Ariadne's Thread

Dear Ariadne Community,

I hope this monthly Thread finds you well.

Over the past weeks, we have convened national forecasting gatherings in Paris and Berlin. Across both spaces, one thing was clear: this is not a moment for passive analysis. It is a moment for preparedness.

This year, we are indeed approaching our Forecast work differently. Rather than presenting preliminary findings and then inviting discussion, we have started with you, members of Ariadne and friends, to surface the opportunities, risks, and pressures shaping shrinking civic -and philanthropic- space. Legal constraints, regulatory tightening, narrative pressures, growing self-censorship, these themes are emerging across contexts.

From these rich exchanges and ad hoc conversations, we will now distill a lighter, fit-for-purpose publication highlighting key priorities for funders in the months ahead. More to follow this spring.

These conversations are also pushing us to think more deeply about risk and resilience. In March and April, in partnership with Kamara, we will host two practical workshops for our members focused on risk appetite, designed to support philanthropic actors in navigating complexity with clarity and intention.

Last but not least, a heartfelt thank you to all members who completed our strategy questionnaire. Last week, the team spent dedicated time unpacking your responses. At our Annual Reconnect in Bologna this April, we will have space to open up some of these reflections with our members there. I warmly hope many of you, members and friends, will join us for a conference centred on When the Ground Shifts: Philanthropy with purpose.

As always, below you will find this month’s Ariadne Thread with news from our team and members.

With appreciation,
Maja Spanu

Blog 

“What the Ariadne Susan Treadwell Change Lab gave me” by Ugo Ikokwu, Grants Manager at Trust for London and participant in the first Susan Treadwell Change Lab cohort.

“The AI Climate Hoax: Behind the Curtain of How Big Tech Greenwashes Impacts” new report co-commissioned by the Green Screen Coalition, authored by climate and energy analyst Ketan Joshi. The report was published by a consortium of environmental organisations including Beyond Fossil Fuels, Climate Action Against Disinformation (CAAD), Friends of the Earth U.S., Green Screen Coalition, Green Web Foundation, and Stand.earth. The report finds that 74% of claims about AI’s climate benefits are unproven, serving the profits of tech and fossil fuel industries, while downplaying the major climate harms of generative AI.

The next Thread will go out on Thursday 19th March. We would love to hear from you! Please contact us by Tuesday 17th March if you would like to share announcements, events, or resources for the next issue. 

All resources 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.

Global Fokus report “When civil society is equated with foreign agents”: This analysis is based on information shared during the webinar When Civil Society Is Equated with Foreign Agents on April 2025, involving a diverse group of civil society actors as well as relevant reports, articles, and academic publications. It seeks to provide examples of Foreign Agent Laws, how they affect civil society and potential ways to pushback.

Center for Effective Philanthropy‘s new report, “A Sector in Crisis: How U.S. Foundations and Nonprofits Are Responding to Threats,” finds:

• 65% of nonprofit leaders report increased demand for their services in 2025 while 69% report experiencing funding cuts.
• Nearly half of nonprofit leaders express concern that their organization will need to close or merge.
• A notable perception gap between foundation and nonprofit leaders with 93% of foundation leaders reporting they understand challenges their grantees are facing, while only 54% of nonprofit leaders agree.

Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation report “Women’s Rights in Western Balkans” (2025): This 9th edition of Women’s Rights in Western Balkans focuses on the indicators Women’s in Politics and Security for Women Human Rights Defenders. Across the Western Balkans, challenges such as weak rule of law, politicised judiciaries, high-level corruption, media capture, and limited protection of minority rights remain deeply entrenched.

Council on Foundations publishes the third and final publication in the Coming Together, Not Apart series. The publication, Building the Hearts, Minds, and Skills for Leading Across Differences, explains the leadership qualities required to advance the work of bridging differences. 

Funder Safeguarding Collaborative report “Safeguarding in Philanthropy: Safer Grant-Making for Higher Impact“. Conducted by Accountable Now the report explores how funders can create safer, more equitable practices that protect people and communities while strengthening organisations and maximising impact.

Urgent Action Fund Asia & Pacific (UAF A&P) report “Rumah Kita: The Story of Our Becoming”: In the tradition of sharing knowledge from generation to generation, this report tells the story of the creation of UAF A&P. The youngest of the four Urgent Action Sister Funds, UAF A&P is emblematic of the ways that each Sister Fund builds upon a shared foundation and benefits from the wisdom of its predecessors, while elaborating its own distinctive offerings and ways of working.

Philea – “Philanthropy Infrastructure in Focus: Supporting, Empowering and Catalysing European Philanthropy“: This online guide explores the unique role and characteristics of Philanthropy Infrastructure Organisations (PIOs) and how they drive transformation despite operating with limited resources.

The International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations new publication “Hard Conversations for the Future of Human Rights”: This publication includes interviews with leaders from the Global South and North that offers concrete, strategic ideas about how to manage – and survive – the crises affecting movements.

