.
[[Image:Transparency International Berlin.jpg|thumb|Transparency International's headquarters in [[Moabit]], [[Berlin]]]]
The Secretariat based in Berlin is responsible for global operations whereas chapters are autonomous and responsible for work in their own respective countries. Maíra Martini took office as CEO of the Secretariat on 1 February 2025. She previously held the position of Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Secretariat.<ref>
{{cite press release|
title=Maíra Martini appointed Transparency International chief executive officer |
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/press/maira-martini-appointed-transparency-international-chief-executive-officer |
access-date=9 November 2025 |
publisher=Transparency International |
date=7 January 2025|
location=Berlin}}</ref><ref name="TIS" />
The Movement is officially lead by the annual membership meeting of all the chapters. Between membership meetings, the TI Board of Directors lead the Movement, but delegate aspects to the CEO.<ref name="organisation" /> TI's leadership structure includes an "International council", a group of individuals with extensive experience in TI's work. Drawn from diverse geographical, cultural and professional backgrounds, council members are appointed by the TI board of directors to advise them and to support the work of the organization as a whole.<ref name="council" />


===Chapters===
Some key chapters include:
* [[Transparency International Bangladesh]], the Chapter with the largest number of members
* [[Transparency International Canada]]
* [[Transparency International Canada]]
* [[Transparency Serbia]]
* [[Transparency Serbia]]
* [[Transparency International Slovakia]]
* [[Transparency International Slovakia]]
* [[Transparency International Bangladesh]]
 
Not all chapters choose to adopt the TI name when they get selected to join the Movement. Some examples of that are:
* [[Association for a More Just Society]], TI Honduras
* [[Association for a More Just Society]], TI Honduras
* [[Corruption Watch (South Africa)]], TI South Africa
* [[Corruption Watch (South Africa)]], TI South Africa


==Controversies==
In April 2015 [[Russia|Russia's]] [[Ministry of Justice (Russia)|Ministry of Justice]] added [[Transparency International Russia|TI Russia]] to its list of [[Russian foreign agent law|"foreign agents"]].<ref>
According to the newspaper ''[[Le Monde]]'': "In its main surveys, Transparency International does not measure the weight of corruption in economic terms for each country. It develops a Corruption Perception Index (CPI) based on surveys conducted by private structures or other NGOs: the [[Economist Intelligence Unit]], backed by the British liberal weekly newspaper ''[[The Economist]]'', the American neoconservative organization [[Freedom House]], the [[World Economic Forum]], or large corporations. (...) The IPC ignores corruption cases that concern the business world. So, the collapse of [[Bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers|Lehman Brothers]] (2008) or the manipulation of the money market reference rate ([[Libor]]) by major British banks revealed in 2011 did not affect the ratings of the [[United States]] or [[United Kingdom]]." The organization also receives funding from companies that are themselves convicted of corruption offences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mondiplo.com/quien-investiga-a-los-investigadores|title=" ¿Quién investiga a los investigadores? " - Le Monde diplomatique en español|website=mondiplo.com}}</ref> CPI's reliance on opinions of a relatively small group of experts and businesspeople, has been criticised by some. Alex Cobham, fellow at the [[Center for Global Development]], states that it "embeds a powerful and misleading elite bias in popular perceptions of corruption". Others argue it is not plausible to ever measure the true scale and depth of a highly complex issue like corruption with a single number, and then rank countries accordingly.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-12-03|title=Is Transparency International's measure of corruption still valid?|url=http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/dec/03/transparency-international-measure-corruption-valid|access-date=2021-10-08|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref>
{{Cite news|
lang=en|
url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-adds-transparency-internatuional-to-foreign-agents-list/26944865.html|
title=Russia Adds Transparency International To Foreign Agents List|
website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|
date=8 April 2015 |
access-date=2023-08-16}}</ref> On 6 March 2023, TI was declared an [[Russian undesirable organizations law|undesirable organization]] in [[Russia]].<ref>
{{cite news|
url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/03/06/russia-declares-transparency-international-undesirable_6018406_4.html|
title=Russia declares Transparency International 'undesirable'|
website=[[Le Monde]]|
date=March 6, 2023|
accessdate=9 November 2025}}</ref>
 
===Disaccreditations===
'''TI Croatia''': Due to a "lack of confidence", TI's chapter in [[Croatia]] was disaccredited by the organization's board of directors in November 2015.<ref>
{{cite press release|
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/press/transparency-international-statement-on-its-former-chapter-in-croatia|
title=Press release - Transparency International statement on its former chapter in Croatia|
publisher=Transparency International|
location=Berlin|
access-date=9 November 2025}}</ref> The previous year, several leaders of the Croatia chapter challenged the legality of the chapter president's election. The president was accused of falsifying records, [[conflicts of interest]], and arbitrarily expelling 10 chapter members who opposed the hiring of staff against the organization's rules. The Croatian government eventually revoked the president's appointment.<ref>
{{cite book |
url=http://seldi.net/fileadmin/public/PDF/Publications/RAR/SELDI_Regional_Anticorruption_Report_Final_Revised.pdf |
title= Anti Corruption Reloaded Assessment of Southeast Europe |
publisher= Southeast Europe Leadership for Development and Integrity |
date=2014 |
first1= Ognian |
last1= Shentov|
first2=Ruslan |
last2=Stefanov|
first3=Boyko |
last3=Todorov |
isbn=978-954-477-221-5}}</ref>


