Ariadne's Thread

Ariadne is looking for a new director! 

After 8.5 amazing years of leading Ariadne, our director, Julie Broome, will be stepping down at the end of January. We are seeking a new Director to lead Ariadne at a critical time for social change and human rights in Europe, creating spaces for joint reflection and learning, building trusted relationships among funders, and fostering creative collaboration in philanthropy. Location: UK or Europe (remote). Salary: 106,000 GBP. Deadline for application 25 January 2025. Learn more and apply.

Ariadne’s 2025 Forecast Questionnaire: 

It’s that time of year again, and what a year it has been. We’re creating Ariadne’s 2025 Forecast for European Social Change and Human Rights Funders. For over a decade,  your invaluable insights have shaped our understanding of the future landscape, and now we need your wisdom more than ever as we embark on this milestone edition. Please join us in answering the following questions:

• What is your greatest hope for 2025?
• What opportunities and challenges do you see for your grantees?
• How do you think your practice as a funder might change?

You can easily submit your responses via our short questionnaire, available in French, Italian, Spanish, German or English (simply switch languages at the top of the form).

Save the date and register for some of the Forecast Roundtables (please note: these are funder-only events):

• Germany Roundtable: Thursday, 30 January 2025 in Berlin, collaboration with VertrauenMachtWirkung and Dreilinden. Register via email here. 
• France Roundtable: Tuesday, 11 February 2025 in Paris, hosted by Fondation de France. Register here.
• The Netherlands Roundtable: Wednesday, 12 February 2025 in the Hague, hosted by Hivos. Register here.
• Italy Roundtable: Tuesday, 18 of February 2025 in Rondine (Arezzo), organised by Ariadne and Assifero, hosted by Fondazione Rondine.
• UK Roundtable information and registration opening soon! 

Ariadne’s Reconnect 2025: Early bird registration for Ariadne members only is now open for Ariadne’s 2025 Reconnect taking place Zagreb, Croatia from 8-10 April 2025  supported by Solidarna. Register here via the Ariadne Community Hub. 

Winter Break: Ariadne will be closed for a well-deserved time of rest and restoration starting on 23 December. We will be returning to work on 2 January. We will be returning to work on 2 January. We wish you a peaceful and joyful festive season, and we look forward to reconnecting in the New Year! 

All these resources and more can be found on Ariadne’s website and Member-only Community Hub. Are you a member of Ariadne but don’t have access to the Community Hub? Sign-up here or email jana.stardelova@ariadne-network.eu.

The next Thread will go out on Thursday 16th January. We would love to hear from you! Please contact us by Tuesday 14th January if you would like to share announcements, events, or resources for the next issue. 

Council of Europe Report “Mapping Study on the Rights of the Child and Artificial Intelligence”: This study shares the results of a mapping exercise carried out by the Steering Committee for the Rights of the Child (CDENF) and The Alan Turing Institute, which was motivated by the three key challenges identified during the high-level launching Conference of the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027). These challenges are as follows:

• The lack of legal frameworks that address AI in the context of children’s rights; 
• AI systems are often designed in a way that does not consider children’s rights; 
• The scientific evidence about the impact of AI on children’s development is still scattered, so is our understanding.

Global Expression Report 2024: “More than half of the World is living through a Freedom of Expression Crisis”. According to the latest Global Expression Report, in 2023, the percentage of people living in countries in Crisis rose to 53%. That’s more than 4 billion people in 39 countries. This growth in the population in Crisis countries is due to the shift of India into this expression category between 2022 and 2023. 

Mixed Migration Review 2024 – Migration politics, migration narratives and public opinions in 2024 – the year of elections: This year’s Mixed Migration Review explores the interwoven relationship involving politics and migration through interviews, essays, highlights and data.

European Institute for Gender Equality – 2024 Gender Equality Index: Access the latest Gender Equality index to learn about the gender equality disparities within EU, employment gender gaps, care challenges in an ageing EU, and many more.

European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) Report Ruthless & Racist: Policing Roma in the Balkans: The report demonstrates the depth of institutional racism towards Roma in the police and criminal legal systems of three Balkan countries: Greece, Serbia, and North Macedonia. It draws on nearly three decades of ERRC litigation and human rights monitoring to demand that state authorities abide by their declared commitments to the principles of justice and equal protection before the law.

