Accountability Lab | accountlab.bsky.social

🆕🎙 New episode of the AccountabiliTea Podcast As funding pressures grow and global dynamics shift, civil society organizations are being asked to adapt – often while continuing to deliver on their missions. In this episode, Cheri-Leigh Erasmus speaks with Anabel Cruz, @HodzaFay, and Leah Shearman to reflect on what this moment looks like in practice: from navigating constraints to rethinking collaboration, systems, and long-term sustainability. What emerges is a grounded conversation on how the sector is responding – and what may come next. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or via our website:
bit.ly/3QD0X4s #CivilSociety #Funding # GlobalAidFreeze #AccountabiliTeaPodcast #AccountabilityLab

🗞️ Press freedom is not only challenged through censorship – it is shaped by legal pressure, financial constraints, and digital harassment. As part of this year’s reflection, we’re revisiting a conversation from the AccountabiliTea Podcast with @DanaiNhando and @NkosiDibiti, unpacking what these pressures mean in practice – and what it takes to respond. The takeaway is clear: protecting press freedom requires stronger systems, collective advocacy, and public engagement. 🎧 Listen to the episode: bit.ly/3OYIuP7 #WorldPressFreedomDay #MediaFreedom #Journalists #HumanRightsDefenders #AccountabiliTeaPodcast

🕸️ When funding cuts threaten long-nurtured, trust-based relationships with and between governance champions, a thorough project closeout can tie and strengthen loose ends. 🫗 Here's how @accountlabzw did it: bit.ly/4w0y56a 📮 Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter where we share more learnings for a sector in flux: bit.ly/4sG6YdM

We’re excited to share the Democratizing Philanthropy Research Initiative (DPRI) Position Paper. Co-created by a global network, it reimagines philanthropy as a space to transform power, knowledge & resources. We're proud that our Co-CEO @blairglencorse contributed. The paper sets out a shared vision for shifting power in philanthropy that is grounded in collaboration, lived experience, and evidence-based research. Read & join the conversation: bit.ly/48Zphnc #DemocratizingPhilanthropy #ShiftThePower

The world is full of people building a more just, sustainable & peaceful future. It's time to recognize them! The UN @SDGAction 2026 #HeroesofTomorrow: UN #SDGAwards are open. 🏆 Changemaker Award: Individuals leading collective action toward justice, equality & peace. 🏆 Creativity Award: Initiatives inspiring hope through art, visual expression & innovation. 🏆 Resilience Award: Initiatives building resilience against conflict, inequality & climate change. Know a changemaker who deserves the spotlight? 🗓️ Apply or nominate by 17 May 2026: bit.ly/4tSN8h7

💡 Specialist leadership, shared stewardship What if stronger leadership is not about one person holding all the answers, but about sharing responsibility, trusting expertise, and making better decisions together? In our latest article, Accountability Lab’s Co-CEOs @blairglencorse, Cheri-Leigh Erasmus, and Jean Scrimgeour reflect on what it takes to lead together in a time of growing complexity. The piece explores how co-leadership can strengthen decision-making, deepen accountability, and help leaders focus where their expertise can have the greatest impact. 👓 Read more: bit.ly/3Nz5Bzn #AccountabilityLab #Accountability #Transparency #ThoughtLeadership #SharedLeadership #StrategicLeadership

We’re excited to welcome @aerostatico_Dd, our Senior Non-Resident Fellow 🎉 Founder and CEO of @reAccionpy, David brings deep experience from across the civic and social impact space. His work spans international relations, policy and data analysis, research, and public engagement, focused on strengthening transparency and accountability. Looking forward to the perspectives and energy he brings! ✨

As governments explore the potential of AI, Pakistan stands at a critical turning point. A new policy brief by @accountlabpk highlights how AI can transform public sector governance making it more responsive, transparent, and effective. But technology alone isn’t enough. Unlocking AI’s potential requires investment in people, digital infrastructure, strong data protection frameworks, and trust. The path forward? Treat AI as a public good, build with transparency, and align with democratic accountability. Dive into the full brief: bit.ly/3OwD51D #AccountabilityLab #PublicSectorInnovation #Governance #Pakistan

🛣️ Sustaining civil society at this moment requires changes in how donors fund, engage with, and partner alongside locally led organizations. We spoke with 22 local, Global South organizations about their lived experience, organizational decision-making, and the longer-term implications for civil society ecosystems one year on from last year's US government aid cuts. 👓 Read the full report here: bit.ly/4cHGTpU

Please help us welcome Tom Wein, our Senior Non-Resident #Fellow 🎉 Tom works to understand and strengthen dignity in development. He leads the Dignity Initiative at IDinsight and is a co-author of Marketplace Dignity. His work bridges ideas and action. From giving testimony to the UK Parliament’s International Development Committee to convening diverse voices and translating theory into practical improvements in public services.