===2013 attitude to Edward Snowden===
'''TI USA''': In January 2017, the TI Secretariat confirmed that its International Board of Directors decided on 10 January 2017 to strip its US affiliate – Transparency International USA – of its accreditation as the National Chapter in the United States.<ref name="TIUSA"/>
At its annual members' meeting in November 2013 in Berlin, TI's national chapters from Germany and Ireland proposed a resolution calling for the "end of the prosecution of [[Edward J. Snowden]]... He should be recognized as a [[whistleblower]] for his help to reveal the over-reaching and unlawful surveillance by secret services...He symbolizes the courage of numerous other whistleblowers around the world."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Snowden.pdf|title=Whistleblower protection of Edward Snowden|first1=TI|last1=Germany|first2=TI|last2=Ireland|date=10 February 2014|access-date=16 November 2018}}</ref>
The stated basis for the dis-accreditation was the board's recognition of differences in philosophies, strategies, and priorities between the former chapter and the Transparency International Movement. Elsewhere, it was reported that TI-USA came to be seen in the United States as a corporate front group, funded by multinational corporations. TI-USA's funding was provided by [[Bechtel|Bechtel Corporation]], Deloitte, Google, [[Pfizer]]  ($50,000 or more), [[Citigroup]], ExxonMobil, Fluor, [[General Electric]], [[Lockheed Martin]], Marsh & McLennan, [[PepsiCo]], [[PricewaterhouseCoopers]], [[Raytheon Technologies|Raytheon]], Realogy, Tyco ($25,000–$49,999), and Freeport-McMoRan and [[Johnson & Johnson]] (up to $24,999).<ref name="corporatecrimereporter">
{{cite web|
url=http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/transparency-international-strips-us-affiliate-of-accreditation/|
title=Transparency International Strips United States Affiliate of Accreditation|
date=19 January 2017}}</ref> TI-USA previously awarded an annual corporate leadership award to one of its big corporate funders. In 2016, this award went to Bechtel. In April 2015 the Secretariat defended the decision by TI-USA to give [[Hillary Clinton]] its Integrity Award in 2012.<ref>
{{cite press release|
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/press/transparency-and-the-clinton-foundation-regarding-recent-statements|
title=Transparency and The Clinton Foundation: Regarding recent statements|
publisher=Transparency International|
location=Berlin|
access-date=9 November 2025}}</ref>  


The final resolution that was passed by the plenary excluded any reference to Snowden, and excluded a call for "comprehensive protection on whistleblowers from all forms of retaliation". The original resolution was weakened following the intervention of the USA chapter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/russell-mokhiber/transparency-internationa_b_4687986.html|title=Transparency International Nixes Edward Snowden|last1= Mokhiber|first1=Russell|website=[[HuffPost]]|date=10 February 2014|access-date=16 November 2018}}</ref> Five months earlier, in June 2013, representatives from TI met Snowden at the Moscow airport, where he asked for political asylum in Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-13 |title=С Россией заговорили на беглом американском |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2233463 |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=www.kommersant.ru |language=ru}}</ref>
A new TI USA Chapter was created January 1, 2020.<ref>
{{Cite web|
url=https://us.transparency.org/|
title=TI USA website|
website=Transparency International USA}}</ref>


===2014 funding from Siemens===
==Funding==
In January 2015 it was reported that TI accepted $3 million from the German engineering multinational [[Siemens]], which in 2008 paid one of the largest corporate corruption fines<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/business/worldbusiness/16siemens.html|title=Settling Bribery Case to Cost Siemens $1.6 Billion|first1=Eric|last1=Lichtblau|first2=Carter|last2=Dougherty|newspaper=The New York Times|date=15 December 2008}}</ref> in history – $1.6 billion – for bribing government officials in numerous countries. In 2014, Siemens made the donation to TI after pleading guilty in 2008 to bribery charges relating to widespread corrupt practices in Greece, Norway, Iraq, Vietnam, Italy, Israel, Argentina, Venezuela, China and Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/news/press/2008/2008-294.htm|title=Press Release: SEC Charges Siemens AG for Engaging in Worldwide Bribery; 2008-294; Dec. 15, 2008|website=www.SEC.gov}}</ref>
According to their donation policy, TI receives funding from a range of donors, including government agencies, multilateral institutions, foundations, the private sector and individuals. Funding may be unrestricted or tied to specific projects or programmes. It is their policy to accept funding – whether monetary or in kind – from any donor, provided that acceptance does not impair the independence to pursue their mission or endanger the integrity and reputation. The funding sources vary between chapters and the Secretariat. Some chapters rely heavily on financial support from small private donations. The Secretariat and Chapters have independent fundraising efforts and the intention is for Chapters not to be financially dependent on the Secretariat.<ref name="donors">
{{Cite web|
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/the-organisation/who-supports-us|
title=Who supports us|
publisher=Transparency International}}</ref>