Civic Futures: Civic Futures was co-founded by the Funders Initiative for Civil Society and the Fund for Global Human Rights to uncover the root causes of shrinking civic space worldwide. Their research revealed that the abuse of national security powers was the primary factor threatening to further restrict civic space in the coming decade. Despite the significance of this finding, the issue received limited attention from funders. Civic Futures was established to address this critical gap. Visit their website to learn more about their work and important analysis and reports.

Balkan Civil Society Development Network – 2023 Regional Report on Civil Society Environment: The 10th Monitoring Matrix Regional Report, synthesising insights from the BCSDN members country reports on the civil society environment in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye in 2023. Under revised methodology, the report evaluates 22 standards across three core areas: Basic Freedoms, Financial Viability, and State-CSO Relations. 

​Liberties “Behind the Screens: How Digital Platforms Influence the 2024 EP Elections”: The new Liberties research investigates the trend of social media advertising as a tool of persuasion in the 2024 European Parliament elections, examining whether existing regulations are being respected and asking how the digital age has moulded modern campaigns. The research highlights some concerning trends in how political ads are handled online.

Luminate “This landmark ruling is turning the tables on Big Tech”: In the Netherlands, a landmark ruling has opened the door for millions to defend their privacy rights against Big Tech, led by The Privacy Collective. Read about their lawsuit against Oracle and Salesforce, by Luminate’s Aditi Tripathi.

CIVICUS Lens ‘Europe is implementing policies of deliberate neglect leading to avoidable deaths at its external borders’: CIVICUS discusses migration policies and civil society responses across Europe with Janna Sauerteig, Mobilisation and Advocacy Manager at SOS Humanity.

Civil Society Voices – Alex Hayes “Why have so many funders closed to applications?”: Some of the identified answers in this article are:

• Demands and costs have been rising, due to Covid-19, the cost-of-living crisis and austerity.
• The number of people giving has decreased. There’s also been a drop in donations from major philanthropists. So, charities may turn to trusts and foundations to fill the gap.
• This means the number of applications has also been rising – this year saw a 40% increase.

L’Observatoire Philanthropie & Société of Fondation de France presents “Digital technology at the service of democracy: issues and perspectives for the general interest”: The first edition of the new “Observatory Notebooks” explores how the digital revolution impacts the definition, pursuit and implementation of the public interest. This notebook offers in-depth analyses and recommendations for combining digital and democratic issues, addressing topics such as fundamental rights, civic engagement and inclusion mechanisms for all populations. Available in French only.

Open Society Foundations “Funding New Paths Toward Open Society—an Update”: On International Human Rights Day, Open Society reaffirmed their commitment as the world’s largest private funder of rights, equity, and justice. Amid rapidly evolving challenges and increasing threats to the values we uphold, Open Society made an array of multiyear commitments in 2024 to support human rights actors at all levels—from community-based activists to national, regional, and international human rights groups. 

Open Global Rights “Can judges help save the planet? Landmark court decisions on the right to a healthy environment”: In this article, David R. Boyd, César Rodríguez-Garavito and Melina De Bona, present a new report and database highlight 20 landmark court decisions on the right to a healthy environment, drawing upon cases from all parts of the world.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation “Practices for Transitions in a Time Between Worlds”: This supplement by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation offers readers ways to illuminate inquiries, capacities, and practices that can open consequential new pathways to a better tomorrow. 

Article “Rethinking Rights Impact: realising the long view of all rights for all people”: Authors, Dan James, Mona Younis, and Molly Judge, share information about the background of the new project, Rethinking Rights Impact, supported by Oak Foundation that will explore how can human rights organisations maintain momentum toward a long-term vision of rights-respecting states while facing shrinking civic space and funding challenges.

Podcast: Grantmakers in the Arts closed out its “Love of Radical Giving” podcast series with an episode about how narrative shapes our beliefs, influences civic discourse, and defines our paths to collective action. 

Comic Relief “2023 Impact Report: Seizing the Moment”: Access the 2023 impact report by Comic Relief to learn more about their impact, fundraising and grantmaking approach. 

