Who we are?

NAKO - The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (previously - The Independent Defence Anti-Corruption Committee) - is an independent civil society organization whose function is to reduce the level of corruption and advance good governance in the areas critical for Ukraine's national security.

Mission

Our vision is a transparent, accountable, and less prone to corruption Ukrainian defence and security sector rooted in public trust - contributing to a free, democratic, and resilient world safeguarded from aggression and hybrid threats.

Our mission is to reduce opportunities for corruption through strong research, effective advocacy for reform, and increased public awareness, in order to strengthen the Ukrainian security sector’s ability to face challenges to the country’s sovereignty and democratic institutions.

Our aim is to reduce the opportunities for corruption in the Ukrainian security sector in a number of high-risk areas. NAKO produces credible, well-researched and timely evidence and recommendations, and advocates for their implementation. NAKO aims to promote the principles of good governance, effective legislation, and policies that drive behavior change within Ukraine’s institutions, critical to national safety and security. By enhancing accountability and transparency in security industries, NAKO works to strengthen civilian democratic control and reduce secrecy in these sectors. The organization collaborates with relevant ministries, industries, and major anti-corruption bodies, ensuring its independence and credibility. NAKO remains committed to being free from external influence, maintaining public trust, and aligning its activities with its mission to support Ukraine’s democratic and anti-corruption efforts.

Strategy

Reducing corruption risks in defence spending and promoting good governance in the defence and security sector

Increasing accountability and transparency of Ukraine’s defence industry

Strengthening civil democratic control over the defence and security sector and reducing over-classification
International Advocacy

History

NAKO started as a joint initiative by Transparency International Defence & Security and Transparency International Ukraine from 2016 to 2019
Since 2019, NAKO has been working as an independent organization that is a strategic partner of Transparency International. In the context of the Crimea annexation and armed conflict in the East, which poses a serious risk of escalation and armed confrontation between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, the primary task of the Government of Ukraine is to strengthen the county's defence and security capabilities. The lack of accountability in the defence and security sector and a high level of secrecy in defence expenditures are among the main risks for corruption and national security.

The need has emerged for an independent external body, that could control progress in anti-corruption reforms; address the requests to the countyr's leaders responsible for reforms; and provide donors, international representatives, and civil society with an objective assessment of the Government’s actions in fighting against corruption in the defence and security sector.

How It All Began

In 2016, Ukrainian civil activists and international experts created the Independent Defence Anti-Corruption Committee (NAKO). At first, NAKO was a project focused on Ukraine’s defence sector exclusively. It consisted of three Ukrainian and three international experts.

In 2019, with the support of its founders, NAKO grew into an independent civil society organization that works to reduce corruption risks and promote good governance in areas critical for national security. To reflect the broadening of its mandate, NAKO received a new name: the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission. Currently, NAKO maintains a strategic partnership with the Transparency International movement. Relations between NAKO, Transparency International Ukraine, and Transparency International Defence and Security are regulated by a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding.

NAKO’s key governing body is the Conference of Members, which includes highly reputable experts in governance, anti-corruption, and media. The Conference has both Ukrainian and international members. In between the meetings of the Conference of Members, NAKO is governed by an independent professional Board. The Executive Director is responsible for NAKO’s operational management.

In 2021, NAKO’s work is kindly supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of Great Britain and the Embassy of France to Ukraine. Previously, NAKO’s work has also been supported by the International Renaissance Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, and the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI).

Governing Board

Andrew Bain

President of Atlantic Group
Andrew Bain is a retired US Marine Reserve Colonel and a graduate of Yale University (BA) and the University of Michigan (MBA). Mr Bain served 6 years active duty as an infantry officer, 22 years reserve duty in general forces as well as a Foreign Area Officer supporting US Defense Attaché’s office, Kyiv. In 1992, he founded the Atlantic Group - Ukraine’s first and oldest communications network serving over 250 international or regional clients. Atlantic Group works in strategic partnerships or joint ventures with global communications companies such as Omnicom, WPP, Ketchum, OMD and other international communications networks. In 2014, he co-founded the Ukrainian Freedom Fund (UFF) - a Kyiv-based NGO, which supports Ukrainian army and volunteer units serving in Donbas. UFF now works on projects related to transparency and improved Ukrainian defence preparedness.

