The Forum has formed the following working groups, which deal with specific issues of interest to the Forum members:

Debarment Working Group
This group is working with the UK Office of Government Commerce and the EU Commission to try to ensure that the debarment procedures implemented under the EU Public Procurement Directives and the EU Commission regulations and multilateral development bank (MDB) regulations operate transparently, fairly and reasonably, and take proper account of mitigating circumstances.

In May 2007, the Forum published a discussion paper entitled “Fair and Efficient Debarment Procedures”. The Forum supports the use of debarment as one of a range of anti-corruption actions provided that debarment is implemented in a fair and efficient manner. This discussion paper recommends certain minimum requirements. In particular, the paper states that it is vital that debarment procedures are implemented in accordance with good judicial practice, are transparent, are uniformly applied, and provide incentives as well as penalties. The Forum calls in the paper for international guidelines on debarment to be drawn up and agreed.

Developing Countries Working Group
This group is working to promote the creation of anti-corruption forums, similar to the UK Anti-Corruption Forum, in developing countries. The Forum would co-operate with these forums in exchanging ideas and information, and developing best practice. In this regard, the Forum is co-operating with the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

Overseas Support Working Group
This group is working with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office to examine ways in which UK embassies and other organisations can provide greater support and advice to UK companies working overseas that may be faced with corruption issues.

Transparency and Reporting Working Group
This group is:

  • Examining ways in which increased transparency and disclosure in the infrastructure sector by governments, project owners, funders, contractors and consulting engineers can help prevent corruption;
  • Working with DFID to examine whether DFID's proposed "Construction Sector Transparency Initiative" is workable and, if so, how the Forum can co-operate with DFID in its implementation;
  • Examining ways in which increased reporting of corruption can help prevent corruption, paying particular attention to the methods and results of such reporting, and to confidentiality and safety concerns.

Multi-lateral Bank Working Group
This group is:

  • Examining ways in which improved MDB procedures may help reduce corruption;
  • Examining ways in which MDBs could provide greater assistance to contractors and consulting engineers on MDB funded projects who are faced with extortion demands, or who have difficulty in receiving permits, certificates and payments.

Professional Standards Working Group
This group is examining ways in which improved training, professional standards and professional institution disciplinary mechanisms may help reduce corruption.