Philea Opinion – “Beyond funding: Exploring participatory practices in the Gulbenkian Foundation’s management of the Active Citizens Fund”: “The philanthropic task has become more complex due to disruptions caused by the global pandemic, persistent socio-economic inequalities, increasing polarisation, institutional racism, and the widespread impacts of climate change. These factors continuously challenge the legitimate and fundamental aims of philanthropy.” Read more in this article by Pedro Calado, Director of the Active Citizens Programme, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.

The Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR) Podcast “Unrestricted funding: approaching impact assessment as a shared endeavour”: The latest Listening and Learning Together podcast by IVAR is all about unrestricted funding and approaching impact assessment. In it, guests from UK trusts and foundations discuss the technical and cultural shifts required in funders to enable more collaborative approaches to assessing impact. 

Media Defence “2025-2029 Strategy”: The new Strategy reaffirms the commitment by Media Defence to deliver exceptional legal support, ensure journalists can continue their vital public interest reporting. Their priorities respond to the growing intensity and complexity of threats to journalism—not only in repressive regimes but also within democracies globally.

BothENDS “The global rise of authoritarian regimes demands global strategies”: In this blog, Karin van Boxtel examines how the global funding landscape for civil society is shrinking, the role of narrative funding in the growth of authoritarianism, and the potential for philanthropy to unite for a stronger, more coordinated resource mobilisation strategy.

Trust, Accountability, and Inclusion Collaborative (TAI) “The Strategic Role of Global South Intermediaries in Advancing Localisation Goals”: TAI’s latest study highlights the strategic role of Global South Intermediaries (GSIs) in advancing localisation, including those with a track record on rights and governance. While these organisations offer mechanisms for channeling resources to local actors, they must complement rather than replace direct grassroots funding. 

Civic Futures “Defending Civic Space Against “Foreign Agent” Laws: How Should Donors Respond?”: “A wave of “foreign agent” laws has further chilled civic space around the world in recent years. As civil society actors devise strategies to push back against these repressive tactics, private philanthropy and bilateral and multilateral donors have vital support roles to play. They can help civil society prepare for future challenges, so that it is organised not only to respond to evolving forms of repression but also to get ahead of them by tackling their root causes.”

Open Society Foundations – Grants Associate. Open Society Foundations are seeking a Grants Associate to provide advanced and complex administrative support for grantmaking activities and/or other opportunities by performing operational work that helps achieve the program’s goals and plans. Location: Mexico City, Bogota or Rio de Janeiro. Deadline for applications is 22 December. 

Open Society Foundations – Associate People and Culture Officer, Global Payroll Management. With OSF and its employees spread across multiple locations, it is essential that standard processes are executed when delivering payroll across multiple jurisdictions. The Associate P&C Officer will work with the OSF payroll outsourced provider to ensure that payroll services are delivered to each location (except the US) in a timely manner compliant with local tax and standards. Location: London, United Kingdom. Deadline for applications is 30 December. 

MADRE – Strategic Grants Manager. The Strategic Grants Manager is critical in advancing MADRE’s institutional fundraising efforts by managing relationships with institutional funders including foundations, governments, and multilateral institutions. This role focuses on grant strategy, funder engagement, and proposal and reporting processes and writing, ensuring alignment with MADRE’s programmatic goals and mission. Salary: 100,000 USD. Location: US-based (Remote). Deadline for applications is 5 January. 

Paul Hamlyn Foundation (PHF) – Telling the Foundation’s Story – Invitation to Tender. In early 2024, the Foundation began a project to review its historical records and develop a systematic archiving approach. Phase one involved working with freelance archivists to enhance the archives and policies. The Foundation now seeks a consultant to create a written narrative using archival extracts and oral histories from key stakeholders. Budget: 20,000 GBP including VAT. Location: United Kingdom. Deadline for applications is 7 January. 

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation – Funding Manager. This key role will add substantial grant-making and strategic capacity to the AFF team, which currently consists of 6 people reporting to the Director of A Fairer Future. The role will take on existing relationships in the form of a portfolio of organisations at various points in their funding journey. This person will pick up these relationships and ensure continuity as well as contributing to strategic initiatives, helping to achieve impact in the thematic areas covered by the AFF strategy and roadmaps. Location: London, United Kingdom. Deadline for applications is 10 January.

