WHAT'S NEW?
Transparency International has introduced new Global Standards for Integrity in Political Finance. These standards aim to tackle corruption risks in political funding and promote cleaner, fairer political systems worldwide.
South Africa's PetroSA faces scrutiny after awarding a billion-rand oil and gas contract to Lawrence Mulaudzi and his alleged shell company. The move underscores extensive corruption risks and concerns about accountability in state-owned enterprises.
Brad Brooks-Rubin critiques the Kimberley Process for failing to curb conflict diamonds due to transparency issues. He argues it’s time for stakeholders to rethink the framework’s relevance and explore new approaches.
A new primer on Algeria’s climate governance reveals institutional gaps in the country’s strategies to address climate change. The analysis evaluates Algeria’s regulatory frameworks and proposes actionable plans for improving transparency, capacity, and representation in climate policymaking.
Google and Meta have been criticized for their lack of transparency regarding political advertising ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections. This raises concerns about the ability of researchers and regulators to monitor election integrity.
ICIJ recaps “Big Oil’s war against transparency,” notably resisting disclosures required in the US, part of the ongoing battle over corporate transparency and kleptocracy.Meantime Swiss prosecutors are seeking $156 million from commodity trader Trafigura in bribery trial.
A new report offers insights to ensure fair and transparent financing for sustainable water and sanitation.
Stadiums, greenhouses, daycare centers, and other projects funded by Bolivia's hydrocarbons tax lie abandoned and overgrown. Jenny Marquez and Jesús Vargas suggest examples of public mismanagement point to deeper accountability issues in the country’s infrastructure investments.
Eloise Conley and Danelle Naidoo emphasize the importance of integrating gender considerations into the voluntary carbon market. They argue that empowering women in carbon credit projects boosts both environmental and social sustainability, advancing multiple SDGs.
World Bank Chief Economist Indermit Gill has called for a new global lending system to address debt challenges and ensure equitable development financing. He emphasizes the need for a fairer approach to support developing economies in the 21st century.
ESSENTIAL READING
Foreign Affairs included Indulging Kleptocracy: British Service Providers, Postcommunist Elites, and the Enabling of Corruption amongf its books of the year. If you missed it, check out their review of the book detailing how British institutions have facilitated global corruption.
FROM OUR MEMBERS
OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS: Reaffirm their commitment to human rights and systemic change, supporting movements worldwide despite challenges like climate change and democratic backsliding. OSF President Binaifer Nowrojee emphasizes hope in citizen-led initiatives and calls for reform. (More coverage here.)
USAID: Has released a blog outlining six key strategies they are using, alongside their partners, to combat corruption. The blog provides a detailed look at their progress and the impact of these initiatives.
PACKARD FOUNDATION: Jamaica Maxwell, Civil Society and Leadership Director at the Packard Foundation, joined Rusty Stahl on the Fund the People podcast to discuss how to respond to the growing threats facing civil society.
ESSENTIAL READING
For a deeper understanding of technology’s growing influence on democracy, The Tech Coup by Marietje Schaake explores how tech companies have embedded themselves in nearly every aspect of our lives and governments. Read this preview.
TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS
How can human rights organizations maintain momentum toward a long-term vision of rights-respecting states while facing shrinking civic space and funding challenges? Rethinking Rights Impact, a new project supported by Oak Foundation, will explore these questions.
Rogério Silva and Lucia Nader emphasize the role of strong civil society in sustaining democracy. They remind funders of the importance of bold investments, diverse approaches, and transformative changes in philanthropy.
Enei Begaye and Colette Pichon Battle reflect on providing grassroots support for environmental justice through a funding collective co-created by movement leaders and the Kataly Foundation.
The Business of Philanthropy by Badr Jafar, based on 50 interviews with leaders in business and philanthropy, delves into how strategic philanthropy can drive social and environmental change and inspire the next generation of innovators.
FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK:
Progress and Challenges Mark International Anti-Corruption Day
Last week’s International Anti-Corruption Day brought some encouraging news with the appointment of Margaret Hodge as the UK’s new anti-corruption champion. She has pushed hard for beneficial ownership transparency in an ongoing battle with British Overseas Territories. Meanwhile, a joint effort by the US and UK has led to sanctions against a network involved in gold smuggling and money laundering in Zimbabwe, the UAE, and the British Virgin Islands.
The CTC Grand Challenge features innovative efforts aimed at tackling corruption and fostering transparency in Malawi’s mining sector. More broadly, the vital role of civil society in combating corruption is showcased in UNCAC Coalition impact stories.
The Sentry published a chilling investigative report on corruption linked to the deadly disaster in Derna, Libya. The report reveals how greed-driven schemes in the city’s reconstruction threaten to repeat past tragedies.
As you think about priorities for 2025, don’t forget TAI’s scan of funding opportunities to crack down on enablers of corruption and our tracking of donor support for the area. It is a year on from Cristina Ordóñez’s review of anti-corruption funding - sadly the picture has not improved significantly and cuts loom if key players like USAID pull back. Can we go beyond 0.09% of philanthropic funding?
ESSENTIAL WATCHING
Rachel Kleinfeld, at the Obama Foundation’s Democracy Forum, emphasizes the importance of pluralistic democracy and the need to find common ground in the face of rising anti-democratic movements.
JOBS
Chair and Member, International Advisory Board - Open Ownership
Several Opportunities - Ford Foundation
Policy Advisor, Anti-Money Laundering in Gulf Countries - US Treasury. Deadline 31st of December 2024
Senior Regional Coordinator, Europe - Open Government Partnership. Deadline 5 January 2025.
Executive Director - The Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR). Deadline 6 January 2025
Several Positions - Advanced Tactical Support Group (ATSG)
Several Positions - Center for Democracy & Technology
Managing Director, External Relations - Freedom Fund
Executive Director, The Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
CALLS
Pulitzer Center seeks Rainforest Investigations Fellows [Africa, Asia, South America]. Experienced investigative journalists based in the Congo Basin, Southeast Asia and the Amazon. Deadline: Dec 31, 2024.
OECD Anti-Corruption Research Challenge. Call for new evidence to strengthen anti-corruption and public integrity systems. Deadline 5 January 2025
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.
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
Funder event – discussing water integrity risks and the take-up of water integrity global outlook recommendations (closed door event, on invitation only, a discussion session on managing water and sanitation financing integrity risks. Contact Claire Grandadam [email protected] for more information.) January 23, 2025.
OGP Asia and Pacific Regional Meeting in Manila, February 5-7, 2025
International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) 2025 Global Conference: Global Impact, Local Solutions: Funding Indigenous Self-Determination and Leadership, Naivasha, Kenya, 19-21 February, 2025
EDGE Conference 2025 | From Pledge to Action: Accountability in Philanthropy”, April 28-30, Bogota.
2025 Financing for Feminist Futures conference, Madrid, Spain, May 21-23, 2025
2025 World Justice Forum, Warsaw, Poland, June 23-26, 2025
8th Impacts of Civic Technology Conference (TICTeC), 10 & 11 June 2025 in Mechelen, and online.
4th International Financing for Development Conference, Seville, June 30 - July 3, 2025
Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, October 7-9, 2025
Global Investigative Journalism Conference (#GIJC25). Thursday, Nov. 20 to Nov. 24, 2025, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
11th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CoSP11) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), Doha, Qatar, from 14 to 19 December 2025.
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