TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly|Is the TikTok Ban a Wake-up Call for Transparency?

By TAI (Role at TAI)
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TAI Weekly

WHAT'S NEW? 

As TikTok navigates U.S. bans over ByteDance’s ownership, questions of data security and state influence loom large. While TikTok resumes operations under new assurances, experts warn that bans, like the recent Supreme Court decision, miss the bigger picture. Amnesty International highlights the broader harms of Big Tech’s surveillance models, calling for transparency and rights-focused reforms across all platforms.

Last year was the hottest on record. We need to speed up the energy transition. However, we also need to respects rights and transition accountability. Are the two mutually exclusive? In a new working paper for TAI, Dieter Zinnbauer says they don’t have to be. Read his call for fast accountability and tell us what you think.

Emma Agyemang and Aime Williams analyze prospects fr the OECD two-pillar international tax agreement. Indonesia has just introduced the 15% minimum corporate tax in line with the deal, but will U.S. policy shifts disrupt things and spark a global tax war?

The African Kleptocracy Report by ZAM- a creative platform centered in Europe for African artists-, and the Network of African Investigative Reporters showcases investigative journalism exposing African Kleptocrats and their networks. The report profiles courageous African journalists who risk censorship and personal safety to confront kleptocratic states.

Gauri van Gulik and Finn Heinrich urge European foundations to take a Democracy Pledge, dedicating 5% of their budgets to bolstering democratic institutions under threat from disinformation, authoritarianism, and climate change.

Distressing events in Sudan point to consequences of the failure to hold to account perpetrators of past rights violators. Are accountability mechanisms fit for purpose? The failure to pursue violations during Sri Lanka’s civil war suggest maybe not. A new report from the country’s Human Rights Committee notes that many women, including mothers and spouses among activists, victims and survivors in Sri Lanka's north and east, "appear to have lost faith in formal mechanisms designed to deliver truth and accountability" 

A new report from EUROPOL examines how EU criminal networks leverage legal business structures (LBS) to deepen community influence through corruption. The analysis builds on findings from Decoding the EU’s Most Threatening Criminal Networks and reveals the extent of LBS exploitation for illicit activities.

Rohnny Ryan argues that the real issue in the content moderation debate lies in algorithms amplifying outrage and harmful content. He calls on EU leaders to address this systemic problem to curb societal harm.

The Platform for Collaboration on Tax has released draft Tax Incentives Principles for public consultation. The principles aim to balance the benefits of tax incentives with the risks of revenue erosion, distortions, and governance challenges. The deadline for input is February 11, 2025.

Aly Rahim and Francois Bonnici emphasize the need for partnerships between financial institutions, the social economy, and civil society initiatives to bridge gaps and power inclusive development.

ESSENTIAL READING

Luis Godoy Rueda of Open Society Foundations reflects on Mexico's challenges and opportunities in a shifting international economic order in this El Financiero article (in Spanish).

FROM OUR MEMBERS 

HEWLETT FOUNDATION: Their Gender Equity and Governance Program is advancing macroeconomic approaches that support women across East and West Africa. In this video, grantee partners — researchers, advocates, policy experts, and women's rights organizations — outline their shared vision for an inclusive economy that fosters opportunities and well-being for all.

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS: Laura Carvalho, from Open Society Foundations, joins Paul Shrivastava of the Club of Rome to discuss transforming global economic systems.

FORD FOUNDATION: Has published its strategy update for its renamed Natural Resource and Climate Justice program. Ford is also hiring for this program and other great roles.

ESSENTIAL READING

The co-facilitators of the outcome document for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) – Mexico, Nepal, Norway and Zambia – have released a zero draft of the outcome document. This will be the basis for negotiations that pick up in earnest at the Third Preparatory Committee in New York in a couple of weeks. TAI will be there.

TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS 

Philanthropy must stand firm against threats to civil society in 2025. With civic organizations and funders facing growing risks, author Rachel Kleinfeld argues that appeasement is not the answer and calls for bold action to defend democratic values.

Chris Cardona, Managing Director of Discovery, Exploration, and Programs at TAI member MacArthur Foundation, co-edits a new book on participatory grantmaking. The book explores how shifting decision-making power can transform philanthropy. TAI´s Participatory Strategy Library describes how funders and nonprofits have designed and executed their participatory strategic processes. Check it out.

Halima Begum, head of Oxfam GB, advocates reforming the “broken model” of international aid. She suggests empowering civil society groups rooted in local communities to collaboratively decide how aid money is allocated, ensuring more effective and inclusive solutions.

TAI´s Michael Jarvis explores argues for more donor attention to climate governance as a cornerstone for enabling climate finance, ensuring policy implementation, and fostering accountability. Yet, there’s inconsistency in how “we define and approach climate governance”, from corporate board responsibilities to institutional oversight and global frameworks. 

FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK:

Transparency Round Up: From Digital Currencies to Development Impact

Recent developments in transparency reveal both opportunities and challenges across multiple sectors. The emergence of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) presents a double-edged sword for accountability. While these technologies could strengthen the ability to combat illicit financial flows, expert John Cassara warns they may simultaneously enable unprecedented levels of state surveillance and control over citizen finances.

The transparency landscape in think tanks has come under renewed scrutiny following Ben Freeman's recent presentation on foreign funding patterns in major U.S. policy institutions. This examination of think tank financing streams highlights the critical need for greater openness about the sources shaping policy research and recommendations.

On the international development front, the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) demonstrates how data transparency can drive concrete results. Their report "Powering Transparency" showcases practical applications of open data, with Nigeria serving as a compelling example where IATI data helped track $5 billion in alignment with national development objectives. This illustrates how transparency tools can bridge the gap between resource allocation and development priorities.

The intersection of transparency with sustainable development is gaining increased attention, as evidenced by a recent discussion TAI participated in. The Institute of Human Rights and Business, and the Just Transition Finance Lab presented their work emphasizing that transparency isn't just about disclosure – it's about “utilizing diverse financial mechanisms to ensure equitable outcomes in sustainable development initiatives”.

These developments collectively point to an evolution in how we approach transparency and accountability, moving beyond simple disclosure toward more sophisticated applications that balance enhanced oversight with ethical considerations and practical impact.

ESSENTIAL READING 

TAI participated in discussions on illicit financial flows and the sovereign debt crisis, hosted by UNDP's Finance, Integrity, and Governance project. Insights from these conversations, which inform the Financing for Development process, are now available online.

JOBS

CALLS

  • WJP released EUROVOICES, a survey of 72,000+ people across EU Member States on their perceptions and experiences with rule of law at the subnational level.

  • The Sidney Hillman Foundation is accepting entries for its Hillman Prizes, which recognize investigative journalism and commentary that advance the common good globally. Deadline January 31st.

  • Media grants for coverage of environmental crimes in the Amazon. Deadline 6 February 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

  •  USAID Global Accountability Program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 31 March 2025

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

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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