Ariadne's Thread

Dear Ariadne Community, 

We wish you energy, resilience and, as much as possible, moments of joy, as we step into a year that is already marked by profound challenges to international law, human rights, and democratic norms. In this context, we know how demanding it can be to stay engaged, connected, and hopeful. 

Our intention at Ariadne this year is to actively create spaces for conversation, reflection, and coordination – spaces that generate collective energy and enable us to keep thinking and acting together in ways that are relevant and useful given the realities we are all navigating.  

Yesterday, we held a seminar with Neil Datta on anti-rights and anti-democratic movements and strategies. The discussion was sobering, but deeply important in helping us understand the scale, sophistication, and long-term nature of what is unfolding across Europe and beyond. For Ariadne members, the recording is now available in our members’ space. 

As we look ahead, we wanted to highlight our upcoming in-person moments: 

Ariadne’s 2026 Annual Reconnect (14–16 April 2026, Bologna) 
Ariadne will host its Annual Reconnect from 14-16 April in Bologna, Italy, in partnership with Assifero. Early-bird registrations for members are currently open, and we will open registration more widely on 1 February. With the support of our Planning Committee, we are shaping a focused programme that invites us to reflect on the purpose of social change, human rights, and democracy philanthropy in the current context – learning from past experiences and diverse geographies, and thinking together about our ambitions and what we need going forward. You can register here and, if you have any questions or issues, please reach out to Molly Mathews. 

Strategic spaces for navigating change – France and Germany  
We also want to draw the attention of our members and wider community based in Germany and France to upcoming opportunities to join us in dedicated spaces.  

In Paris on 10th February and in Berlin on 17th February, and in close collaboration with our partners, we will bring together philanthropic actors to collectively analyse the dynamics shaping the French and German contexts. Participants will take part in structured exercises to build shared anticipatory capacity and support longer-term strategic thinking, complemented by roundtable discussions focused on key challenges, opportunities, and priorities for philanthropy. These spaces are intended to foster peer exchange, collective sense-making, and strategic alignment. 

For the Paris meeting, we are pleased to be joined by Claire Hédon, the French Ombudswoman, whose participation will enrich the discussion on institutional dynamics, rights protection, and accountability in the current context. 

• Learn more and register for the Paris event.  
• Learn more and register for the Berlin event.

A reminder also that today is the last day to complete Ariadne’s strategy questionnaire for members. Thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to respond. If you have not yet and would like to contribute to shaping Ariadne’s future direction, we warmly encourage you to do so. The network is made by you, and your voices matter deeply. We will share more about the strategy as it develops, including at the Reconnect in April. 

I would also like to warmly thank our colleagues Jana Stardelova and Molly Mathews for compiling this edition of the newsletter as we start the year. It brings together news, reflections, and opportunities from across the network and the wider field, a reminder of the strength and diversity of the Ariadne community. 

Thank you, finally, for your engagement, your solidarity, and your commitment to this community. 

With appreciation, 
Maja Spanu 

We invite you to read this insightful written contribution from Ariadne’s Director of Programmes, Renata Ćuk for the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme at LSE. In “Why We’re Scared to Disagree and Why We Should Do It Anyway“, Renata explores polarisation and reconciliation processes, and shares a few guiding principles for those of us working in human rights and social change.

The next Thread will go out on Thursday 19th February. We would love to hear from you! Please contact us by Tuesday 17th February 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.

Philea Report “New Dialogues for Peace“: This report has been created to encourage philanthropy to use its skills, knowledge, and resources to increase support for those working on the frontlines of violent conflict. It highlights the unique characteristics of philanthropy, new avenues for collaboration and futures thinking as a way to unlock new possibilities. 

ILGA Europe Report “The Power of Data: Addressing LGBTI Homelessness in Europe“: The report highlights hidden homelessness faced by LGBTI people. The cross-country findings show how systemic stigma and economic vulnerability push LGBTI people into hidden homelessness and long-term instability.

Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI) by Global Focus Report “Breaking Points – Digital Attacks on Human Rights Defenders in the Majority World“: A new research report details how human rights defenders are targeted with digital attacks and how digital violence is inseparable from physical threats.

European AI Fund – Funders’ briefing: Digital sovereignty: In their second funders’ briefing paper, the European AI & Society Fund sets out how funders can support civil society to influence digital sovereignty in Europe. With insight from the public interest field, the paper highlights how the debate currently focuses on economic and national security concerns, positioning national tech champions as an alternative. Funders can help build the power of public interest groups to engage in and shape this discussion to leverage the potential this moment offers to seed an alternative vision for AI.

Balkan Civil Society Development Network New Research “The Missing Lens on Gender Equality in the Western Balkans“: The report reveals a critical tension in the Western Balkans’ civic space. While legal guarantees for freedoms exist, organisations working on gender equality, women’s rights, and LGBTIQ+ issues face a significantly more restrictive and hostile environment.

NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) Report “Challenges Facing Charities In Divided Times“: The report explores the impact of rising extremism and social division on the voluntary sector. It shares testimonies from attendees that reveals a serious threat preventing organisations from delivering their core missions safely.