TI applied for and received the funding from Siemens, even though TI's due diligence procedures<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/duediligence.pdf|title=Private-Sector Donors Approval and Due Diligence Processes}}</ref> prohibit the organization from accepting money from corporations that want to "[[greenwashing|greenwash]]" their reputations by making donations to TI. "If any corporate donor is accused of having been involved in corruption, the donor can expect no protection from TI," the procedures state. Transparency International received the funding from the ''Siemens Integrity Initiative''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siemens.com/about/sustainability/en/core-topics/collective-action/integrity-initiative/index.php|title=Integrity Initiative|website=www.siemens.com}}</ref> about a year after the ''Initiative'' hired former TI staffer Jana Mittermaier, raising questions of a "[[Revolving door (politics)|revolving door]]" that has benefited both the organization and the company.
===Siemens Integrity Initiative===
In January 2015 it was reported that TI accepted $3 million from a foundation set up by the German engineering multinational [[Siemens]]. Siemens had established the foundation subsequent to paying one of the largest corporate corruption fines in 2008<ref>
{{cite news|
url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/business/worldbusiness/16siemens.html|
title=Settling Bribery Case to Cost Siemens $1.6 Billion|
first1=Eric|
last1=Lichtblau|
first2=Carter|
last2=Dougherty|
newspaper=The New York Times|
date=15 December 2008}}</ref> in history – $1.6 billion – for bribing government officials in numerous countries. In 2014, the Siemens Integrity Initiative funded a project at TI after pleading guilty in 2008 to bribery charges relating to widespread corrupt practices in Greece, Norway, Iraq, Vietnam, Italy, Israel, Argentina, Venezuela, China and Russia.<ref>
{{cite press release|
url=https://www.sec.gov/news/press/2008/2008-294.htm|
title=Press Release: SEC Charges Siemens AG for Engaging in Worldwide Bribery; 2008-294|
date= December 15, 2008|
publisher=SEC}}</ref> TI applied for and received the project funding from the Siemens Integrity Initiative. At the time, this was controversial as TI's due diligence procedures<ref>
{{Cite news|
url=http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/duediligence.pdf|
publisher=Corporate Crime Reporter|
title=Private-Sector Donors Approval and Due Diligence Processes}}</ref> prohibit the organization from accepting money from corporations that want to "[[greenwashing|greenwash]]" their reputations by making donations to TI. "If any corporate donor is accused of having been involved in corruption, the donor can expect no protection from TI," the procedures state. Transparency International received the funding from the Siemens Integrity Initiative<ref>
{{cite web|
url=https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company/about/compliance/collective-action.html|
title=Collective Action|
website=www.siemens.com|
publisher=Siemens}}</ref> about a year after the Siemens foundation hired a TI staff member from their EU office. This raised media questions of a "[[Revolving door (politics)|revolving door]]" that could benefit both the organization and the company. According to 'Corporate Crime Reporter' who reported extensively on the case, several of TI's national chapters also have accepted money from the Siemens Integrity Initiative: $660,000 for TI USA, $600,000 for TI Italy, $450,000 for TI Bulgaria, and $230,000 for TI Mexico – each for a period of three years. TI's then managing director, [[Cobus de Swardt]], said, "We did not file an application to Siemens, we applied to the Siemens Integrity Initiative. There's a difference."<ref>
{{cite news|
url=http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/transparency-international-siemens-revolving-door-spins-money-pipeline-flows/|
title=Transparency International Siemens Revolving Door Spins, Money Pipeline Flows|
publisher=Corporate Crime Reporter|
date=11 February 2014|
access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news|
url=http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/siemens-and-the-greenwashing-of-transparency-international/|
title=Transparency International and the Greenwashing of Siemens|
publisher=Corporate Crime Reporter|
date=2 April 2014|
access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news|
url=http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/siemens-donates-3-million-transparency-international/|
title=Siemens Donates $3 Million to Transparency International|
publisher=Corporate Crime Reporter|
date=21 January 2015|
access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref> The project funded by the Siemens Integrity Initiative over multiple years was called "Integrity Pact" and was deemed a significant success upon its completion. It focused on building national capacities to strengthen [[government procurement]] practices across multiple countries to prevent the kind of corruption that Siemens had engaged in. The model applied is now a format for government procurement worldwide. Transparency International argues that the seed funding from the Siemens Integrity Initiative has had significant positive impact in ensuring transparency in government procurement around there world and thereby limiting corruption risk.<ref>
{{cite web|
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/integrity-pacts-safeguarding-public-investments-through-multi-stakeholder-collective-action|
title=Integrity Pacts: Safeguarding public investments through multi-stakeholder collective action|
publisher=Transparency International|
date=7 November 2025|
access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref>


Several of TI's national chapters also have accepted money from Siemens: $660,000 for TI USA, $600,000 for TI Italy, $450,000 for TI Bulgaria, and $230,000 for TI Mexico – each for a period of three years. "This really shows that Transparency International is not as pure as people think," a TI insider told Corporate Crime Reporter. TI's then managing director, [[Cobus de Swardt]], said, "We did not file an application to Siemens, we applied to the Siemens Integrity Initiative. There's a difference. We have not applied to Siemens." However, according to Siemens, the money for these grants is "provided by Siemens".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/transparency-international-siemens-revolving-door-spins-money-pipeline-flows/|title=Transparency International Siemens Revolving Door Spins, Money Pipeline Flows - Corporate Crime Reporter|date=11 February 2014|access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/siemens-and-the-greenwashing-of-transparency-international/|title=Transparency International and the Greenwashing of Siemens - Corporate Crime Reporter|date=2 April 2014|access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/siemens-donates-3-million-transparency-international/|title=Siemens Donates $3 Million to Transparency International - Corporate Crime Reporter|date=21 January 2015|access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref>
==Criticisms==
===2013 stance on Edward Snowden===
At its annual members' meeting in November 2013 in Berlin, TI's national chapters from Germany and Ireland proposed a resolution calling for the "end of the prosecution of [[Edward J. Snowden]]... He should be recognized as a [[whistleblower]] for his help to reveal the over-reaching and unlawful surveillance by secret services...He symbolizes the courage of numerous other whistleblowers around the world."<ref>
{{cite news|
url=http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Snowden.pdf|
title=Whistleblower protection of Edward Snowden|
publisher=Corporate Crime Reporter|
date=10 February 2014|
access-date=16 November 2018}}</ref> The final resolution that was passed by the plenary excluded any reference to Snowden, and excluded a call for "comprehensive protection on whistleblowers from all forms of retaliation". The original resolution was weakened following the intervention of the TI USA.<ref>
{{cite news|
url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/russell-mokhiber/transparency-internationa_b_4687986.html|
title=Transparency International Nixes Edward Snowden|
last= Mokhiber|
first=Russell|
publisher=[[HuffPost]]|
date=10 February 2014|
access-date=16 November 2018}}</ref> Five months earlier, in June 2013, representatives from TI met Snowden at the Moscow airport, where he asked for political asylum in Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-13 |title=С Россией заговорили на беглом американском |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2233463 |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=www.kommersant.ru |language=ru}}</ref>


===2015 whistleblowing===
===2015 whistleblowing===
In August 2015 former TI staffer Anna Buzzoni went public regarding retaliation she and her colleagues faced after reporting to managers questionable financial dealings at TI's Water Integrity Network.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waterintegritynetwork.net/|title=Home page - WIN - Water Integrity Network|website=WIN - Water Integrity Network}}</ref> Two of Buzzoni's project responsibilities were suspended and she was transferred against her will. She left TI shortly before internal whistleblower guidelines were adopted in June 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://correctiv.org/en/blog/2015/08/27/falling-deaf-ears/|title=Falling on Deaf Ears|date=27 August 2015|access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref>
In August 2015 former TI staffer Anna Buzzoni went public regarding retaliation she and her colleagues faced after reporting to managers questionable financial dealings at TI's Water Integrity Network.<ref>
 
