WHAT'S NEW?
G20 Finance Ministers release a statement on international tax cooperation that has a lot of compromise language. Interesting hint that on taxing the super rich, they hint that the Inclusive Framework on BEPS at the OECD “consider working on these issues in the context of effective progressive tax policies.” Expect some push back.
Giulia Aliprandi offers an in-depth look at Australia's new public Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR) regime for large multinational enterprises. The analysis compares Australia’s approach to other reporting standards, examines its potential impact, and identifies existing blind spots.
Elisa de Anda Madrazo is the new President of the Financial Action Task Force faced with navigating geopolitical challenges, including concerns from Global South countries about fair treatment and now comments from David Lewis, a former senior figure, questioning the effectiveness of FATF's recommendations in preventing money laundering.
There is an emerging discourse around the governance of foundation models that is critical for shaping the future of AI. Discussions are focusing on the regulation of model components, supply chains, and broader impact of AI systems.
Prominent data journalist, Paul-Joël Kamtchang, explores how open data can enhance transparency and accountability in Central Africa’s governance.
A new book examines anti-corruption tools used in Sierra Leone, providing practical discussions on the effectiveness of various anti-corruption strategies. On a related note, in a significant legal development, a Spanish businessman has been arrested in Spain for crimes committed during the Sierra Leonean civil war.
The Open Government Partnership explores the effectiveness of transparency as a tool for curbing corporate excesses. The discussion addresses when transparency works and when it may fall short of corporate sustainability standards.
Plus read highlights from a recent roundtable discussion on advancing collective action for impactful beneficial ownership transparency.
The OECD’s latest survey provides an overview of trust levels in public institutions across 30 countries, revealing key drivers and trends since 2021. It is one input for a major trust convening OECD is hosting in October (see our Calendar section for details).
Gilbert Sendugwa, Geoffrey Odong, and Sight Ampamya delve into the language of accountability in Uganda, offering an analysis of how accountability mechanisms are articulated and implemented in the country.
ESSENTIAL READING!
The OECD has released two significant reports: one on enhancing tax transparency in real estate, and another on the role of tax systems in addressing inequality. Both reports provide crucial insights into current challenges and proposed solutions.
FROM OUR MEMBERS
FORD FOUNDATION: President Darren Walker formally announced his plan to step down in 2025. Uer Walker’s leadndership, the foundation honed its focus on tackling inequality and spearheaded significant collaborations.
OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS: Director Laura Carvalho builds on the recent announcement of a $400 million investment in green industrial policy, by making the case for developing and emerging economies to cooperate on a new economic development paradigm - “We can build a new world of climate justice and social equity on the ruins of neoliberalism.”
LUMINATE: ICYMI, a reminder of Toyin Akinniyi and Audrey Kawire Wabwire explaining why civil society is integral to increasing women’s participation in society.
FCDO: International Development Minister Anneliese Dodds attended her first G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, emphasizing “genuine respect and partnerships with other countries,” while former U.K. Conservative development minister Andrew Mitchell raised concerns about the potential marginalization of development efforts.
ESSENTIAL READING
We cover a lot on the potential to tax the ultra rich, but who are today’s billionaires? A new census details where they are, how old they are and more. Dig in for insights into the evolving profile of the ultra-wealthy.
TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS
A new Devex report reveals that the 50 largest U.S. INGOs collectively reported $28.1 billion in their latest tax filings. This comprehensive report provides insights into INGO funding, including detailed charts and analysis on the sources and distribution of these funds.
Tim McCully highlights a significant shift in the INGO sector towards localization, transferring power and resources to local leaders rather than relying on the traditional Western INGO model. He frames localization as a cooperative rather than competitive process.
Funders are encouraged to better support pro-democracy groups by actively listening to their needs and fostering open dialogues about safety and emerging threats. This approach can help ensure that philanthropic efforts are both impactful and responsive to the challenges faced by these groups.
Omidyar Network CEO Michael Kubzansky has outlined the organization’s updated mission and strategy. The funder aims to harness the digital revolution to foster shared power, prosperity, and possibility, and build in pragmatic responses to the transformative impact of digital technologies.
HAVE YOUR SAY!
