Civil society plays a unique and crucial role in countering defence corruption and increasing transparency, accountability and integrity in the sector. It can:
- Produce high-quality research, identifying defence corruption risks and setting global transparency standards;
- Collaborate with ministries of defence, oversight institutions, and the armed forces to build their capacity to improve transparency and integrity;
- Creating will for change, holding their governments to account and campaigning for positive change in the defence sector.
Created in 2016, the Defence Integrity Action Fund (DIAF) is a way for Transparency International – Defence & Security to support Transparency International chapters or partner organisations in their efforts to improve defence governance. We fund innovative research projects, work with partners to help create anti-corruption plans, and support expertise building and coordination between national or regional civil society organisations. Grants are awarded through a fair and competitive process and reflect the strength of project proposals and donor priorities.
So far, we have funded 10 chapters and partner organisations for projects ranging from improving transparency in defence procurement to researching the link between corruption and staff retention in defence institutions and producing a national version of the Defence Companies Index on Anti-Corruption and Corporate Transparency (DCI).
For questions related to the Defence Integrity Action Fund, please do not hesitate to get in touch at defence@transparency.org. Please note that the call for proposals for 2019 is currently closed.
Relevant Publications
Closing the Blindspot: Confronting Corruption to Advance Women, Peace and Security
External Auditing of the Defence Sector in Mali: Challenges and Possibilities
Audit externe du secteur de la défense au Mali : Défis et possibilités
Policy Memo: Pathways from Corruption to Destabilisation
Sabotaging Peace: Corruption as a Threat to International Peace and Security
Transparency International Exposes Corruption’s Hidden Role in Global Weapons Diversion in New Report
Transparency International Defence and Security’s contribution to the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review (PBAR)
Nigeria’s defence sector: Persistent corruption risk amidst escalating security threats
Niger’s defence sector: Institutional resilience to corruption amidst a changing political landscape
Tunisia’s defence sector: Institutional resilience to corruption risk amidst democratic backsliding
Mali’s defence sector: Systemic corruption risk amidst escalating violence
Unlocking Access: Balancing National Security and Transparency in Defence
Summit of the Future open letter: Making the fight against corruption a priority action
Defending Transparency: An advocate’s guide to counteracting defence corruption
Corruption, the defence and security sector, and sexual and gender-based violence
Dangerously Diluted: Corruption’s role in fueling arms diversion
Betrayed by the Guardians: The human toll of corruption in defence and security
Trojan Horse Tactics: Unmasking the imperative for transparency in military spending
Blissfully Blind: The new US push for defence industrial collaboration with partner countries and its corruption risks
TI-DS Gender Mainstreaming Strategy: 2023-2025
Securing Integrity, Fostering Peace
Securing progress: mapping opportunities for anti-corruption in security sector reform frameworks
TI-DS Spotlight: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.5
Corruption risk and military operations: a strategic priority to be addressed
Réforme du secteur de la sécurité
Anti-corruption in security sector reform: The key to sustainable peace and stability
Des millions de dollars disparus « Nos auditeurs ont besoin d’autonomie » – des solutions pour mettre fin à la corruption qui alimente l’insécurité au Sahel.
Millions of dollars missing – ‘Our auditors need autonomy’ – solutions to stem the corruption fuelling Sahel insecurity
TI-DS Factsheet: Access to Information
Private Military and Security Companies: How they fuel corruption and conflict risks and the need for regulation
Hidden Costs: US private military and security companies and the risks of corruption and conflict
GDI 2020 Global Report: Disruption, Democratic Governance, and Corruption Risk in Defence Institutions
Defence Companies Index on Anti-Corruption and Corporate Transparency 2020: Key Findings
Strategy 2021-2023
Defence Industry Influence on European Policy Agendas: Findings from Germany and Italy
Defence industry influence in Italy: Analysing defence industry influence on the Italian policy agenda
Analisi dell’influenza dell’industria della difesa sull’agenda politica italiana
Le Dénominateur Commum: Dans quelle mesure la corruption au sein du secteur de la sécurité alimente-t-elle l’insécurité en Afrique de l’Ouest?