{{cite web|
===2015 Croatia chapter disaccreditation===
url=http://www.waterintegritynetwork.net/|
Due to a "lack of confidence", TI's chapter in [[Croatia]] was disaccredited by the organization's board of directors in November 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transparency.org/news/pressrelease/transparency_international_statement_on_its_former_chapter_in_croatia|title=Press release - Transparency International statement on its former chapter in Croatia|first=Transparency International|last=e.V.|access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref> The previous year, several leaders of the Croatia chapter challenged the legality of the chapter president's election. The president was accused of falsifying records, [[conflicts of interest]], and arbitrarily expelling 10 chapter members who opposed the hiring of staff against the organization's rules. The Croatian government eventually revoked the president's appointment.<ref>{{cite book | url=http://seldi.net/fileadmin/public/PDF/Publications/RAR/SELDI_Regional_Anticorruption_Report_Final_Revised.pdf | title=Anti-Corruption Reloaded Assessment of Southeast Europe | publisher=Southeast Europe Leadership for Development and Integrity | date=2014 | editor=Ognian Shentov|editor2=Ruslan Stefanov|editor3=Boyko Todorov | isbn=978-954-477-221-5}}</ref>
title=Water Integrity Network|
website=www.waterintegritynetwork.net}}</ref> Two of Buzzoni's project responsibilities were suspended and she was transferred against her will. She left TI shortly before internal whistleblower guidelines were adopted in June 2014.<ref>
{{cite web|
url=https://correctiv.org/en/blog/2015/08/27/falling-deaf-ears/|
title=Falling on Deaf Ears|
date=27 August 2015|
access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref>


===2017 USA chapter disaccreditation===
===2017–21 reports of toxic culture at the Berlin Secretaratiat===
In January 2017, the TI Secretariat confirmed that its International Board of Directors decided on 10 January 2017 to strip its US affiliate – Transparency International USA – of its accreditation as the National Chapter in the United States.<ref name="auto1"/>
In 2017, [[Cobus de Swardt]] stood down as TI's managing director, following a dispute with the organisation's board of directors. De Swardt agreed a settlement with TI in a Labour Court in Berlin.<ref>
The stated basis for the dis-accreditation was the board's recognition of differences in philosophies, strategies, and priorities between the former chapter and the Transparency International Movement. Elsewhere, it was reported that TI-USA came to be seen in the United States as a corporate front group, funded by multinational corporations. TI-USA's funding was provided by [[Bechtel|Bechtel Corporation]], Deloitte, Google, [[Pfizer]]  ($50,000 or more), [[Citigroup]], ExxonMobil, Fluor, [[General Electric]], [[Lockheed Martin]], Marsh & McLennan, [[PepsiCo]], [[PricewaterhouseCoopers]], [[Raytheon Technologies|Raytheon]], Realogy, Tyco ($25,000–$49,999), and Freeport-McMoRan and [[Johnson & Johnson]] (up to $24,999).<ref name="corporatecrimereporter.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.corporatecrimereporter.com/news/200/transparency-international-strips-us-affiliate-of-accreditation/|title=Transparency International Strips United States Affiliate of Accreditation - Corporate Crime Reporter|date=19 January 2017}}</ref> TI-USA previously awarded an annual corporate leadership award to one of its big corporate funders. In 2016, this award went to Bechtel. In April 2015 the Secretariat defended the decision by TI-USA to give [[Hillary Clinton]] its Integrity Award in 2012.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.transparency.org/news/pressrelease/transparency_and_the_clinton_foundation_regarding_recent_statements|title=Transparency and The Clinton Foundation: Regarding recent statements|first=Transparency International|last=e.V.|access-date=16 November 2016}}</ref> Since January 1, 2020, Transparency International has an office in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://us.transparency.org/|title=Home|website=Transparency International}}</ref>
{{Cite press release|
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/press/statement-on-allegations-by-mr-de-swardt|
title=Statement on allegations by Mr. de Swardt - Press|
publisher=Transparency International|
website=Transparency.org|
location=Berlin|
date=11 October 2018 }}</ref> In August 2019, accounts from seven current and former TI Secretariat staff were reported in ''[[The Guardian]]'' alleging a "toxic" workplace culture at the organisation.<ref>
{{Cite news|
last=Doshi|
first=Vidhi|
date=2019-08-21|
title=Transparency International staff complain of bullying and harassment|
language=en-GB|
publisher=The Guardian|
url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/21/transparency-international-staff-complain-of-bullying-harassment|
access-date=2019-11-12|
issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In 2021, de Swardt published a book accusing TI of [[abuse of power]] and of silencing him as a whistleblower in is former role as executive director.<ref>
{{Cite book|
url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-76540-8|
title=Silencing a Whistleblower|
first=Cobus|
last=de Swardt|
publisher=Springer Nature|
date=February 19, 2021|
doi=10.1007/978-3-030-76540-8|
isbn=978-3-030-76539-2 }}</ref> De Swardt also presented a video published on YouTube by his publisher, [[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]], criticising TI.<ref>
{{Cite AV media|
url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1je9wYQU0X4|
title=Silencing a Whistleblower - Authors @ Fbm21|
date=4 October 2021 |
publisher=Springer Nature|
via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>


===2017–21 reports of bullying, harassment and abuse of power by Board members and senior management===
De Swardt's successor, [[Patricia Moreira]], left in 2020 after making similar accusations to those of De Swardt, accusing the Board of failing to protect her as a whistleblower. The German newspaper ''[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]]'' reported that TI dismissed Moreira "without giving any reasons".<ref name="FAZ">
In 2017, [[Cobus de Swardt]] stood down as TI's managing director, following a dispute with the organisation's board of directors. De Swardt agreed a settlement with TI in a Labour Court in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/en/press/statement-on-allegations-by-mr-de-swardt|title=Statement on allegations by Mr. de Swardt - Press|website=Transparency.org|date=11 October 2018 }}</ref>
{{Cite news|
last=Burras|
first=Corrina|
date=19 June 2020|
title=Die dunklen Seiten der Korruptionsjagd|
pages=1–3|
publisher=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|
url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/transparency-international-die-dunklen-seiten-der-korruptionsjagd-16803895-p3.html|
access-date=21 February 2022|
language=de}}</ref> The article added that, "dozens of employees, including high-ranking ones, have left the organisation in recent years. Even long-standing and deeply committed employees complain that TI is involved in political intrigues in which some are only interested in their own progress."<ref name="FAZ" /> An investigator contracted by Moreira stated in a report that TI board's handling of the complaints process was beset by [[conflicts of interest]] and failed to address allegations of misconduct made against the board by Moreira.<ref>
{{cite report |
last=Witchell |
first=Harriet |
date=July 29, 2021 |
publisher = MyKludo|
title=Review Concerning Investigation of Bullying Allegations by Transparency International in 2019/20 |
url=https://ia601500.us.archive.org/30/items/review-investigation-transparency-international-2019-20/Review%20Investigation%20Transparency%20International%202019-20.pdf |
access-date=16 May 2022}}</ref>


