Accountability Lab | accountlab.bsky.social

🗳️ In the run up to Nepal’s most “youthful” elections in June, Accountability Lab Nepal answered the question “how do we funnel young people’s appetite for institutional change and proven movement building skills into existing processes?” As part of the Youth-Led Election Monitoring initiative, the Lab designed an approach with space enough for young people to observe and experience the electoral process firsthand, but also flexibility for it to be directed by the young people involved. 👓 Read the full piece in the The Diplomat Nepal: bit.ly/4uQs1Mk

What happens when the city you live in does not see you as part of it? Today, Accountability Lab Mexico premieres Del Papel al Territorio (From Paper to Territory) 🎬 The documentary follows Yuguelito in Iztapalapa, a self-organized community navigating the gap between participation as designed and participation as lived. A powerful story of accountability, transparency and participation. ▶️ Watch and join the conversation: bit.ly/4wy7DRV

Reflecting on our work in 2025, words like courage, solidarity, and agency have resonated deeply. In releasing our annual reports, we're excited to share some of the resilient pivots our teams implemented. We're also proud to have been able to provide information and support for peers and partners who navigated great changes. In response to January 2025's aid cuts – and funding contractions more generally – Accountability Lab's translocal network sprang into action to gather data that would inform donors and partners who were mobilizing resources, information, and tools to try to assist organizations and people in need. Accountability Lab Global, Accountability Lab Mali, Accountability Lab Pakistan, and Accountability Lab Nepal, deployed global and local surveys to inform actions to be taken to mitigate fallout. Through Open Co Hub in Kathmandu, affected groups engaged in critical discussions on the aid freeze, health rights, elections, and democracy. Rooted in #ShiftThePower principles, these efforts prioritized locally led engagement, amplified community voices, and fostered trust-based collaboration. 👓 For the full findings from these surveys read our annual reports: accountabilitylab.org/our-impact/

📢 Excited to share that our Co-CEO Blair Glencorse has joined the Strategy Steering Committee of the Youth Democracy Cohort (YDC). As YDC evolves into a collaborative, member-driven network, its new governance structure puts members at the center, ensuring decision-making is more inclusive, representative, and grounded in their expertise. The Steering Committee will: 📌 Guide strategy 📌 Strengthen youth participation 📌 Drive collective advocacy & partnerships 📌 Support inclusive, effective governance 🔗 bit.ly/4d9XaDb

🩺 This International Nurses Day, we’re reflecting not only on the care nurses provide, but on the responsibility we all hold to support them. Because the future of care doesn’t rest on individuals alone. It depends on the systems we build, the support we enable, and the value we place on those who keep services going. Across our network, we’ve had the privilege of recognizing nurses through our Integrity Icon campaign – an initiative that celebrates public servants who lead with honesty, accountability, and a deep commitment to others. Hema Thapa, recognized by @accountlabnp in 2023, is one such example. 🎧 Watch her story – and explore more stories of integrity in action on our YouTube channel: bit.ly/3PkeTQl

Join us in welcoming Andrea Currie-Edwards, our Senior Non-Resident Fellow! With 15+ years in anti-money laundering, illicit finance & anti-corruption, she brings deep expertise across sectors and global reform efforts. We’re excited to have her expertise guiding our work.

🆕🎙 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