TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly|What's Hindering Eco Policies Worldwide?

By TAI (Role at TAI)
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TAI Weekly

WHAT'S NEW?

Joe Foti provides an overview of how AI could change where, how, and how quickly corruption happens.

Amid debates on reform of international financial institutions, Toby McIntosh asks why the IMF’s transparency policy does not allow the public to ask for documents while around 400 development experts and organizationa call on World Bank President, Ajay Banga, to take civic engagement and CSO oversight more seriously.

Last week we wrote about the controversial foreign agent law being passed by the Parliament of Georgia. To counter and resist the law, organizers use various tactics to address emergency and longer-term needs. The Dalan Fund tells funders, now is the time to show solidarity with local movements.

Hanan Zafar and Jyoti Thakur highlight a troubling trend in India where the ruling BJP is using legislation to target critical journalists. Since 2014, at least 15 journalists have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and 36 imprisoned. 

Charles Keidan makes the call on an issue close to the heart of many TAI members - mobilizing funding for public interest media. To know the current state of financing see our healthy information ecosystem funding report.

Over the last three years, a diverse group of experts has been working to design a decolonising process for the digital rights field in Europe. Check out Weaving Liberation to learn more of the results.

Open Ownership explores whether the link between anti-money laundering and climate issues and the need for transparency in beneficial ownership for climate integrity. 

Prospective next UK Foreign Minister, David Lammy, lays out the UK Labour Party’s plans for tackling kleptocracy and international corruption through standing up for the rule of law.  He promises, “We will start internationally by hosting a summit of allies and international financial centres to launch a sustained initiative to tackle dirty money.”

In the face of unrelenting violence against rights defenders, most government protection measures are limited and individualized. A New Working Paper shares lessons from grassroots advocacy work for collective protection in Colombia. (In Spanish)

Matthew T. Page and Ricardo Soares de Oliveira discuss the Saudi-Africa summit in Riyadh, where over 50 African leaders aimed to secure part of Saudi Arabia's $40 billion investment in Africa. While this investment could aid development, they warn it may undermine democracy and good governance efforts in Africa.

Open contracting improving flood defenses in India; Lithuania making nearly all government procurement green; building a culture of procurement integrity in the Dominican Republic. Read of thse stories and more in Open Contracting Partnership's 2023 Annual Report.

CORRECTION & REMINDER!

In our last weekly newsletter, we referred to the Global NP Guide as a PilNet tool. We would like to clarify that the Global NP Guide is a joint tool created by ECNL, PilNet, and DLA Piper. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused, but at least it gives a good excuse to share the resource one more time!

FROM OUR MEMBERS 

FORD FOUNDATION: Martín Abregú, Ford’s vice president of international programs, is joined in conversationby Degan Ali, executive director of Adeso, an African organization that is changing the way people think about and deliver humanitarian aid.

HEWLETT FOUNDATION: “Effective, efficient, accountable national governing institutions are fundamental to civil society and the health of our democracy.” Program Officer Chayenne Polimédio shares more about building a flourishing and inclusive democracy via Economic Opportunity Funders. Her colleague Ali Norrani in turn shares how philanthropy can help build trust in governing institutions.

MACARTHUR FOUNDATION: is celebrating 30 years of forging partnership for development in Nigeria, including through the current On Nigeria program. Kole Shettima reflects on how support has evolved. Plus, the Foundation has launched a new round of 100&Change, its competition for a single $100 million grant to help solve one of the world's most critical social challenges. Submit your solution!

UK FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE: wants to hear from you! It’s International Centre of Expertise on Illicit Finance (ICE) is conducting a baseline assessment prioritisation survey. It seeks to build a multi-dimensional understanding of illicit finance vulnerabilities, threats and risks which impact on UK interests, and to develop response and intervention strategies, which effectively use the levers and tools available. Take the survey by this Friday, 31 May. 

 TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS 

Core funding brings locally-led approaches to the forefront of sustainable development says Alex Sardar reflecting on USAID’s Powered by the People's early progress.

This new interactive map provides a useful overview of systems and portfolio approaches in UNDP and way beyond. UNDP is exploring conditions and capabilities for reimagining how we collaborate, finance and act in times of radical uncertainty. 

The rise of funder intermediaries in philanthropy extends to both sides of the Atlantic. Alice Sachrajda and Lena Baumgartner share their experience with pooled funds, highlighting their increasing prominence in the UK. 

The future is having a moment. Marina Gorbis, executive director of the Institute for the Future, outlines how philanthropic and civil society leaders can use “social foresight” tools to “turn the strategy process from an episodic and dry exercise into a force for mobilizing communities”.

ESSENTIAL WATCHING!

Watch how communities bridge divides in this video "Charting a New Course: The Path to Community-Led Development" from the International Accountability Project.

FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK

Challenges in Environmental Governance Across Nations

Recent developments paint a vivid picture of the natural resource governance challenges faced by governments and stakeholders worldwide. Cambodia's directive to curb illegal gold mining within the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary reflects the perennial struggle between conservation efforts and economic interests. Despite governmental measures, the persistence of a Chinese mining company within the sanctuary's confines highlights the complexities of enforcement and the delicate balance between economic development and environmental preservation.

Meanwhile, in the Brazilian Amazon, carbon offset projects intended to combat climate change find themselves embroiled in allegations of timber laundering. Global brand companies have inadvertently or knowingly engaged with projects linked to illegal deforestation, shedding light on the challenges of monitoring and ensuring the integrity of offsets. Revelations underscore the need for enhanced accountability to safeguard against exploitation and uphold the principles of environmental sustainability.

Accountability for climate finance and aid offered is a further challenge. A sobering reality emerges as affluent nations reap significant economic rewards from global climate change programs intended to assist developing countries. A comprehensive review by Reuters reveals that countries such as Japan, France, Germany, and the United States benefit substantially from initiatives ostensibly aimed at supporting vulnerable nations. The unequal distribution of benefits raises questions about fairness and equity in resource governance. 

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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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