Asset Recovery Strategic Partnerships


Switzerland supports strategic partners in asset recovery who provide technical assistance to countries, advocate for international standards, and facilitate knowledge and exchange on international efforts and ongoing cases. The partnerships leverage Switzerland’s potential to influence the agenda more effectively, facilitate the integration of international best practices in ongoing restitution negotiations, and help ensure that returned assets benefit the populations of states of origin.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Governance
Anti-corruption organisations
Democratic participation and civil society
Legal and judicial development
Domestic revenue mobilisation
01.01.2025 - 31.12.2029
CHF  5’100’000
Background

The proceeds of public corruption often end up in financial centres outside the countries of origin. Recovering these stolen assets entails cumbersome investigations, lengthy judicial proceedings, mutual legal assistance and agreeing on the mechanics of restitution.

Asset recovery is not only a key component in the global fight against corruption, but also an important source of development financing (SDG target 16.4). Switzerland has returned more stolen assets than any other state, accompanied the implementation of those funds, and promotes international standards and best practices at global level.

Switzerland’s leadership is complemented by collaboration with strategic partners, which facilitates efficient cooperation and ultimately contributes to assets being returned to the benefit of the population of the state of origin.

Objectives To promote the systematic and timely recovery and return of stolen assets for the benefit of the populations of the countries of origin, and to influence normative frameworks.
Target groups
  • Countries requesting technical support, in particular financial investigation units, anticorruption authorities, and prosecutor’s offices
  • Multilateral agencies and fora (e.g. Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption)
  • Governmental and nongovernmental asset recovery networks of practitioners
  • Populations in partner countries, particularly the poorest, who suffer most from corruption, inappropriate governance and the lack of a functioning and independent judiciary
Medium-term outcomes
  1. Capacity and expertise on asset recovery processes in countries of origin are strengthened
  2. Swiss priorities and experiences are embedded in global policy dialogue, international discourse, and norm setting on asset recovery
  3. A growing international consensus on best practices in asset return is realised
  4. Civil society plays an increased accountability role in asset recovery
Results

Expected results:  

  • Strengthen tools, procedures, instruments, policies or institutions to recover stolen assets at country level
  • Country level experiences fed into international policy discussions for improved responses, approaches or innovations to address asset recovery challenges
  • Delivery of regular trainings on financial investigations, case management, conducting forensic audits, mutual legal assistance, beneficial ownership and other topics
  • Publication of over 10 knowledge products
  • Stewardship of Asset Recovery Watch Database and Anti-Money-Laundering Index


Results from previous phases:   ICAR and StAR have contributed to improved international standards; facilitated significant exchange in the multilateral sphere and between countries of origin and financial centres; provided technical assistance to over 30 jurisdictions; and assisted in the adoption of dozens of laws in partner countries. ICAR’s case work accelerated mutual legal assistance processes which led to the Peru restitution in 2020, while StAR’s work and insight helped to develop and position Switzerland in multilateral negotiations. The Expert Group Meetings on asset return (Addis Process) have been a success, with the report “A Net For All Fish” from the third meeting being particularly acclaimed by multilateral partners.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International Financial Institution (IFI)
International or foreign NGO
Swiss Non-profit Organisation
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • Other Swiss Non-profit Organisation
  • Other UN Organisation
  • World Bank - International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
  • Basel Institute on Governance – contract partner for contribution to the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR); World Bank – contract partner for contribution to the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR) Multi-Donor Trust Fund; Civil Forum on Asset Recovery (CiFAR); United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)


Coordination with other projects and actors

Swiss level: The partnerships are part of SDC’s work on governance and complement the work of other parts of the Swiss Administration working on asset recovery and anticorruption, such as the Directorate of International Law, the Prosperity and Sustainability Division, the Federal Office of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General. It also complements SECO’s work on anti-corruption and antimoney laundering.

International  level: The strategic partners work closely with each other, in addition to having intersections with the OECD, the Financial Action Task Force, and the UN system.

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    5’100’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF    71’095’000
Project phases

Phase 1 01.01.2025 - 31.12.2029   (Active)