* MEMBERS ONLY *
European Alliance Against Illicit Financial Flows
Corruption hampers business growth, escalates costs, and poses serious legal and reputational risks for companies. It also raises transaction costs, undermines fair competition, impedes long-term foreign and domestic investment, and distorts development priorities. Investors should understand that corruption can negatively impact value and pose financial, operational, and reputational risks to their investments.
The European Alliance Against Illicit Financial Flows is a cross-border initiative connecting European financial gatekeepers to strengthen integrity, compliance, and responsible investment practices through its structured peer learning platforms, anti-corruption training modules, and digital knowledge-sharing tools – directly addressing the governance gaps that hinder ethical capital flows to emerging markets.
This cross-border knowledge transfer mechanism enables financial gatekeepers to standardise corruption prevention measures while adapting to local contexts, ensuring development financing reaches high-impact sectors like renewable energy and digital infrastructure without being diverted by illicit flows.
Partnering with:
The European Alliance Against Illicit Financial Flows is guided by a set of voluntary and aspirational principles. By signing up to the Alliance, participants will work towards strengthening financial integrity and reducing illicit financial flows, contributing to a more transparent and sustainable global economy.
Promote Transparency in Financial Dealings
- Support open, traceable, and accountable financial practices in line with applicable laws and international standards.
- Promote the disclosure of financial information, including payments to governments and other entities, in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
- Encourage the adoption of best practices to prevent, detect, and address financial misconduct within the organisation.
Strengthen internal controls to prevent and combat illicit financial flows
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- Work towards implementing robust internal policies and procedures to monitor and manage financial transactions.
- Promote regular training and awareness-raising on anti-corruption, anti-money laundering (AML), and counter-terrorist financing (CTF).
- Support the development and use of secure, confidential mechanisms for reporting suspected misconduct or unethical behaviour.
Demonstrate Ethical Leadership and Foster Collaboration
- Encourage leadership to model ethical conduct and promote a culture of integrity throughout the organisation.
- Support appropriate engagement with relevant authorities in cases of suspected financial crime, in accordance with applicable laws.
- Collaborate with peers, industry groups, and civil society to share knowledge and strengthen collective efforts against IFFs.
- Participate in public-private initiatives that aim to enhance the integrity of the global financial system.
Promote Due Diligence and Responsible Business Relationships
- Support the integration of proportionate due diligence processes to assess the integrity of business partners and transactions.
- Promote risk-based approaches to managing exposure in high-risk jurisdictions or sectors, aligned with international standards and best practices.
Alliance Activities
The European Alliance Against Illicit Financial Flows will run for two years (2026-2027).
Peer Learning Sessions 2026
Strengthening Whistleblowing Policies
An effective whistleblowing system is a cornerstone of corporate integrity and regulatory compliance. This session will explore how companies can design trusted reporting mechanisms that meet legal and ethical standards. Participants will share experiences and practical approaches to building stronger whistleblowing frameworks, including policies that address greenwashing, ESG misrepresentation, and other misconduct undermining sustainable development. The discussion will cover confidentiality, protection against retaliation, and compliance obligations, ensuring whistleblowing systems are both robust and aligned with regulatory expectations.
Managing Risks in High-Risk Jurisdictions
Operating in high-risk jurisdictions requires more than regulatory compliance - it demands a proactive approach to risk management. This session will focus on strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate risks that can lead to illicit financial flows and undermine development financing. Participants will explore practical tools for third-party due diligence, political exposure analysis, and scenario planning. The session will highlight how companies can safeguard investments and ensure responsible business conduct in environments with complex governance and regulatory challenges.
Embedding Behavioural Science in Compliance Frameworks
This session will explore the human side of compliance. Participants will explore how cognitive biases, social norms, and decision-making environments influence ethical and unethical behaviour in the workplace. With input from behavioural science experts, the session will highlight innovative approaches to designing compliance systems that 'nudge' better choices — from message framing to ethical reminders. Through peer-led discussion, companies will share what's worked and what hasn't and how to apply behavioural thinking to compliance design practically.
Leveraging AI for Anti-Corruption and Illicit Finance Detection
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the landscape of financial oversight and compliance. This session will explore how AI tools, from machine learning algorithms to natural language processing, can be harnessed to detect patterns of corruption, flag suspicious transactions, and enhance due diligence processes. Participants will share experiences with AI adoption, discuss ethical considerations, and examine the risks of algorithmic bias and misuse.
Training Sessions 2026
Anti-Corruption for Different Functions
Corruption risks do not just live in legal and compliance teams — they can arise in procurement, HR, finance, and beyond. This training will provide tailored anti-corruption training for different job roles, helping staff across departments understand how corruption risks may surface in their day-to-day responsibilities. Through role-specific scenarios, participants will explore real-life dilemmas and identify actions they can take to mitigate risk, report concerns, and uphold integrity in their function. The training promotes a whole-of-business approach to anti-corruption — breaking down silos, raising awareness across teams, and reinforcing the message that every role has a part to play in maintaining ethical and transparent operations.
Advocacy Activities 2027
Through a series of public-private dialogues, focus group meetings, and informed by the peer learning and capacity building activities through 2026, an advocacy plan for 2027 will be developed.
Contact
If you have any questions about our anti-corruption programming, please contact Lea Burkart, Governance and SDGs Project Manager.