Defence Reform is one DCAF’s most important activities. To date, DCAF has engaged closely with several countries and regional organizations on defence reform issues, working not only with defence institutions, but also with democratic institutions responsible for their oversight. DCAF’s programmes have focused closely on the issues of transparency and accountability in the defence sector, integrity building and anti-corruption measures, the PfP ‘Defence Institution Building’ programme, and the governance of nuclear weapons.

Since 2005, DCAF has been involved in promoting and implementing the Partnership Action Plan on Defence Institution Building (PAP-DIB) through a number of platforms, including the creation of knowledge products, an ADL, regional conferences and trainings for civil society organizations working in the security sphere.

Since 2003, DCAF has focused on the issue of democratic governance of nuclear weapons, including the publication of policy papers and the initiation of several workshops on the issue. In 2010, this work led to a major publication on the issue with contributions covering the governance framework in each declared and undeclared nuclear powers.

Since 2001, DCAF has been involved in establishing transparency and accountability mechanisms across the security sector, with a special focus on Southeast Europe and the former Soviet Union. DCAF has developed a range of knowledge products to facilitate norms transfer on issues such as integrity building and democratic defence management. DCAF programming on transparency and accountability issues aims to provide stakeholders with the tools needed to ensure good practices in management of resources, procurement and policy formulation.