In August 2019, accounts from seven current and former TI Secretariat staff were reported in ''[[The Guardian]]'' alleging a "toxic" workplace culture at the organisation.<ref name="Doshi">{{Cite news|last=Doshi|first=Vidhi|date=2019-08-21|title=Transparency International staff complain of bullying and harassment|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/aug/21/transparency-international-staff-complain-of-bullying-harassment|access-date=2019-11-12|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
Following the departure of Moreira, [[Daniel P. Eriksson]] was appointed interim managing director in March 2020,<ref name="organisation" /> and became CEO a year later.<ref>
{{cite press release|
title=Daniel Eriksson appointed as Transpareny International Secretariat's chief executive officer|
url=https://www.transparency.org/en/press/daniel-eriksson-appointed-transparency-international-secretariat-chief-executive-officer |
publisher=Transparency International|
date=31 March 2021 |
access-date=21 June 2024}}</ref> During his term leading up to January 2025, the organisation culture and work environment improved significantly.<ref>
{{cite web |
last1=Eriksson |
first1=Daniel |
title=After much consideration, I have made the decision to step down |
website=LinkedIn|
url=https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7249054638430154752/|
access-date=9 November 2025}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web |
title=After six years of dedicated work, Daniel Eriksson has decided to step down as CEO of Transparency International.|
url=https://x.com/anticorruption/status/1843289373023809609|
website=X.com |
publisher=Transparency International |
access-date=9 November 2025}}</ref>


De Swardt's successor, [[Patricia Moreira]], left in 2020 after making similar accusations to those of De Swardt, accusing the Board of failing to protect whistleblowers, as well as corruption.
===2024 TI Brazil accusations===
 
The German newspaper ''[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]]'' reported that TI dismissed Moreira "without giving any reasons".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Burras|first=Corrina|date=19 June 2020|title=Die dunklen Seiten der Korruptionsjagd|pages=1–3|work=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/transparency-international-die-dunklen-seiten-der-korruptionsjagd-16803895-p3.html|access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref> The article added that, "dozens of employees, including high-ranking ones, have left the organisation in recent years. Even long-standing and deeply committed employees complain that TI is involved in political intrigues in which some are only interested in their own progress. For a non-governmental organization whose goal is to fight corruption around the world, and which collects millions of dollars in funding from governments and companies every year, this is a disturbing finding."<ref>[https://m.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/transparency-international-die-dunklen-seiten-der-korruptionsjagd-16803895.html " Die dunklen Seiten der Korruptionsjard"], by Corinna Budras, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 7 June 2020</ref> Investigations specialist Harriet Witchell has stated that the TI board’s handling of the complaints process was beset by conflicts of interest and failed to address allegations of misconduct made against the board.<ref>{{cite web |last=Witchell |first=Harriet |date=July 29, 2021 |title=Review Concerning Investigation of Bullying Allegations by Transparency International in 2019/20 |url=https://ia601500.us.archive.org/30/items/review-investigation-transparency-international-2019-20/Review%20Investigation%20Transparency%20International%202019-20.pdf |access-date=16 May 2022 |website=MyKludo}}</ref>
 
In 2021, de Swardt published a book accusing TI of [[abuse of power]] and silencing whistleblowers.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-76540-8|title=Silencing a Whistleblower|first=Cobus|last=de Swardt|date=February 19, 2021|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-76540-8|isbn=978-3-030-76539-2 }}</ref> De Swardt also presented a video published on YouTube by his publisher, [[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]], criticising corruption at TI.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1je9wYQU0X4|title=Silencing a Whistleblower &#124; Authors @ Fbm21|date=4 October 2021 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
 
===Political activities in Brazil===
{{Disputed section |date=June 2024}}
{{Disputed section |date=June 2024}}
TI's political impartiality, as well as its own transparency, have been called into question over hacked conversations of prosecutors in [[Operation Car Wash]], leaked to ''[[The Intercept]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://theintercept.com/2020/03/12/united-states-justice-department-brazil-car-wash-lava-jato-international-treaty/|title="Keep It Confidential": The Secret History of U.S. Involvement in Brazil's Scandal-Wracked Operation Car Wash|first1=Andrew|last1=Fishman|first2=Natalia|last2=Viana|first3=Maryam|last3=Saleh|date=March 12, 2020|work=The Intercept}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://theintercept.com/2021/06/08/brazil-congress-car-wash-corruption-merrick-garland/|title=House Democrats Want Answers About U.S. Role in Disgraced Brazil Corruption Probe|first=Andrew|last=Fishman|date=June 8, 2021|work=The Intercept}}</ref> In these, chief prosecutor [[Deltan Dallagnol]] and head of TI Brazil, Bruno Brandão, discuss a "backstage campaign" to "disarm resistance on the left", fund selected candidates, and target others, seen as adversaries, using social media. Plans extended to preparing a series of false accusations ("denúncias sem materialidade") intended to damage the reputation of former president and potential candidate [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]], and lead up to a chat in which participants celebrate the election of [[Jair Bolsonaro]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lava Jato debateu cláusula anti-Bolsonaro em ranking de candidatos em 2018|url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/2021/03/06/lava-jato-debateu-clausula-anti-bolsonaro-em-ranking-de-candidatos-em-2018|access-date=2021-03-09|website=CNN Brasil|language=pt-BR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Deltan e Transparência Internacional tentaram criar plataforma de candidatos lavajatistas|url=https://www.conjur.com.br/2021-mar-08/deltan-ong-tentaram-criar-plataforma-candidatos-lavajatistas|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Consultor Jurídico|date=9 March 2021 |language=pt-BR}}</ref>
Some sources have questioned the political impartiality and transparency of TI Brazil, based on conversations of prosecutors in [[Operation Car Wash]], leaked to ''[[The Intercept]]'' following a hack.<ref>
 