Andrii Borovyk

Executive Director of Transparency International Ukraine
University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy with a degree in Economics and received a Master’s degree in Business Analysis and Consulting (Warwick Business School, Great Britain). In 2015, he worked as Head of Administration Division at the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. He developed strategies for reform implementation, organized conferences and seminars for law enforcement staff members, and participated in the development of a communication platform for law enforcement. Prior to 2015 he worked for Millennium Capital as an Investment Analyst. He produced market research reports, built-up financial models, conducted company valuation and extensive qualitative and quantitative due diligence.

Larry Henderson

Vice President at Arcanum Global
Since April 2024, Larry has been Vice President and head of Analytic Intelligence at Arcanum Global. He also leads a geopolitical analytic risk unit there. From November 2022 to April 2024, he led the program for countries affected by conflicts at the Center for Advanced Defenсe Studies (C4ADS). With his innovative thinking and ability to develop research strategies, Larry brings extensive experience in information analysis, program management, workforce development strategies, and research design. He is proficient in teaching analytical methodologies and has experience developing and executing plans in complex, regulated environments. Mr. Henderson holds a Master's degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University and a Bachelor's in International Relations from the University of California.

Alan Riley

Vice President at Arcanum Global
Since 2015, Alan Riley has been a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, focusing on European energy security and sanctions policy. From 2021 to 2024, he served as Energy Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, where he contributed to strengthening the country's energy resilience amid political pressure from Russia. His work included diversifying energy supply, auditing disputed debt to Gazprom, and supporting the development of a competitive energy market. Between 2016 and 2024, he was a member of the Energy Community Advisory Committee, where he addressed cases related to anti-competitive practices, state aid, and the implementation of EU energy legislation by member states. Alan Riley is a British lawyer, professor of law, and expert with over 20 years of experience in energy security and sanctions policy. He has extensive expertise in legal analysis, research design, and policy development aimed at countering strategic corruption and the use of energy as a geopolitical tool.

Advisory Board

Oleksandra Matviichuk

a Ukrainian human rights defender, head of the Center for Civil Liberties, and one of the most influential human rights advocates in Eastern Europe. For many years, she has been documenting war crimes, persecution, and human rights violations, promoting justice reforms, and participating in international advocacy campaigns. In 2022, together with the Center for Civil Liberties, she became a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Matviichuk speaks at leading global institutions, drawing attention to Russia's crimes against Ukraine and advocating for the necessity of international accountability for them.

Sevgil Musaieva

a Ukrainian journalist, editor-in-chief of Ukrainska Pravda, one of the key figures in contemporary Ukrainian media. She specializes in topics of corruption, oligarchic influence, and political processes, and has many years of experience in investigative journalism and media management. Musaieva is a recipient of international awards in the field of freedom of speech, actively gives lectures and provides commentary for global publications, representing the Ukrainian context on the global stage.

Andrzej Fałkowski

a retired Polish Lieutenant General, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, expert on NATO and EU security policy, and Doctor of Economics. He has over 40 years of military service experience, including 14 years in NATO and U.S. structures. He specializes in national defense, international security policy, defense sector financing, and strategic planning. As a strategic advisor, Fałkowski has contributed to reforms of Ukraine's defense sector, particularly within the advisory council under the Ministry of Defense.

Michel Yakovleff

a retired French Major General. Throughout his 40 years of military service, he held key positions in NATO headquarters, in the Alliance's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), and at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). He participated in strategic planning and coordination of military operations in Europe. He currently serves as an analyst in French media, notably commenting on the situation regarding Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Team

Annual reports