Blog “Civil Society Organisations as Pillars of Democracy: The Bulgarian Case in Brussels”: The public discussion Building Democratic Resilience – the Bulgarian Case brought together representatives of Bulgarian civil society organisations and European institutions. The discussion focused on the key role of civil society in protecting democracy, human rights, and vulnerable communities in Bulgaria. The event was held within the framework of the BIRDS in BG project of the Bulgarian Fund for Women (BFW).

Podcast – What Next? Leadership Conversations for a Better Future: In the latest episode, Leslie Johnston, M.Sc., CEO of Laudes Foundation, joins Peter Bennett, Marc Kahn and Lindsay Hooper to discuss how philanthropy can accelerate the transition to an economy that values people and planet—by supporting ideas and institutions that markets and governments can’t fund alone. Key insights:

• Why philanthropy’s risk appetite is critical for early-stage and long-term innovation
• How shifting incentives and narratives can unlock systemic change
• The role of enduring institutions and leadership that thinks across generations

Frontier AI Trends Report: The UK AI Safety Institute has published its first public, evidence‑based assessment of how the world’s most advanced AI systems are evolving, bringing together results from two years of frontier model testing. 

ODI Global Blog “Confronting efforts to dismantle gender equality and inclusion”: In a new blog, Director of ODI’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion programme, Caroline Harper explains why dismantling dedicated gender and inclusion institutions, and relying on narrow “mainstreaming,” undermines our ability to respond to today’s crises.

PICUM booklet “Unseen Lives”: The new booklet gathers rare testimonies of people who experienced immigration detention, deportation and the long, uncertain journeys in between – from across Europe and beyond. With this booklet, PICUM calls for policies that centre the voices of undocumented people and those with direct experience of detention and return, alongside civil society actors working in the field. 

Global Philanthropy Project and ILGA World announce the LGBTI Pathways survey is now open, collecting global and regional data on the funding realities of organisations working with and for LGBTI communities. We invite organisations to provide their input.

ENAR toolkit “Contributions from social justice to the digital justice ecosystem”: This toolkit, developed by ENAR, is a starting point for social justice organisations across Europe who want to explore how to engage with digital and tech issues. It is not a comprehensive guide, but an invitation: to connect racial, economic, climate, migrant, queer and trans-feminist justice work to the growing digital justice ecosystem.

Trust, Accountability and Inclusion (TAI) Collaborative “Changing the Rules of the Game: A Funder’s Guide to Advancing Women’s Substantive Political Participation“: This new guide written by Trimita Chakma is designed for funders as a guide to advancing women’s substantive political participation, and focuses on supporting women leaders who actively challenge structural inequities rather than simply increasing female representation, regardless of policy orientation.

A global coalition of organisations advancing women’s rights has launched Accelerate Together – international initiative to mobilize $600 million USD annually in new funding for grassroots women-led movements around the world. The initiative responds to intensifying global challenges and to a growing body of research showing that strong, autonomous women’s movements are among the most effective drivers of lasting social change.

Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) has published its 23rd annual Philanthropy’s Response to HIV and AIDS. The latest report on the state of HIV philanthropy arrives as public funding cuts, shrinking civic space, and escalating hostility toward already marginalized communities have fundamentally altered the landscape. According to the authors, this year’s report, which analyzes 2024 grantmaking, finds that HIV philanthropy remained largely static leading up to 2025’s funding crisis— a clear sign that bold change is needed.  

Philanthropy For Climate, an international movement involving over 1,000 foundations, in this blog for Philea, offers five recommendations for foundations to deepen their engagement with climate and environmental issues. This includes Collective Progress Tracking, which allows funders to identify shared challenges and creates opportunities for learning across the sector. 

Migration Exchange – MEX, “First Shaping the Future learnings show why participatory grant-making is essential right now“: In this article you will find 5 pointers for funders navigating the current moment, based on the learnings from the Shaping the Future project.

Corra Foundation – 2024-25 Annual Report: The Annual Report and Accounts for 2024-2025 reflects on Corra’s work towards the three big changes they hope to see by 2030:

• Power to create change rests with people themselves.
• People with ideas for radical change are supported, skilled, connected and confident.
• People are working together to respond to the big challenges in Scotland.

Article “How the Global Philanthropy Project raised $182 Million for LGBTQI rights: Inside the playbook with Matthew Hart and Sarah Gunther”: In this article, Kit Muirhead, partnerships manager and gender lead at Alliance magazine, sat down with Matthew Hart and Sarah Gunther of the Global Philanthropy Project after they officially closed the ‘Fund our Futures’ Campaign. Having achieved an amazing $182 million pledged for queer-led movements across the globe, the campaign earmarked a historical milestone in funding for global LGBTQI rights.

Center for High Impact Philanthropy publishes annual “High Impact Giving Toolkit” which provides individual donors and professional grantmakers with actionable guidance for high impact giving year-round.

Article “What does a responsible philanthropic exit look like? Reflections on good practice”: In this article for Alliance magazine, consultants, Charlotte Timson and Joanna Heywood share best practices for foundations and donors navigating grantee funding withdrawal. 

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation – Grant funding overview for 2025: Access the page to learn about about the 2025 grants, broken down by funding aim and priority, type of support, amount awarded, and length of term. 