{{cite news|
In April 2022, Brazil's auditing court announced that it had opened an investigation against TI over the illegal imprisonment of Lula da Silva.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brasilwire.com/brazils-auditing-court-opens-investigation-against-transparency-international/|title=Transparency International: Brazil Court Opens Investigation Of Anti-Corruption NGO|last=Mier|first=Brian|date=April 14, 2022|work=Brasil Wire|access-date=April 14, 2022}}</ref>
url=https://theintercept.com/2020/03/12/united-states-justice-department-brazil-car-wash-lava-jato-international-treaty/|
title="Keep It Confidential": The Secret History of U.S. Involvement in Brazil's Scandal-Wracked Operation Car Wash|
first1=Andrew|
last1=Fishman|
first2=Natalia|
last2=Viana|
first3=Maryam|
last3=Saleh|
date=March 12, 2020|
publisher=The Intercept}}</ref><ref>
{{cite news|
url=https://theintercept.com/2021/06/08/brazil-congress-car-wash-corruption-merrick-garland/|
title=House Democrats Want Answers About U.S. Role in Disgraced Brazil Corruption Probe|
first=Andrew|
last=Fishman|
date=June 8, 2021|
publisher=The Intercept}}</ref> Members in the chat group included chief prosecutor [[Deltan Dallagnol]] as well as the head of TI Brazil. The chat group included posts on a "backstage campaign" to "disarm resistance on the left", fund selected candidates, and target others, seen as adversaries, using social media. Plans extended to preparing a series of false accusations ("denúncias sem materialidade") intended to damage the reputation of former president and potential candidate [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]], and lead up to a chat in which participants celebrate the election of [[Jair Bolsonaro]].<ref>
{{Cite web|
title=Lava Jato debateu cláusula anti-Bolsonaro em ranking de candidatos em 2018|
url=https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/politica/2021/03/06/lava-jato-debateu-clausula-anti-bolsonaro-em-ranking-de-candidatos-em-2018|
access-date=2021-03-09|
publisher=CNN Brasil|
date=6 March 2021 |
language=pt-BR}}</ref><ref>
{{Cite web|
title=Deltan e Transparência Internacional tentaram criar plataforma de candidatos lavajatistas|
url=https://www.conjur.com.br/2021-mar-08/deltan-ong-tentaram-criar-plataforma-candidatos-lavajatistas|
access-date=2021-03-09|
publisher=Consultor Jurídico|
date=9 March 2021 |
language=pt-BR}}</ref> In April 2022, [[Tribunal de Contas da União]] announced that it had opened an investigation against TI in relation to the imprisonment of [[Lula da Silva]].<ref>
{{Cite web|
url=https://www.brasilwire.com/brazils-auditing-court-opens-investigation-against-transparency-international/|
title=Transparency International: Brazil Court Opens Investigation Of Anti-Corruption NGO|
last=Mier|
first=Brian|
date=April 14, 2022|
publisher=Brasil Wire|
access-date=April 14, 2022}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==

Latest revision as of 06:21, 18 November 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Template:Lead rewrite Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Main other

Transparency International e.V. (TI) is a German registered association founded in 1993 by former employees of the World Bank. Based in Berlin, its nonprofit and non-governmental purpose is to take action to combat global[1] corruption with civil societal anti-corruption measures and to prevent criminal activities arising from corruption. Its most notable publications include the Global Corruption Barometer and the Corruption Perceptions Index. TI serves as an umbrella organization. Since 1993 to the present day, its membership has grown from a few individuals to more than 100 national chapters, which engage in fighting perceived corruption in their home countries.[2][3] TI is a member of G20 Think Tanks (T20) as well as Civil Society 20,[4] UNESCO Consultative Status,[5] United Nations Global Compact,[6] Sustainable Development Solutions Network[7] and shares the goals of peace, justice, strong institutions and partnerships of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG).[8] TI is a social partner of Global Alliance in Management Education.[9] TI confirmed the dis-accreditation of the national chapter of United States of America in 2017 and a new TI USA chapter was established in 2020.[10] According to the 2016 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report, TI was number 9 of 100 in the Top Think Tanks Worldwide (non-U.S.) category and number 27 of 150 in the Top Think Tanks Worldwide (U.S. and non-U.S.) category.[11]

History

Transparency International was founded on 9 February 1993 in The Hague, Netherlands; it was formally registered on 15 June 1993 in Berlin, Germany. According to political scientist Ellen Gutterman, "TI's presence in Germany, and indeed its organizational development and rise from a small operation to a prominent international TNGO , benefited from the activities and personal connections of at least three key German individuals: Peter Eigen, Hansjoerg Elshorst, and Michael Wiehen".[12] The other founding members included: [13][14] Peter Conze (a former regional director of GTZ), Laurence Cockcroft, Fritz Heimann of General Electric,[15][16] Michael J. Hershman of the U.S. military intelligence,[17] Kamal Hossain (former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh),[18] Gerald Parfitt (formerly of PricewaterhouseCoopers Ukraine),[19] Jeremy Pope, Roy Stacy, Frank Vogl (of the World Bank)[20]

An important moment in its history was in 1995 when TI developed the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). The CPI ranks nations on the prevalence of corruption within each country, based upon surveys of business people. The CPI was subsequently published annually. It was initially criticized for poor methodology and unfair treatment of developing nations, while also being praised for highlighting corruption.[21]

Areas of work and products

Transparency International is the global civil society organization leading the fight against corruption. It brings people together in a powerful worldwide coalition to end the devastating impact of corruption on men, women and children around the world. TI's mission is to create change towards a world free of corruption.[22]

The organization defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain which eventually hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority.[23] It develops tools for fighting corruption and works with other civil society organizations, companies and governments to implement them. Since 1995, TI has issued an annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI); it also publishes a Global Corruption Report, a Global Corruption Barometer, and a Bribe Payers Index. In the years leading up to 2030, Transparency International is dedicated to leading the global fight against corruption via its strategy: "Holding Power to Account – A Global Strategy Against Corruption 2021-2030". It sets out how the Movement aims to contribute to "a more positive future; a world in which power is held to account, for the common good". [24]

