TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly | Dark Money Exposed: How Can We End Financial Opacity?

By TAI (Role at TAI)
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TAI Weekly

Dear readers,

A positive note to start this week - the ten-year anniversary of creation of the Open Contracting Partnership. The team reflects on its impact in helping improve over $120 billion in public procurement around the world. It’s a reminder of the potential for achieving systemic change through transparency and collaborative approaches.

Also, good to see so many join conversations around trust in government at the Open Government Partnership Africa and Middle East Regional Meeting in Nairobi.

Happy reading!

TAI team

WHAT'S NEW?

Against the backdrop of fastmoving events in the United States, eleven civil society organizations have requested the Open Government Partnership (OGP) to “immediately place the United States government under review for actions contrary to the principles and policies of the partnership.” They urge OGP to suspend the United States at the end of 2025 if the federal government fail to co-create a meaningful national action plan.

Jodi Vittori's provocative cover article in Foreign Policy studies whether America can be characterized as a kleptocracy. The author raises critical questions about power, wealth, and systemic corruption in contemporary American society.

The emerging landscape of transition minerals presents significant challenges in resource governance and anti-corruption efforts. The Natural Resource Governance Institute has collated analyses of the complex dynamics of corruption risks within critical mineral supply chains.

A recent statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense reveals plans to conduct information and disinformation operations targeting perceived threats to national sovereignty, a step toward a model of military-controlled online narratives that raising serious concerns about digital authoritarianism.

 Shotaro Tani and Heba Saleh reveal the illicit oil trade continues to fuel division and corruption in Libya, hindering efforts to hold elections and establish governance reforms. Reporting highlights how dark money influences the political landscape, stalling progress toward transparency and stability.

The upcoming Financing for Development (FfD4) conference in Seville is set to shape the rules of the global economy. Civil society organizations have a unique opportunity to influence discussions on economic justice and sustainable development. The CESR team breaks down why this matters.

Democracy faces increasing threats in both the United States (U.S.) and Europe, with rising concerns over backsliding institutions. A new piece in Alliance Magazine by Elisa Peter and Daniel Stid examines how funders can collaborate to mitigate these challenges, especially for vulnerable populations. 

Debates on U.S. foreign assistance often focus on efficiency, but Charles Kenny argues that despite shortcomings, aid remains an effective tool for development. His analysis dispels myths of widespread waste and fraud.

Kenny and Justin Sandefur also offer this detailed analysis and figures on USAID funding cuts, revealing significant reductions in international aid programs across multiple countries, including 97% cuts of good governance programs and 100% of civil society support. 

The carbon market landscape is shifting, bringing both new opportunities and risks of corruption. Dan Marks explores these developments and their implications for global supply chains.

Olena Lazorenko and Agnieszka Kwiatkowska, Ukrainian and Polish researchers, delve into the evolving nature of civic space in Ukraine. Their study examines legal and political factors shaping freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression in the country.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism's 2024 annual report  provides a comprehensive overview of their efforts in exposing global corruption, often at significant risk.

The European Center for Non-for-Profit Law has launched an Early Warning System for Civic Space Restrictions, a critical initiative to monitor and respond to challenges facing civil society across Europe. The project includes a methodology for tracking and addressing potential threats to civic engagement.

ESSENTIAL LISTENING

The New Humanitarian examines power dynamics in philanthropy, questioning whether donors are truly willing to cede control to communities. The discussion also dives into donor attitudes toward participatory funding. 

FROM OUR MEMBERS

FORD FOUNDATION: is partnering with The Moth, to train non-profits in storytelling techniques to enhance their advocacy and impact. This initiative equips organizations with tools to communicate their mission effectively.

LUMINATE: has new research revealing how AI-generated content influences public perception in Indonesia. While many are aware of AI-driven misinformation, overconfidence in personal immunity to manipulation remains a concern.

HUMANITY UNITED: Ryan Heman, Director of Forced Labor & Human Trafficking, spoke to The Business of Fashion about how forced labor continues to shape the fashion industry. He highlights gaps in supply chain accountability and the ongoing risks of exploitation.

MACARTHUR FOUNDATION: President John Palfrey calls on the legal community to step up and for “zealous advocacy” to defend the rule of law in the U.S.

TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS

Fiscal sponsorship is emerging as a crucial mechanism to support nonprofits in politically hostile environments. This report outlines how sponsors provide legal and financial stability, ensuring organizations can continue their work despite external pressures.

An article in Inside Philanthropy by Blair Glencorse and Malka Older challenges traditional international development approaches, arguing for mutual aid over unidirectional donor models. The piece critiques existing power dynamics in global humanitarian support, advocating for more collaborative and transformative community engagement.

The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, in collaboration with Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and National Center for Family Philanthropy, has issued a call to action for funders to coordinate responses to nonprofit challenges. 

This new blog from the Center for Effective Philanthropy showcases how funders are resisting political pressures and strengthening nonprofits in turbulent times.

ESSENTIAL IMAGE

devex

European aid cuts - courtesy of Devex.com

FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK:

Unveiling the Shadows: The Global Fight Against Financial Opacity

The OECD's 2025 Global Forum Capacity Building report points to significant progress in international tax transparency. Through collaborative approaches, countries are breaking down barriers that have historically protected financial secrecy. These international partnerships represent a transformative shift towards more accountable and transparent financial systems.

The technical work led by the likes of the OECD are complemented (and enabled) by more public attention and momentum for fairer financial systems. Paul Hebden celebrates the efforts of tax justice activists in the United Kingdom, who are driving public discourse and pushing for systemic reforms. 

For tax authorities (and the public) it helps to know the true owners behind complex corporate structures, and Open Ownership's latest policy brief provides crucial insights into how beneficial ownership information can be strategically employed to combat tax evasion and avoidance. The research emphasizes the potential for tax authorities and policymakers to develop more robust compliance strategies by penetrating the often-obscure networks of corporate ownership.

A stark illustration of the ongoing challenges in doing this comes via Transparency International's newly released Opacity in Real Estate Ownership Index. The report reveals alarming vulnerabilities in major economies' anti-corruption frameworks, with the United States receiving particular criticism for substantial gaps in ownership disclosure requirements. The Index provides compelling evidence of the urgent need for more rigorous regulatory oversight. The decisions of the U.S. Administration to undermine its Corporate Transparancy Act (as covered in our last Weekly), does nothing to help.

Achieving lasting change means changing mindsets. The work of organizations like the ones we highlighted in today's Focused Topic is not just about creating regulations—it's about reimagining a financial system that serves the broader public interest.

ESSENTIAL WATCHING

Reid Hoffman and Cecilia Conrad offer their thoughts during a funding call focused on rebuilding trust in institutions, managed through Lever for Change. The video reflection provides a study of strategies for institutional trust restoration and philanthropic approaches to addressing systemic challenges.

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