Global Fund for Children – Global People and Culture Senior Manager. Global Fund for Children is recruiting a Global People and Culture Senior Manager to support its growing team and organisational culture, championing HR strategy, systems, and people development in alignment with its mission to ensure children and youth are safe, strong, and valued. Salary: For US-based candidates, the salary range is $85,000 to $110,000 dependent on level of experience. International hires will be locally benchmarked dependent on location, available benefits, and experience. Location: Global / flexible (remote/hybrid) structure. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

Omidyar Network – Head of Communications. Omidyar Network is seeking an experienced, highly collaborative, and adaptive Head of Communications to advance the firm’s impact through strategic campaigns, thought leadership, and narrative storytelling. This leader will bring strong political acumen and technology fluency to refine and execute ON’s influence strategy while strengthening its reputation and visibility across key audiences. Salary: 216,000 – 270,000 USD. Location: San Francisco (hybrid model). Deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

Network of European Foundations – Deputy Director.  The Deputy Director strengthens NEF’s effectiveness by partnering closely with the Executive Director to translate strategic priorities into timely, high-quality implementation, ensuring strong alignment between vision and execution. Working across Operations and Project Teams, the role drives internal cohesion, fosters collaboration, builds trusted funder and stakeholder relationships, and embeds systems and a culture that support sustained impact and organisational agility. Salary: 93.000€ – 101.500€. Location: Brussels, Belgium. Deadline: 20 February 2026.  

European Fund for the Balkans – Advisory Committee Members (Engaged Democracy Initiative). The European Fund for the Balkans is seeking Advisory Committee Members to guide its Engaged Democracy Initiative, providing strategic input, regional expertise, and oversight for strengthening grassroots civic engagement across the Western Balkans (Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia). Members serve a two-year term with honorarium compensation and travel costs reimbursed. Location: Western Balkans (Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia) & hybrid meetings. Deadline: 23 February 2026. 

Global Dialogue – Chief Operating Officer. Global Dialogue is hiring a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and manage the organisation’s operations, statutory compliance, financial planning, human resources, IT/data protection, risk management, and organisational systems, while contributing to strategic leadership alongside the Executive Director and Senior Management Team. The COO will engage with funders and partners, ensure regulatory compliance and governance, and support the organisation’s mission to advance rights, equity, and diversity across its hosted philanthropic programmes. Salary: £86,000 per year. Location: London, United Kingdom (remote/hybrid with international engagement). Deadline: 1 March 2026. 

Hivos – Digital Security Consultancy (Palestine). Hivos is seeking a Digital Security Consultant or consultancy team to strengthen digital security practices for 18 Civil Society Actors (CSAs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Palestine under its Connect, Defend, Act! project by conducting risk assessments, developing a context-specific digital security curriculum and training materials, delivering a Training of Trainers (ToT) program, and mapping digital security services. Location: Palestine (West Bank, including East Jerusalem) and remote. Deadline: 5 March 2026.  

*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.

24 February 2026, Online 

Green Screen Catalyst Fund Grantee Report Launch. Join the Green Screen Coalition for the launch of the report detailing the amazing work of the 18 Catalyst Fund grantees, insights from the last two years, and emerging issues and opportunities for the coming year. Date and time: 24 February 2026, 4:00pm CET / 3:00pm UTC. Learn more and register here.  

25 February 2026, Online 

Refugee Week 2026 Conference. The Refugee Week conference is for anyone who is interested in taking part in Refugee Week, the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions, resilience and creativity of refugees. Date and time: 25 February 2026, 10:30am–1:00pm GMT. Learn more and register here. 

25 February 2026, Online 

Shrinking Civic Space & Marginalized Populations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia – Report Launch. Join the Dalan Fund and community-led regional networks – ECOM, Eurasian Harm Reduction Association, EWNA, and SWAN – for the launch of the first comprehensive regional analysis of shrinking civic space and its impact on marginalized populations across ten EECA countries. Date: 25 February 2026, 10:00am CET. Learn more and register here. 

25 February 2026, Online 

Alliance for Feminist Movements (AFM) Feminist Funding Forecast (FFF). Join the second annual Feminist Funding Forecast to learn about trends within the ecosystem and funding generally, work on a shared analysis of these trends and generate a collective agenda for the way forward. Date and time: 25 February 2026, 2:30 PM CET. Learn more and register. 

26 February 2026, Online 

Using EU SEE Data to Strengthen Civil Society. This webinar explores how EU System for an Enabling Environment (EU SEE) data can be applied in practice to strengthen civil society, featuring examples from across the network’s 86 global partners. The EU SEE network is coordinated by Hivos and includes CIVICUS, Democracy Reporting International, the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), Forus, and Transparency International. Date and time: 26 February 2026, 4:00pm CET. Learn more and register here.  

27 February 2026, Online 

Adolescents and Youth Perspectives on Female Genital Cutting. Hosted by Global Fund for Children, this webinar centres the voices of adolescents and young women advocating for an end to female genital cutting (FGC), highlighting why decisions affecting young people must include their perspectives. Date and time: 27 February 2026, 4:00pm CET. Learn more and register here.