Transparency International

Transparency International is a global civil society organisation dedicated to combating corruption and promoting integrity in public and private institutions. Established in the early 1990s, the organisation has grown into a prominent international network renowned for its research tools, global advocacy, and extensive partnerships aimed at fostering transparent governance.

Background and Formation

Transparency International (TI) was founded on 9 February 1993 in The Hague, Netherlands, and formally registered on 15 June 1993 in Berlin, Germany. Its establishment is closely linked to several former World Bank officials and influential figures in international development, including Peter Eigen, Hansjörg Elshorst and Michael Wiehen. Early founding members also included senior experts from development agencies, multinational corporations, academia and global financial institutions. Their shared motivation was to create a structured international response to the systemic governance failures and entrenched corruption observed in many regions during the late twentieth century.
The organisation’s development was strongly influenced by German civil society networks and the professional connections of its early leadership. TI began as a small collective but quickly evolved into a transnational non-governmental organisation with national chapters committed to combating corruption within their respective jurisdictions. Over time it expanded into a global coalition, with membership rising from a handful of individuals to more than 100 national chapters.
TI holds membership or consultative status in several international bodies, including G20 Think Tanks, UNESCO, the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network. It also aligns its objectives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, particularly the goals relating to peace, justice and strong institutions.

Organisational Purpose and Mission

The mission of Transparency International is centred on mobilising a worldwide movement to create systemic change towards a corruption-free society. The organisation defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain and stresses its damaging implications for public welfare, democratic governance and economic development. To address these concerns, TI develops evidence-based tools, conducts advocacy campaigns and works with governments, businesses and civil society groups to strengthen anti-corruption frameworks.
TI’s activities include research, policy analysis, legal interventions, public education and the promotion of ethical standards. It has become a major reference point in global governance debates and is regarded as one of the leading international think tanks in transparency and accountability. Its rankings in think tank evaluations reflect its influence, including high scores in categories such as transparency, good governance, advocacy campaigns, public engagement and digital communication.

Growth, Membership and Global Presence

Since its inception, Transparency International has served as an umbrella organisation for a decentralised but coordinated network of national chapters. These chapters operate autonomously within their national contexts while adhering to TI’s core principles. The movement emphasises grassroots engagement, reinforcing its belief that combating corruption requires local empowerment combined with international solidarity.
In 2017 TI confirmed the disaccreditation of its national chapter in the United States, reflecting the organisation’s emphasis on internal integrity and adherence to its global standards. It continues to engage globally through partnerships with academic institutions such as the Global Alliance in Management Education and collaborates extensively with international organisations on governance reforms.

Development of Key Indices and Research Initiatives

TI’s reputation is built upon several widely used analytical tools that evaluate corruption risks and perceptions across countries. These indices are employed by governments, multinational corporations, international organisations and researchers.

• Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI): Introduced in 1995, the CPI ranks countries based on perceived levels of public sector corruption. It is a composite index derived from surveys conducted by reputable institutions and experts. Although criticised for relying on perception rather than empirical corruption data, it remains a seminal indicator for understanding governance quality. TI argues that perception influences behaviour, investment decisions and public trust, making such measures highly consequential.
• Bribe Payers Index (BPI): Published from 1999 to 2011, the BPI assessed the likelihood of multinational companies from different countries engaging in bribery abroad. The index was discontinued due to funding constraints and a strategic shift in the organisation’s priorities.
• Exporting Corruption Reports: Since 2005 these reports evaluate the enforcement of anti-bribery laws by major exporting countries, especially signatories of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.
• Global Corruption Barometer (GCB): A worldwide survey capturing citizens’ experiences of corruption in everyday life.
• Global Corruption Report (GCR): A thematic research publication exploring specific sectors such as climate change, education and healthcare.
• National Integrity Systems (NIS) Assessments: Country-level diagnostics analysing institutions responsible for safeguarding transparency and accountability.
• Government Defence Anti-Corruption Index: Initiated in 2013, this index assesses corruption risks within defence sectors across numerous countries. Despite criticism from some governments, TI emphasises the importance of transparency in security institutions.

Major Partnerships and Initiatives

TI acts as the secretariat for the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC), a biennial global forum established in 1983. These conferences convene policymakers, researchers and civil society leaders to deliberate on corruption trends and reforms.
In 2016 TI launched the Global Anti-Corruption Consortium (GACC) in partnership with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). This collaboration fuses investigative journalism with policy advocacy, enabling evidence uncovered through transnational investigations to inform legal and institutional reforms.
Furthermore, since 2023 TI has incorporated artificial intelligence tools on its website, using chatbot-assisted technology to expand public engagement and enhance accessibility to anti-corruption resources.

Organisational Funding and Structure

Transparency International operates as a registered association in Germany, headquartered in Berlin. Its funding model includes financial support from Western governments, multilateral donors, and multinational corporations. Past contributors have included the United Kingdom government, major oil companies, hedge funds and global consultancy firms.
The organisation’s governance structure typically consists of a Board of Directors, national chapter representatives and an International Secretariat that coordinates global activities. Funding arrangements are publicly disclosed to uphold organisational transparency.

Controversies and Criticism

TI has faced occasional criticisms related to its indices and methodologies. Some academics and governments argue that perception-based measurements may reinforce stereotypes or unfairly disadvantage developing nations. The organisation has responded by refining its methodologies and emphasising the policy relevance of perception data.
TI has also encountered challenges in politically restrictive environments. Its classification under Russia’s foreign agent legislation in 2015 and as an undesirable organisation in 2023 illustrates how anti-corruption advocacy may conflict with domestic political interests.

Strategic Priorities

TI operates through long-term strategic frameworks. The 2010–2015 strategy emphasised People, Institutions, Laws, Values, Network and Impact as core pillars. The subsequent Strategy 2020 was shaped by more than 1,500 stakeholder contributions and reflected emerging challenges such as digital corruption, illicit financial flows and declining public trust. These strategies guide TI’s research agenda, advocacy work and chapter engagement.

Areas of Work

The organisation’s thematic work spans public sector reform, private sector accountability, whistleblower protection, illicit financial flows, political integrity, judicial independence and anti-corruption education. TI aims to strengthen systems rather than merely exposing individual acts of corruption, advocating for long-term institutional resilience.
TI functions as both a research-driven organisation and a global advocacy network. It promotes coalitions that bring together communities, businesses and public institutions, reflecting the premise that corruption is a complex problem requiring multi-sectoral solutions.