“Africa is educating the next generation of global leaders with integrity.” We’re excited to share a new op-ed by our Co-CEO, @blairglencorse, and @obyezeks, founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, exploring how institutions across Africa are redefining leadership through integrity, accountability, and service. Read more about how institutions across Africa are rethinking education to prioritize collective wellbeing, collaboration, and meaningful societal contributions: bit.ly/4tBrP2H #NewLeadershipPipeline #ValuesDrivenLeadership #AfricanLeadership

📣 Democratic actors are facing real pressure: shrinking civic space, polarization, disinformation, and shifting funding landscapes. But there’s also something powerful emerging: resilience through adaptation, innovation, and collaboration. Our Co-CEO @blairglencorse joins an incredible panel: “From Dependency to Resilience: Rethinking Democratic Action in the Americas Amid Shifting Funding Landscapes.” Hosted by @globaldemocracycoalition_ and @almacivica, this conversation will explore: 📌 How funding shifts are reshaping civic space 📌 Risks to accountability and democratic innovation 📌 How organizations are adapting and collaborating for sustainability 📌 Key insights for the Americas Regional Forum Blair will be joined by an inspiring group of leaders: Angela Carrillo, @redladoficial | Dr. Cassandra Emmons, @ifes1987 | Luis José Consuegra (@luijo308), @international_idea | @paulinaibarra, @fmultitudes 🗓 Friday, April 10, 2026 🕑 2 PM CET/4 PM EAT 🔗Register now: bit.ly/4tu1O5p #GDCAmericasForum #GDCForum2026 #KeepDemocracyAlive

📣 Our Non-Resident Fellow @guerzovich has a new paper out with Thinking and Working Politically. Called 'Letting Go Without Losing Coherence: How Local Agency and Donor Accountability Can Coexist', she delves into how donors can let go of rigid control without losing systemic coherence. The paper addresses three practical questions: how such actors can be recognised, how their effectiveness and resilience can be assessed, and how donors can support this connective work more intentionally without formalising it into compliance. Read it here: bit.ly/4mhwqos

🇺🇦 Join us tomorrow for a conversation on how Ukrainian businesses advancing integrity and corporate compliance practices during conflict can help support a post-war reconstruction process. 🗓️ Wednesday 8 April 2026 ⏰ 9:00 – 10:00 AM ET 🔗 Register here bit.ly/4bWyP4w

At the @OECD – Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum, our Co-CEO Cheri-Leigh Erasmus joined a panel on using AI to prevent fraud and safeguard public funds. The takeaway: technology isn’t the challenge – trust is. Transparency, oversight, and citizen engagement are what make innovation work. #Accountability #AIforGood #PublicIntegrity

⏰ Last Call: Subgrants Cohort 2 | DDI South Asia The window is closing for the South Asia Diversity Fund (SADF) – Cohort 2 under DDI South Asia. If you're a civil society organization, youth-led initiative, or community-driven group, this is your opportunity to secure support for impactful work across South Asia. 🗓 Extended Deadline: April 03, 2026 🔗 Access RFA: lnkd.in/dQupjFQd 📝 Apply Now: impactgrants.org We are looking for innovative, locally-driven ideas that advance: • Digital inclusion • Civic participation • Accountable governance Don’t wait till the last minute, submit your application and be part of a growing movement shaping a more inclusive and equitable digital future. #DDISouthAsia #SADF #Subgrants #CivicEngagement

In Bamako, @accountlabML joined partners and young leaders to reflect on how the 'Youth, Peace and Security: Agenda 2250' can be shaped in ways that are inclusive, participatory, and grounded in lived realities. Through these conversations, a clear point came through: building sustainable peace depends on making space for young people to help shape the decisions that affect their lives. The discussions explored what this looks like in practice – how participation can be more meaningful, more locally rooted, and more responsive to communities. The team also contributed to discussions on the development of the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, highlighting the importance of approaches that are transparent and shaped by on-the-ground realities. This work is part of an ongoing effort to support youth participation in building peace, social cohesion, and security in Mali. @wanepmali | @NEDemocracy | MISAHEL | @DiaouHabibou #YouthParticipation #Peacebuilding #Accountability #Agenda2250 #Mali

🧩 What does meaningful participation look like in practice? In Mexico City, communities in Yuguelito, Iztapalapa offer one perspective. An abandoned lot transformed into a livable space – while navigating participation systems that don’t always reach everyone. Through CivActs, Accountability Lab Mexico has been working alongside the community to document these realities. 🎬 Premiere coming soon! #Accountability #CivActs #SocialAccountability

Our intern, Yamone Aye, contributed an inspiring op-ed to the @AusASEANyouth Annual Review 2025, titled “Shared Seas, Shared Future: Youth Leadership Against Marine Pollution in ASEAN-Australia Waters.” It's a powerful take on marine pollution & youth leadership. As Yamone concludes, the future of our shared ocean "depends on intergenerational, cross-border solidarity". 📖 Read it here: bit.ly/4dkHHSt #YouthLeadership #OceanGovernance #ASEAN #BlueEconomy

Panel Three was on fire! Digital resilience. Accountability. Real solutions. Young experts unpacked how to fight surveillance, disinformation, and digital repression with energy that filled the room. Watch the replay: youtube.com/live/aurxOECqp… #GDCForum2026 #ThankYouDemocracy