TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly|Dark money, corruption, and the fight for democracy

By TAI (Role at TAI)
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TAI Weekly

What's New

Seven provocative essays—five by Latin American authors—outline the obstacles and institutional reforms needed for a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient world economy, including discussions of a global wealth tax and international tax cooperation.

Paula Martins argues for updating the concept of the ‘right of access to information’ in international human rights law, emphasizing the importance of a tech lens.

A report highlights how weak governance in IMF loan programs contributes to unsustainable debt, calling for urgent action to address these issues.

An investigative report reveals how Coca-Cola managed to hide a $16bn tax dispute with US tax authorities, raising concerns about corporate transparency.

Jack Brooks questions the integrity of carbon offset projects in Southeast Asia amid claims that the Cambodian Ministry of Environment is blocking Indigenous communities from securing ownership over their customary lands.

Investigative journalists have been hard at work. For example, sharing insights and strategies for investigating organized crime in Latin America or revealing how ​​the powerful Adani Group sold low-quality coal as high-quality to the state-owned power company in India. 

Saber Ammar discusses the risks of "green colonialism" through major green hydrogen investments in lower-income countries. 

On the citizen engagement front, a new study suggests that secular messaging in WhatsApp-based civic education courses may be more effective than religious-based approaches in Zambia.

TAI is planning a discussion on the implications of recent tax protests in Kenya for fiscal, climate, and democratic governance, but, in the meantime, The Economist offers its analysis of the lessons learned.

Stephanie Amoako and Margaux Day advocate for significant reforms to the World Bank's accountability system to better serve civil society.

Shanta Devarajan discusses why accountability is essential for Sri Lanka's sustained and inclusive growth. This essay is part of a broader ODI series on the country’s debt crisis and potential paths to economic recovery.

Colombia’s Constitutional Court ratified the Escazú Agreement, marking a significant step forward for environmental justice. The treaty strengthens access to environmental information, public participation, and justice.

A new report from Transparency International exposes corruption in health and education across Africa, highlighting its role in deepening inequality and restricting access to vital services. 

Essential Reading!

Grassroots justice workers around the world face conditions of rising authoritarianism and closing civic spaces. In response to human rights abusers using strikingly similar tactics (the “playbook of repression”), this report by Poorvi Chitalkar outlines a “playbook of justice,” compiling strategies that grassroots justice workers are using to respond. 

Tool for Funders

This evolving map of resources by the Global Fund for Children is available to help funders support locally-led development. (It includes TAI’s participatory strategy tool and our guide to enhance funder transparency and accountability created in partnership with WINGS.)

Humanity United is refining its grantmaking to align more closely with the priorities of grassroots organizations. This participatory approach aims to democratize the funding process. 

Systems leadership is crucial for coalitions aiming to create sustainable, effective change. Reos partners highlight how this approach emphasizes a shared vision, trust-building, and empowering stakeholders. 

The F20 conference emphasized the importance of Global South participation in climate discussions. This Alliance Magazine interview with Laura Señan Cagiao of Fundación Avina explores the critical role of Global South leadership in global climate strategies. 

Have Your Say!

Strong civil society is key to a fair and sustainable world, but much global development finance is inaccessible to grassroots groups. To help change that, Global Citizen has launched a call on the World Bank to start a civil society financing facility with at least USD 50 million. They are calling on people to back the call and say why they think civil society financing matters - add your voice here.

From Our Members

USAID: USAID has released a new policy guide, outlining strategic directions for supporting democracy, human rights, and governance globally.

LUMINATE: Luminate's partners share reflections on how technology can be both a tool and a challenge for democracy in Africa. 

MACARTHUR: The Center for Effective Philanthropy, supported by MacArthur, released its report on the State of Nonprofits 2024. Find insights to inform funders working to better support the organizations and communities they seek to serve.

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS: President Binaifer Nowrojee discusses how, in parts of Africa and Asia, Gen-Z protestors are taking to the streets to demonstrate their defiance.

FORD FOUNDATION: President Darren Walker discusses revolutionizing philanthropy and why "We are in the business of hope." Catch his full interview with Christiane Amanpour on CNN.

Focused Topic of the Week

Philanthropy and the future of democracy

We kicked off this Weekly with Anne Applebaum’s analysis of dark money threats to democracy - a critical, but from the only, front deserving of philanthropic attention in strengthening democratic governance. 

Nic Cheeseman's research in Africa highlights that skepticism toward democracy is often driven by disillusionment with political corruption and inefficiency. This suggests the need to address these internal weaknesses and restore public trust. On this logic, if democracies can improve their performance and reduce corruption, they may yet regain their legitimacy and appeal. This ties to arguments of those increasingly questioning the narrative of democratic decline. They suggest instead that the perceived shift toward autocracy in some regions is more a response to the failures of democratic systems—especially in terms of corruption and political performance—than a true preference for authoritarianism.

Initiatives like the Charles F. Kettering Global Fellows program demonstrate the ongoing commitment to promoting and defending democratic principles worldwide. Through the work of fellows such as Maame Afua Asantewaa Adusei, these efforts underscore the importance of inclusivity and resilience in democratic governance. 

Philanthropists, both foundations and individual donors, are increasingly turning to frameworks like the one developed by the Center for Effective Philanthropy to guide their contributions to democracy. This framework helps donors make informed decisions in a crowded and often confusing landscape, ensuring their resources are directed toward the most impactful initiatives.

However, the push for stronger democracies reveals critical gaps, particularly in the area of feminist philanthropy. As former TAI Steering Committee member Alfonsina Penaloza argues, the absence of a robust feminist movement within philanthropy represents a missed opportunity to address the systemic inequalities that threaten democratic systems. Integrating feminist approaches could provide a more comprehensive strategy for promoting democracy and gender justice, two deeply interconnected goals. 

TAI hosts a funder learning community to build gender just economies - perhaps it is time to have a parallel one on building gender just democracies?

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We’d love to hear from you on how we can further improve TAI Weekly to better serve your needs in program management on the transparency, accountability, improved grantmaking and civic space. Please direct your feedback to [email protected] or

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