Corruption Perceptions Index

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. It is a composite index – a combination of polls – drawing on corruption-related data collected by a variety of reputable institutions. The CPI reflects the views of observers from around the world.[3]

The Corruption Perceptions Index has been criticised for measuring perception and not "reality". The creators of the index argue that "perceptions matter in their own right, since... firms and individuals take actions based on perceptions".[25] According to the newspaper Le Monde: "In its main surveys, Transparency International does not measure the weight of corruption in economic terms for each country. It develops a Corruption Perception Index (CPI) based on surveys conducted by private structures or other NGOs: the Economist Intelligence Unit, backed by the British liberal weekly newspaper The Economist, the American neoconservative organization Freedom House, the World Economic Forum, or large corporations. (...) The CPI ignores corruption cases that concern the business world. So, the collapse of Lehman Brothers (2008) or the manipulation of the money market reference rate (Libor) by major British banks revealed in 2011 did not affect the ratings of the United States or United Kingdom." A common counter argument is that it is not plausible to ever measure the true scale and depth of a highly complex issue like corruption with a single number, and then rank countries accordingly.[26]

International Anti-Corruption Conference

File:International Anti-Corruption Conference 2024 - plenary session in Vilnius LitExpo convention centre.jpg
IACC 2024 plenary session in Vilnius

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". First held in 1983, the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) is a series of international conferences organised by the IACC Council, in association with local governments and organisations, with TI as its secretariat.[27] The conferences take place every two years in different countries.

Global Anti-Corruption Consortium (GACC)

Since 2016, TI has partnered with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). The partnership enables knowledge and evidence gathered through OCCRP's corruption investigations to inform TI's policy and legal advocacy.[28] The programme is co-funded by three governments, including the US, and private donors.[29]

Other key products

  • The Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) is a survey that asks citizens about their direct personal experience of corruption in their daily lives.[30]
  • The Global Corruption Report picks a specific topic like corruption in climate change for example and provides in-depth research.[31]
  • National integrity system assessments are designed to provide comprehensive analysis on a given country's mechanisms to fight corruption.[32]
  • The Government Defence Integrity Index first published in 2013 measures corruption in the defence sector of 82 countries.[33] Some governments have expressed criticism towards the methodology of the report. TI defended the report and stressed the importance of transparency in the military sector. The plan was to publish the index every two years.[34]
  • The Bribe Payers Index (BPI) first published in 1999 which ranked nations according to the perceived likelihood that a country's multinational corporations would offer bribes.[21] The last edition was released in 2011 after which the project was closed for funding reasons.[35] The Journal of Business Ethics states "Bribery in international business transactions can be seen as a function of not only the demand for such bribes in different countries, but the supply, or willingness to provide bribes by multinational firms and their representatives. This study addresses the propensity of firms from 30 different countries to engage in international bribery".[36]
  • The Exporting Corruption report first published in 2005. It is a research report that rates the bribery-related performance of leading global exporters, including countries that are signatories of OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.[37]

The movement

Transparency International consists of chapters – locally established, independent organizations – that address corruption in their respective countries. In Transparency International, the collective of chapters is referred to as "The Movement". As chapters are staffed with local experts they are ideally placed to determine the priorities and approaches best suited to tackling corruption in their countries. This work ranges from visiting rural communities to provide free legal support to advising their government on policy reform. From small bribes to large-scale looting, corruption differs from country to country. Corruption does however not stop at national borders. The chapters play a crucial role in shaping its collective work and realising its regional and global goals. The ambition is for chapters to be self funded and autonomous. Correspondingly, the Secretariat in Berlin is called a Secretariat to differentiate it from a Headquarter.[38]

Secretariat

File:Transparency International Berlin.jpg
Transparency International's headquarters in Moabit, Berlin

The Secretariat based in Berlin is responsible for global operations whereas chapters are autonomous and responsible for work in their own respective countries. Maíra Martini took office as CEO of the Secretariat on 1 February 2025. She previously held the position of Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Secretariat.[39][38] The Movement is officially lead by the annual membership meeting of all the chapters. Between membership meetings, the TI Board of Directors lead the Movement, but delegate aspects to the CEO.[2] TI's leadership structure includes an "International council", a group of individuals with extensive experience in TI's work. Drawn from diverse geographical, cultural and professional backgrounds, council members are appointed by the TI board of directors to advise them and to support the work of the organization as a whole.[18]

Chapters

Some key chapters include:

Not all chapters choose to adopt the TI name when they get selected to join the Movement. Some examples of that are:

In April 2015 Russia's Ministry of Justice added TI Russia to its list of "foreign agents".[40] On 6 March 2023, TI was declared an undesirable organization in Russia.[41]

Disaccreditations

TI Croatia: Due to a "lack of confidence", TI's chapter in Croatia was disaccredited by the organization's board of directors in November 2015.[42] The previous year, several leaders of the Croatia chapter challenged the legality of the chapter president's election. The president was accused of falsifying records, conflicts of interest, and arbitrarily expelling 10 chapter members who opposed the hiring of staff against the organization's rules. The Croatian government eventually revoked the president's appointment.[43]

TI USA: In January 2017, the TI Secretariat confirmed that its International Board of Directors decided on 10 January 2017 to strip its US affiliate – Transparency International USA – of its accreditation as the National Chapter in the United States.[10] The stated basis for the dis-accreditation was the board's recognition of differences in philosophies, strategies, and priorities between the former chapter and the Transparency International Movement. Elsewhere, it was reported that TI-USA came to be seen in the United States as a corporate front group, funded by multinational corporations. TI-USA's funding was provided by Bechtel Corporation, Deloitte, Google, Pfizer ($50,000 or more), Citigroup, ExxonMobil, Fluor, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, Marsh & McLennan, PepsiCo, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Raytheon, Realogy, Tyco ($25,000–$49,999), and Freeport-McMoRan and Johnson & Johnson (up to $24,999).[44] TI-USA previously awarded an annual corporate leadership award to one of its big corporate funders. In 2016, this award went to Bechtel. In April 2015 the Secretariat defended the decision by TI-USA to give Hillary Clinton its Integrity Award in 2012.[45]