Esther Foreman emphasizes the importance of fiscal hosting for civil society (one topic at our recent TAI Learning Days). CivSource South Africa is developing a directory of African fiscal hosts to enhance support within the continent. Submit your responses by August 23 to contribute to this initiative.
FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK
Disinformation Further Restricting Civic Space
This past weekend, all eyes were on Venezuela as the country held pivotal elections. President Nicolás Maduro was declared the victor in a contested election. Early Monday morning, the country's electoral authority announced that Maduro had won a third term with 51% of the vote, despite several exit polls suggesting an opposition win. Under President Maduro's regime since 2013, Venezuela has witnessed escalating repression and censorship tactics aimed at stifling dissent and controlling public discourse. As the Digitial Forensic Reseach Lab document in a recent study the country has become a laboratory for digital repression. The government has constructed a vast surveillance network to monitor and censor online speech, while orchestrating disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks to intimidate journalists, human rights activists, and political opponents.
Governments are copying tactics from each other - many learning from Russia. The ICIJ explores connections with Russian disinformation campaigns, investigating their methodologies and impacts, while the International Journalism Network newsletter reflects on the state of misinformation in China, where government-led efforts dominate fact-checking initiatives. Despite recent successes in tackling health-related misinformation, concerns persist regarding impartiality and adherence to international standards.
Accessing reliable official data is also becoming increasingly difficult in many contexts. In response, Transparency International's Anti-Corruption Helpdesk offers practical guidance on enforcing right to information laws amidst challenges. Their latest brief provides essential strategies and identifies potential hurdles.
It doesn’t help when independent media and civil society face legal threats for trying to do their work. Nino Bakradze reflects on how Georgian journalists are bracing for life under the Russia modeled “foreign agent law.”
JOBS
Deputy Director - Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants
Senior Advisor for Governance and Anti-corruption - International Republican Institute
Program Manager - Open Society Network Grants
Policy Advisor - Illicit Finance Policy (Azerbaijan) - The Sentry
Tyranny Tracker Fellows - Human Rights Foundation (HRF)
Creative Director - Human Rights Foundation
Marketing Coordinator - The Public Interest Network
Digital Advertising Manager - Action for the Climate Emergency
Director, Strategic Communications and Media Relations - Israel Policy Forum
CALLS
WINGS call for proposals #LiftUpPhilanthropy Fund (LUP Fund). Deadline is tomorrow July 31st, 2024.
Third Annual Online Summer Certificate Course on Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Financial Flows - TraCCC, AITI, and the University for Peace. Deadline: August 5, 2024.
The Safeguarding Carbon Markets Challenge is live! Apply with a 4-page concept note and budget to enhance transparency in carbon markets. Deadline is August 15, 2024.
The Changemaker Authors Cohort supports full-time movement activists and social justice practitioners to complete books that create deep, durable narrative change that restructures the way people feel, think, and respond to the world. Submission deadline: August 15, 2024
MacArthur announced the launch of a new round of its 100&Change competition deadline of August 15, 2024.
Call for Proposals for the World Bank Annual Meetings 2024 Civil Society Policy Forum is now open! Deadline is August 19.
CIVITATES call for proposals for CSOs working in France and Ireland on the national implementation of the DSA and other EU regulations. Deadline is September 9, 2024, 11 PM CET
The Fund for Investigative Journalism is accepting proposals for regular grants (up to $10,000) and seed grants (up to $2,500). Deadlines: Sept. 9 for regular grants and Sept. 20 for seed grants, both at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
The Open Government Partnership (OGP) Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) is currently searching for individuals to join its pool of independent researchers with policy research and linguistic expertise on one or more of the following: Brazil, Cabo Verde, United States, Italy, Western Balkans (in particular Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro).
CALENDAR
Summer Course on Combating Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Trade: Networks, dynamics and social impact. From 5th to 15th August 2024
Political Economy Analysis for Climate Action course starting October 2024 - The Policy Practice - Participants can register here by 20 September, 2024
United Nations Summit for the Future, September 20-21 2024
OECD Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice, Ottawa, October 9-10 2024
OECD Global Forum on Building Trust and Reinforcing Democracy, Milan, October 21-22, 2024
IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, October 21-26 2024
América Abierta (opengovpartnership.org), 3 December 2024
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