In cases of corruption, corporate structures and positions of power are abused for financial gain or benefits. Often, the benefit-seeker is not entitled to these benefits.
Corruption has serious consequences for society and individuals alike, as it slows down economic development, increases inequality and environmental destruction, and weakens democracy. It also reduces people’s access to services and an equal life.
In Finland, corruption is often characterised by activities being formally in compliance with law, while still being unethical. Corruption exists especially in activities between business life and the authorities. Street-level corruption, in which money is used to obtain services from the authorities to which citizens would also otherwise have access, is not very common in Finland.
Read more about corruption as a phenomenon.
Information and tools for combating corruption are available at anti-corruption.fi [.fi]›.
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<li class="attention-block__content"><strong>Pay attention to conflicts of interest.</strong> Monetary or other interests may affect the motivation or decision-making ability of an organisation or individual.</li>
<li class="attention-block__content"><strong>Avoid dual roles</strong> meaning situations where an individual holds two simultaneous roles; for example, as a participant in a tendering process and as a decision-maker.</li>
<li class="attention-block__content"><strong>Do not give precedence</strong> to any specific individual, company or other party <strong>without justification</strong>. Do not favour your relatives or help your friends or acquaintances in a reciprocal and unjustified manner. Cronyism refers to networks that are closed to some extent and whose activities are based on reciprocity and unethical favouritism.</li>
<li class="attention-block__content"><strong>Assess carefully</strong> whether a provider of a benefit or gift uses them to affect your decision-making processes.</li>
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<p><img src="/link/0662a492aa4b44d7a1270f2685768f91.aspx" alt="Construction sector, Public procurement and tendering processes, Municipal planning, Political decision-making, Party and election funding, Foreign trade and its promotion, Development co-operation, Sports" width="800" height="238" /></p>
<p>Corruption must be tackled with the means at our disposal. Many authorities receive and deal with reports of wrongdoing, although Finland does not have a dedicated anti-corruption agency.</p>
<p>If you suspect corruption in your workplace, report it in the first instance through your organisation’s internal reporting channel. If it is not possible to report the matter internally, or you are faced with a situation where internal reporting is not appropriate, report the matter to the Chancellor of Justice's centralised external reporting channel or to the police.</p>
<p>In certain situations, you can also report directly to the competent authorities. For example, if your suspicion of corruption relates to the financial management of the State, you can report it to the National Audit Office. If you suspect corruption in the financial markets, you can report it to the Financial Supervisory Authority.</p>
<p>Read more about reporting corruption: <a href="https://korruptiontorjunta.fi/en/report-corruption" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anti-Corruption.fi / Report corruption [.fi]›</a>.</p>
Act correctly to combat the shadow economy and financial crime
