WHAT'S NEW?
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative along with People Powered and Participation Factory, collaborates to enhance the involvement of local stakeholders in the management of marine fisheries in Seychelles and Madagascar.
Explore insights from the recent 11th China Sustainable Investment Forum held in Beijing, featuring extensive discussions on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters. (See our recent blogs on the missing “G” in ESG.)
James Watt, a keen observer of international affairs, is currently scrutinizing Iraq's efforts to combat corruption. The nation seems to be on a trajectory aimed at unlocking its true economic and human potential, but the journey is marked by questions about how to make substantial progress against corruption.
Three major global commodity trading houses engaged in corrupt dealings with Ecuador, using state oil companies as fronts, with entities from China, Thailand, Oman, and Uruguay.
Nasdaq has undertaken a comprehensive exploration into the state of financial crime and its profound implications for the global financial system.
A comprehensive investigative agenda for climate reporting has been outlined in a recently released report, collaboratively developed by more than 80 journalists and experts hailing from over 35 countries.
This Natural Resource Governance Institute brief offers eight case studies from diverse sectors beyond extractive industries, offering valuable insights for those seeking policy reform efforts.
The formation of a UN tax convention is now underway. Farida Bena delves into the next steps in the process. TAI will be hosting more sessions for funders on the convention this spring.
ESSENTIAL READING!
Equitable Cambodia's report highlights the risks associated with the growing gold mining sector, emphasizing minimal benefits to local communities and a lack of accountability for powerful industry figures.
FROM OUR MEMBERS
HEWLETT FOUNDATION: The Organizational Effectiveness (OE) program of the Hewlett Foundation, initiated in 2004, recently underwent a strategic refresh to better align with the current realities of the sector.
PACKARD FOUNDATION: Has revised its strategy for covering indirect costs, and essential expenses for organizational operations. Explore their updated approach, emphasizing equitable grantmaking, to learn more.
ESSENTIAL READING
Delve into the first edition of the year for "Ariadne’s Thread," a monthly update featuring events, briefings, and research tailored for social change and human rights funders.
TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS
TAI participated in the PEX Forum in Rome on January 26-27, where professionals in philanthropy infrastructure across Europe discussed their various roles in shaping the future of philanthropy.
People-led movements are driving change, defending freedoms, and advancing human rights. Break down barriers and join the 12-month Donor Challenge to nurture connections with grassroots changemakers.
Urgent Action Fund Asia & Pacific is exploring collective care practices in the region and wants to hear from others about their perspectives and experiences. Join the conversation and contribute to the evolving understanding of collective care in Asia and the Pacific.
The role of a program officer is pivotal in advancing a foundation's commitment to trust-based philanthropy. This concise guide encourages HR professionals, supervisors, and program officers to rethink the position in a transformative manner.
ESSENTIAL READING
Explore the recently published guide titled "A Simplified Guide on Decolonial Research," authored by Maria Tissera Luna. This resource is highly recommended for people seeking valuable insights into decolonial research methodologies.
FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK
Online clamp downs and information challenges
Governments around the world are turning to legislation to clampdown on online activities in ways that further threaten civic space. Take the case of Sri Lanka, where the recently passed Online Safety Bill, opposed by MP Eran Wickremeratne, has raised concerns about potentially paving the way for a dictatorship. The legislation criminalizes actions such as "coordinated inauthentic behavior" and making "threatening, alarming, or distressing statements."
Certain populations are targeted most. A recent report from APC and Derechos Digitales, reveals a global trend where governments employ cybercrime laws to criminalize women and LGBTQIA+ individuals, justifying heightened surveillance while diminishing freedom of expression.
What about the threat coming from corporations? A recent study investigates the sources behind the transmission of information about your online activity to Facebook. The study, conducted by Consumer Reports, delves into the extensive data collected by Facebook, leaving more questions than answers.
More encouragingly, Chana Schoenberger details evidence that remedies for online disinformation like accuracy prompts and crowdsourcing are largely effective across cultures and nations.
ESSENTIAL READING
Einaudi's researchers address democratic backsliding and political polarization, looking at the intertwined roles of political agency and institutional dynamics in determining regime outcomes.
JOBS
Executive Director - Recourse
Program Coordinator - Democracy Reporting International
Associate Director for Global Energy Transition Initiative (Latin America) - ClimateWorks
Executive Assistant - Mama Cash
Senior Illicit Finance Experts (Europe and Eurasia) - International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
Senior Project Manager for the topic “Climate Change” with a focus on land use - Robert Bosch Foundation
Associate Director - Governance Action Hub
Regional Tax Manager (Africa) - International Budget Partnership
Consultant - Elevate Children Funders Group (ECFG)
Deputy Director - Media Democracy Fund
Director of Policy and International Programs - Access Now
CALLS
Social Justice Lawyering Program - One Future Collective
Fellowship Program for the Global South - DEJUSTICIA. Deadline: January 31
Call for Workshop proposals for the in-person event in Vilnius, Lithuania - International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC)
Proposals for both regular grants and seed grants for early reporting - The Fund for Investigative Journalism
Reporting Democracy offers reporting grants for journalists from Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Deadline: Jan 30, 2024.
Submissions - The 2024 TRACE Prize for Investigative Reporting, Deadline January 31
“Principles for Relevant and Effective Support to Media and the Information Environment”. Read the principles in English and French and send comments on this draft by email to [email protected] - The DAC’s Network on Governance - Deadline 9 February
Applications open - Data Values Advocates program
Free training in digital investigation and electoral disinformation - AFP
World Justice Challenge 2024 - The World Justice Project, Deadline January 31
CALENDAR
'Exposing the Invisible,' an online talk series - Tactical Tech for the Collaborative and Investigative Journalism Initiative, 23 January - 12 February
RINGO Community Gathering - Decolonising Advisory Community, 31 January
Summary - Decoding COP28: post-COP webinar, 1 February 2024
Symposium on Systems of Financial Secrecy co-hosted by Open Ownership and the LSE International Inequalities Institute, 21 February 2024
Report Launch: Freedom in the World 2024, 29 February 2024
Artificial Intelligence & Philanthropy: Adoption, Use Cases and Ethical Considerations,
14 March 2024
Summit for Democracy, Seoul, Korea, March 2024
International Anti-Corruption Conference, Vilnius, Lithuania - 18-21 June 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