Dalan Fund – Resource Distribution Coordinator for the Romani Program. The Resource Distribution Coordinator of the Romani Program will work closely with the Resource Distribution Manager and Romani Participatory Decision-Making Committee to coordinate and hold participatory processes of co-designing the program strategy and participatory decision-making on resource distribution. The coordinator will provide support throughout the cycle, including conceptualisation, operationalisation, accompaniment, and learning. Location: Remote with specific requirements (see vacancy for detailed information). Salary: 2,700 USD monthly gross. Deadline for application is 12 January.

Mama Cash – Interim (co)Director of Partnerships & Communications. As part of the Management Team, the co-Director of Partnerships & Communications (DPC) is co-responsible for the management, strategy and results of Mama Cash. The co-DPC is responsible for achieving the fundraising objectives in Mama Cash’s strategic plan. The purpose of the position is to contribute to Mama Cash’s overall mission and sustainability by sustaining and expanding funding for Mama Cash, and stimulating individual and institutional donors to become supporters of Mama Cash.  Salary: 4,907 EUR and maximum 8,691 EUR. Location: Remote (The Netherlands). Deadline for application is 12 January.

Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union – Accountant. The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Brussels office is looking for an accountant to manage financial operations, reporting, and compliance. The role includes budgeting, auditing, and ensuring adherence to EU regulations, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and effective communication skills. Applicants should have experience in financial management, fluency in English, and knowledge of German or French is a plus. Location: Brussels, Belgium. Deadline for applications is 15 January. 

Ford Foundation – 2025 Summer Internship. Since its inception, the program has aimed to provide an enriching and rewarding experience for students from diverse majors and career aspirations. Designed to introduce participants to philanthropy and the not-for-profit sector, it offers a comprehensive learning and development opportunity. Intern assignments vary by department but typically involve administrative tasks, analytical work, research, and support for special projects. Salary: 38.50 USD per hour. Location: New York City, USA. Deadline for applications is 25 January.  

The National Lottery Community Fund – Deputy Director: Digital. The National Lottery Community Fund is currently seeking a Deputy Director: Digital – a critical role supporting the wider organisation in delivering its ‘It Starts with Community’ strategy through to 2030. This exciting, pivotal, and varied position comes at a time of optimistic change and growth. Reporting to the Chief Finance and Resources Officer, the Deputy Director will focus on product development, product management, user research, and service design. Salary: 75,000 – 83,000 GBP. Location: United Kingdom. Deadline for applications is 24 January. 

*For more jobs, see the ‘Career Opportunities’ section of Ariadne’s Community Hub. To address pay gaps in the charity sector, we strongly encourage you to #showthesalary in your job adverts.

7 January, Online  

Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls: Can Labour Achieve its Objective of Halving VAWG in a Decade? Violence against women and girls (VAWG) in England and Wales affects an estimated two million women annually and has been declared a “national emergency” by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). The Labour government aims to halve these incidents within a decade by reforming the justice system to prioritise victims. The symposium unites stakeholders to discuss Labour’s proposals, share best practices, and strategise on reducing VAWG over the next decade. Date and time: 7 January 2025 from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm GMT.  Learn more and register here. 

27-28 January, Washington DC, USA 

2025 FCAA Global Philanthropy Summit.  FCAA’s Global Philanthropy Summit aims to unite 200 donors and activists in Washington, D.C. to galvanise our collective action toward health, human rights, and justice. A series of plenary sessions and workshops over two days will: Assess the impact of recent elections on the people and places most impacted by HIV; Explore the role of philanthropy in this political moment; and, strategise together to protect and strengthen the global HIV response. Date and time: 27-28 January 2025 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm EDT.  Learn more and register here. 

27 February, Online

Webinar: Inter-Narratives: What narratives will help us challenge a world where 7 people own 70% of the world’s wealth? Cassie Robinson will be in conversation with Jake Hayman, author of a new book Wealth Unpublished, Sarah Kerr, Research Fellow, International Inequalities Institute, LSE and one of the Wealth Hackers. Date and time: 27 February 2025 from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm GMT. Learn more and register here.