L’Elément Manquant: lutter contre la corruption au travers des processus de réforme du secteur de la sécurité en Afrique de l’Ouest
The Common Denominator: How Corruption in the Security Sector Fuels Insecurity in West Africa
The Missing Element: Addressing Corruption through Security Sector Reform in West Africa
Defence Companies Index on Anti-Corruption and Corporate Transparency 2020: Methods Paper
Defence Companies Index on Anti-Corruption and Corporate Transparency 2020: Questionnaire and Model Answers
![PDF cover of Progress [Un]Made – Defence Governance in Central and Eastern Europe](https://ti-defence.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/progress-unmade-cover-600x860.jpg)
Progress [Un]Made – Defence Governance in Central and Eastern Europe
Defence industry influence in Germany: Analysing defence industry influence on the German Policy Agenda
Analyse des Einflusses der Rüstungsindustrie auf die Politik in Deutschland
Trends in Defence & Security Corruption Arising from COVID-19
![PDF cover of Security sector reforms and COVID-19: Why anti-corruption matters more than ever]()
Security sector reforms and COVID-19: Why anti-corruption matters more than ever
Holes In The Net: US Arms Export Control Gaps In Combatting Corruption
A Mutual Extortion Racket: The Military Industrial Complex and US Foreign Policy – The Cases of Saudi Arabia & UAE
Corruption as Statecraft: Using Corrupt Practices as Foreign Policy Tools
Building Integrity in Mali’s Defence and Security Sector
An Assessment of Corruption Risks in UN Peacekeeping Operations
Corruption Risks and UN Peace Operations
Corruption and Plan Colombia: The Missing Link
Corruption and Military Operations: A Note for Commanders
Intervening Without Corruption: Guidance for Political-Military Planners
Military Involvement in Oil Theft in the Niger Delta
From Text to Practice: Applying Tunisia’s Access to Information Law to Defence
Poor Governance and Corruption in Ukraine’s Defence Housing System: Risks and Recommendations
Six Red Flags: The Most Frequent Corruption Risks in Ukraine’s Defence Procurement
Out of the Shadows: Promoting Openness and Accountability in the Global Defence Industry
Reducing Corruption on Operations: A Tool for International Organisations
Global Standards for Responsible Defence Governance
Camouflaged Cash: How ‘Security Votes’ Fuel Corruption in Nigeria
Tackling Corruption Risks in Tunisia’s Defence Sector
![PDF cover of The Officers’ Republic: The Egyptian Military and Abuse of Power]()
The Officers’ Republic: The Egyptian Military and Abuse of Power
TI-DS Briefing – Corruption: A Pitfall for Peace & Justice
Just What the Doctor Ordered: Corruption Risks in the Ukranian Military’s Medical Supply
The Fifth Column: Understanding the Relationship Between Corruption and Conflict
Mission Made Possible: External Oversight and Anti-Corruption in Fragile States
Making the System Work: Enhancing Security Assistance For Ukraine
Weaponising Transparency: Defence Procurement Reform as a Counterterrorism Strategy in Nigeria
The Big Spin: Corruption and the growth of violent extremism
NAKO Terms of Reference
NAKO Members
NAKO Mandate
Evaluation of the functioning and impact of the EU Defence and Security Public Procurement Directive (2009/81/EC) across 20 EU states
Licence to Bribe? Reducing corruption risks around the use of agents in defence procurement
Policy Brief: Strengthening Accountability in the Nigeria Defence Sector
Corruption & Peace Operations: Risks and recommendations for Troop Contributing Countries and the United Nations
Defence Companies Anti-Corruption Index 2015
Security assistance, corruption and fragile environments: Exploring the case of Mali 2001-2012
Advocating for Peace, Justice and Security in Honduras
MSC 2015: Corruption Threats to Stabilisation Missions and Defence Capacity Building
Suspension & Debarment: Strengthening integrity in international defence contracting
Avgustina Tzvetkova: An interview with the Deputy Defence Minister of Bulgaria 2009 – 2013
Identifying Corruption Threats in the Defence and Security Sector: Empirical evidence using the Government Defence Anti-Corruption Index
Corruption Threats & International Missions: Practical guidance for leaders
Single Sourcing: A multi-country analysis of non-competitive defence procurement
Classified Information: A review of current legislation across 15 countries & the EU
The extent of single sourcing in defence procurement and its relevance as a corruption risk: A first look
Chapter: Unveiling the ‘Shadow World’ – Civil Society Engagement and Public Control of the Defense Sector
Chapter: Defence procurement – understanding, identifying and addressing corruption risks
Étude sur les aspects de l’intégrité de la Force de Défense Nationale du Burundi
Building Integrity in UK defence: Practical recommendations to reduce corruption risk
Corruption & peacekeeping: Strengthening peacekeeping and the UN
Training the military and defence and security officials in understanding and preventing corruption
![PDF cover of Anti-corruption training course in Kabul for Afghan MOD and MOI senior officers]()
Anti-corruption training course in Kabul for Afghan MOD and MOI senior officers
Codes of conduct in defence ministries and armed forces: What makes a good code of conduct? A multi-country study (Arabic)
Building integrity and reducing corruption in defence & security: 20 practical reforms (Spanish)
The 3rd line of defence: How audits can help address defence corruption
Due diligence and corruption risk in defence industry offsets programmes
Military-owned businesses: Corruption risk & reform
Counter corruption reform in post-conflict countries
The transparency of national defence budgets
Organised crime, corruption and the vulnerability of defence and security forces
A review of anti-corruption reform measures in the defence sector in Colombia
Codes of conduct in defence ministries and armed forces: What makes a good code of conduct? A multi-country study
Building integrity and reducing corruption in defence & security: 20 practical reforms
Defence offsets: Addressing the risks of corruption & raising transparency
![PDF cover of Corruption & Security Assistance: Recommendations for donor states]()
Corruption & Security Assistance: Recommendations for donor states
Corruption Threats Assessment in Higher Military Education