A new TI USA Chapter was created January 1, 2020.[46]

Funding

According to their donation policy, TI receives funding from a range of donors, including government agencies, multilateral institutions, foundations, the private sector and individuals. Funding may be unrestricted or tied to specific projects or programmes. It is their policy to accept funding – whether monetary or in kind – from any donor, provided that acceptance does not impair the independence to pursue their mission or endanger the integrity and reputation. The funding sources vary between chapters and the Secretariat. Some chapters rely heavily on financial support from small private donations. The Secretariat and Chapters have independent fundraising efforts and the intention is for Chapters not to be financially dependent on the Secretariat.[47]

Siemens Integrity Initiative

In January 2015 it was reported that TI accepted $3 million from a foundation set up by the German engineering multinational Siemens. Siemens had established the foundation subsequent to paying one of the largest corporate corruption fines in 2008[48] in history – $1.6 billion – for bribing government officials in numerous countries. In 2014, the Siemens Integrity Initiative funded a project at TI after pleading guilty in 2008 to bribery charges relating to widespread corrupt practices in Greece, Norway, Iraq, Vietnam, Italy, Israel, Argentina, Venezuela, China and Russia.[49] TI applied for and received the project funding from the Siemens Integrity Initiative. At the time, this was controversial as TI's due diligence procedures[50] prohibit the organization from accepting money from corporations that want to "greenwash" their reputations by making donations to TI. "If any corporate donor is accused of having been involved in corruption, the donor can expect no protection from TI," the procedures state. Transparency International received the funding from the Siemens Integrity Initiative[51] about a year after the Siemens foundation hired a TI staff member from their EU office. This raised media questions of a "revolving door" that could benefit both the organization and the company. According to 'Corporate Crime Reporter' who reported extensively on the case, several of TI's national chapters also have accepted money from the Siemens Integrity Initiative: $660,000 for TI USA, $600,000 for TI Italy, $450,000 for TI Bulgaria, and $230,000 for TI Mexico – each for a period of three years. TI's then managing director, Cobus de Swardt, said, "We did not file an application to Siemens, we applied to the Siemens Integrity Initiative. There's a difference."[52][53][54] The project funded by the Siemens Integrity Initiative over multiple years was called "Integrity Pact" and was deemed a significant success upon its completion. It focused on building national capacities to strengthen government procurement practices across multiple countries to prevent the kind of corruption that Siemens had engaged in. The model applied is now a format for government procurement worldwide. Transparency International argues that the seed funding from the Siemens Integrity Initiative has had significant positive impact in ensuring transparency in government procurement around there world and thereby limiting corruption risk.[55]

Criticisms

2013 stance on Edward Snowden

At its annual members' meeting in November 2013 in Berlin, TI's national chapters from Germany and Ireland proposed a resolution calling for the "end of the prosecution of Edward J. Snowden... He should be recognized as a whistleblower for his help to reveal the over-reaching and unlawful surveillance by secret services...He symbolizes the courage of numerous other whistleblowers around the world."[56] The final resolution that was passed by the plenary excluded any reference to Snowden, and excluded a call for "comprehensive protection on whistleblowers from all forms of retaliation". The original resolution was weakened following the intervention of the TI USA.[57] Five months earlier, in June 2013, representatives from TI met Snowden at the Moscow airport, where he asked for political asylum in Russia.[58]

2015 whistleblowing

In August 2015 former TI staffer Anna Buzzoni went public regarding retaliation she and her colleagues faced after reporting to managers questionable financial dealings at TI's Water Integrity Network.[59] Two of Buzzoni's project responsibilities were suspended and she was transferred against her will. She left TI shortly before internal whistleblower guidelines were adopted in June 2014.[60]

2017–21 reports of toxic culture at the Berlin Secretaratiat

In 2017, Cobus de Swardt stood down as TI's managing director, following a dispute with the organisation's board of directors. De Swardt agreed a settlement with TI in a Labour Court in Berlin.[61] In August 2019, accounts from seven current and former TI Secretariat staff were reported in The Guardian alleging a "toxic" workplace culture at the organisation.[62] In 2021, de Swardt published a book accusing TI of abuse of power and of silencing him as a whistleblower in is former role as executive director.[63] De Swardt also presented a video published on YouTube by his publisher, Springer, criticising TI.[64]

De Swardt's successor, Patricia Moreira, left in 2020 after making similar accusations to those of De Swardt, accusing the Board of failing to protect her as a whistleblower. The German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported that TI dismissed Moreira "without giving any reasons".[65] The article added that, "dozens of employees, including high-ranking ones, have left the organisation in recent years. Even long-standing and deeply committed employees complain that TI is involved in political intrigues in which some are only interested in their own progress."[65] An investigator contracted by Moreira stated in a report that TI board's handling of the complaints process was beset by conflicts of interest and failed to address allegations of misconduct made against the board by Moreira.[66]

Following the departure of Moreira, Daniel P. Eriksson was appointed interim managing director in March 2020,[2] and became CEO a year later.[67] During his term leading up to January 2025, the organisation culture and work environment improved significantly.[68][69]

2024 TI Brazil accusations

Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Some sources have questioned the political impartiality and transparency of TI Brazil, based on conversations of prosecutors in Operation Car Wash, leaked to The Intercept following a hack.[70][71] Members in the chat group included chief prosecutor Deltan Dallagnol as well as the head of TI Brazil. The chat group included posts on a "backstage campaign" to "disarm resistance on the left", fund selected candidates, and target others, seen as adversaries, using social media. Plans extended to preparing a series of false accusations ("denúncias sem materialidade") intended to damage the reputation of former president and potential candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and lead up to a chat in which participants celebrate the election of Jair Bolsonaro.[72][73] In April 2022, Tribunal de Contas da União announced that it had opened an investigation against TI in relation to the imprisonment of Lula da Silva.[74]

See also

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Corruption Template:Authority control

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  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  18. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  27. ↑ IACC website, http://iaccseries.org/
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