TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly | Maverick Momentum - Rewriting the Policy Playbook

By TAI (Role at TAI)
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TAI Weekly

WHAT'S NEW?

Transparency International has released its latest Corruption Perceptions Index, focusing on the theme "Corruption and the Climate Crisis." The report highlights the interplay between corruption and environmental degradation and calls for robust anti-corruption measures to address climate challenges effectively.

The International Centre for Tax and Development monitors the Financing for Development negotiations and offers recommendations on tax-related topics like informality, subnational finance, digitalization, taxing the wealthy, gender equality, and environmental taxes.

Armando Ayala-Robles examines the Development Bank of Southern Africa's role in sustainable development via Local Community Trusts in the renewable energy procurement, highlighting governance and capacity challenges.

Journalist Johnny Ryan discusses the threat posed by Big Tech to European democracy and urges the EU to dismantle manipulative algorithms to safeguard liberal democratic values.

Large language models (LLM) are often trained to respond with a wide spectrum of competing perspectives and opinions, but whose perspectives and opinions get excluded? Democracy Reporting's research looks into biases in LLM and their effectiveness in providing diverse responses to political inquiries.

Freedom House reports over 1,200 incidents of transnational repression by 23 governments in the past decade. The report highlights the need for international cooperation to protect exiles.

Sandra Martinsone outlines five reasons why the UK government should support the UN Tax Convention. With formal negotiations having commenced last week and set to continue through 2027, Martinsone argues that the convention offers an opportunity to create an inclusive, sustainable global tax system and urges the UK to engage constructively in the process.

The Centre for Internet and Society at CNRS and the Open Knowledge Foundation explore the relationship between Open Source AI and data governance. They call for clear frameworks for data sharing and governance to ensure AI development can be truly democratic while protecting rights and preventing the concentration of power in the hands of a few companies. Fei-Fei Li also argues it is past time for an AI governance framework.

ARTICLE 19 asks how to better integrate Right to Information principles into Tunisia's digital transformation efforts. This brief examines how to modernize government systems while ensuring transparency through three key areas: developing a comprehensive digitalization strategy, promoting proactive information sharing by government agencies, and making public data more accessible. 

The OECD's new case study on how Kazakhstan has enhanced its tax policy and administrative capacity, resulting in the collection of millions in additional taxes, offers effective strategies for combating tax avoidance and improving fiscal governance.

What do Europeans think of the rule of law where they live? World Justice Project surveyed 72,000+ people to provide a uniquely comprehensive and granular picture of the state of democracy, justice, and accountability across the European Union.

ESSENTIAL WATCHING

A new documentary, The Dynasty - How The Orbán Family’s Economic Empire Was Born, is blowing up the Hungarian internet since it dropped last Friday. An eye opening account into kleptocracy (in Hungarian).

FROM OUR MEMBERS

FORD FOUNDATION: Indigenous leaders—many of them Ford grantees— and local communities are launching their funds and grantmaking programs, ensuring financial resources directly support efforts to secure tenure rights, protect forests, advance gender equity, and promote food security.

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS: The Justice Initiative, alongside Amnesty International and Victim Advocates International, is filing a new complaint against Meta for amplifying hate speech that fueled mass violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar. 

LUMINATE: is joining forces with the AI Collaborative to support the European AI & Society Fund’s Breakthrough Initiative, helping mobilize €5 million toward ensuring AI aligns with human rights, climate action, and labor rights.

PACKARD FOUNDATION is looking for its next Operations Coordinator, Just Societies.

TAI SECRETARIAT  has released our annual report offering reflections on shifts in context in 2024, progress in funder collaboration, learnings and what excites us for the year ahead.

MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT: Introducing Our New Series: “Reflecting On Nigeria”

Big shifts begin with bold steps. For years, the On Nigeria program by the MacArthur Foundation has been proving that strategic support for transparency and accountability can drive lasting impact. Now, with their final grants awarded, staff are reflecting on the program’s legacy and the road ahead. Over the coming weeks, we’ll uncover the story behind On Nigeria, noting achievements, setbacks and learnings.

 

Find us on social media with the hashtags: #TAIOnNigeria #TAIseries #corruption #Nigeria #anticorruption

TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS

With the aim of better serving their communities, the Firelight Foundation is transforming its approach to address power imbalances in philanthropy by operating as both a grant-seeker and grant-maker. 

In the face of Trump Administration dismantling of aid, Vu Lee urges funders to resist the tendency to retreat into strategic planning mode, advocating instead for immediate and flexible support to meet pressing community needs.

Feminists in Kenya make a clear call to action to feminist philanthropists: “Fund courageously. Forget politeness. Fund to be effective. Fund like you want fascism to end. Fund like you understand the stakes”.  

Traditional funder-driven strategies often perpetuate power imbalances and focus on short-term outcomes. Embracing collectively owned approaches can more effectively address global challenges.

ESSENTIAL READING

In an interview with Alliance magazine, Masego Madzwamuse, Environment Programme Director at Oak Foundation, discusses her transition from conservation and economic justice to climate justice. She emphasizes the importance of South-South collaboration and highlights philanthropy's role in supporting African-led climate initiatives through both mitigation and adaptation strategies.

FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK:

Navigating Challenges in U.S. Policy Shifts

A lot of misinformation has been circulating about US foreign aid this past week. One of the most controversial moves was Elon Musk amplifying claims that only 10 percent of USAID money reaches its intended beneficiaries. In response, Rachel Bonnifield and Justin Sandefur highlight research demonstrating that aid delivery systems are significantly more effective than commonly perceived. Existing accountability mechanisms are largely functional, providing a crucial foundation for rebuilding donor confidence and public trust.

At the US Department of Justice, Attorney General Pam Bondi, dissolved the KleptoCapture Task Force and Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, claiming a focus instead on criminal organizations. The implications of this shift extend beyond U.S. borders, creating potential gaps in international anti-corruption cooperation and presenting new challenges for partner nations that have historically relied on U.S. support in their anti-corruption efforts. Authoritarian leaders are likely applauding this and welcoming the harsh effects of the funding freeze on independent media ranging from Russia and Hungary to Cuba.

Are there any silver linings? Could US pull back encourage other countries to take up more of a leadership role? Sergio Chaparro-Hernande considers the U.S. withdrawal from UN Tax Convention negotiations and suggests it could create a window of opportunity for advancing global tax governance reform. Without U.S. resistance, Global South countries can potentially wield greater influence in shaping the convention. Might there be similar opportunities in climate negotiations or in reshaping international finance institutions? Let us know what you think.

ESSENTIAL READING

In "The Universal Republic: A Realistic Utopia?", political scientist Mathias Koenig-Archibugi examines the feasibility and desirability of establishing a democratic global polity. The author explores whether a democratic world state could effectively address global governance challenges.

JOBS

(TAI recognizes that professionals dedicated to serving communities in need are facing unprecedented layoffs. In response, we are expanding the number of job opportunities featured in our newsletter and across our social media channels to support those seeking new roles)

CALLS

  • Funders for a Just Economy invites applications for its Racial Capitalism Community of Practice, a five-part series (March–June 2025) exploring anti-racist philanthropy and economic justice. Deadline February 12, 2025.

  • The African Academy for Open Source Investigation Fellowships are now open. Deadline February 12, 2025.

  • In 2025, the Rockefeller Foundation will open applications for its Big Bets Climate Fellowship, available in the Asia Pacific Region and the United States.

  •  The Amazonia+ call seeks a managing organization for local forest governance projects led by women and youth in the Amazon. Grants up to 400,000 Euros for 10 projects. Deadline 19 March 2025

  • Working on the political economy of aid and development? Join PEADS2025, April 23-24, 2025 in Pitlochry, Scotland.

  • The Thousand Currents Academy in Atlanta, will bring funders and allies together to support unrestricted, long-term funding for Global South movements, fostering systems change through trust and accountability, May 19-22, 2025.

CALENDAR

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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