WomenStrong International “A Funder’s Playbook for Women-Led Change“: The Playbook shares insights from women-led, grassroots organisations in 20 countries and lays out six practical principles philanthropists can use to help women-led organisations not just survive, but thrive.

UNESCO “World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development Report“: According to UNESCO’s newly released report, freedom of expression is declining faster today than at any point in the last 12 years. Among the trends explaining this decline are: the backsliding on human rights, the number of attacks against journalists, and the crisis affecting the media’s business model. While there is obvious shrinking space for voices that challenge power and reporting the truth is at a growing risk, in the report you can also find reasons for hope and action.

Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) Article “From Courtrooms to Communities: Why Advocacy Funding Matters More Than Ever“: Access this article to learn about the importance of funding advocacy and other highlights from the conversation with the same title. The article includes further guidance for funders and access to resources.

“The accountability paradox: How more reporting led to less trust in global philanthropy” by Chris Proulx, Humentum for Philea: In this article you can learn how fragmented financial reporting requirements undermine the transparency funders seek from organisations, as well as the way out of this paradox that is offered by the new International Non-Profit Accounting Standard (INPAS), developed by Humentum and CIPFA through the IFR4NPO Project.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation – Arts Fund review: In this blog, Head of Programme – Arts, Shoubhik Bandopadhyay, outlines some of the trends across applications and grants in both rounds of the Arts Fund.

Association for Progressive Communications (APC) – “Beyond the algorithm: Weaponised technologies and human rights under digital siege“: Across conflict zones and fragile democracies, technologies once imagined as tools of empowerment and exploration now serve as instruments of surveillance, repression and even killing. A series of investigations were conducted to explore how technology is weaponised against women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in conflict-affected states of Ethiopia, Kashmir, Pakistan, Sudan and Venezuela.

Tech Policy Press – “How Civil Society Is Fighting to Protect Digital Rights Amid Global Crisis“: As digital repression intensifies worldwide, read this reflection from Mozilla Festival on what it now takes to sustain digital rights work in the face of conflict, climate stress, shrinking civic space, and chronic underfunding.

“If philanthropy wants to serve global communities, it needs to stop speaking English“: In this article for Alliance Magazine, authored by Claudia Yurley Quintero Rolón, you can learn how community leaders from global majority are often left out of global convenings due to language proficiency. The article offers concrete measures that philanthropy actors can implement as a next step towards language justice.

FRIDA Young Feminist Fund “Upending Power: FRIDA’s Reverse Call For Applications“: This article is for all grant-makers curious to learn what is a reverse call for applications and how does it actually work.

Report – “The Collaborative Effect: Grantee Perspectives on How Collaborative Funds Work Best“: Collaborative funds are reshaping philanthropy by pooling resources to drive systemic change. This report Led by Vital Impact, Redstone Strategy Group, and Philanthropy Together, with support from the Hewlett Foundation, shows that when funds center equity, trust, and shared power, they deliver greater movement impact than traditional philanthropy. 

The Charity CEO Podcast: In the latest episode, Co-CEOs, Hayley Roffey and John Hecklinger talk about the incredible impact of Global Fund for Children in funding and supporting young changemakers.

GiveOut “What We Achieved Together: 12 Stories from 2025“:  These 12 stories represent what can be achieved when supporters and grant partners work hand in hand – a global movement united in the belief that LGBTQI people everywhere deserve to live freely and fully.

Andrew Milner for Alliance Magazine writes on “Collective and Collaborative Giving: More than money, more than philanthropy“, the article marks the series launch that focuses on collective and collaborative giving models commissioned by Philanthropy Together. The aim of the article is to sketch out the current state of the field and the opportunities this form of philanthropy offers.

Giving Done Right podcast with Happy Mwende Kinyili, from Mama Cash, on Building a Global, Grassroots Feminist Movement. For donors feeling overwhelmed by massive global needs or the frustrating retrenchments of recent years, Happy offers her own mother’s wisdom: “Don’t try to do everything, do something.” Learn how small actions can have huge impact, why trust-based philanthropy works, and how co-leadership models are reshaping organizations.

Global Greengrants Fund UK – Senior Finance and Operations Administrator. Global Greengrants Fund UK is recruiting a Senior Finance and Operations Administrator to support finance and operations processes, act as a key liaison between finance, grants management, and operations, manage payments and systems, and provide administrative support in a dynamic grantmaking environment. Salary: 42,000 GBP per year. Location: Remote/Hybrid (UK, occasional London office days). Deadline: 16 January 2026.  

Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust – Power and Accountability Committee Member. JRCT is seeking a co-opted member for its Power and Accountability Committee to support grant-making and strategic oversight within its Power and Accountability programme. Salary: 475 GBP day rate (for up to nine days’ work per year) plus expenses. Location: York, United Kingdom (for committee meetings). Deadline: 19 January 2026.   

Joseph Rowntree Foundation – Public Affairs Officer. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is recruiting a Public Affairs Officer to support its Campaigns and Public Affairs Team in shaping and delivering policy influence across issues like social security, work, housing, family and care, and energy. The role involves building relationships with parliamentarians and stakeholders, conducting political monitoring and horizon scanning, contributing to advocacy planning, and supporting policy engagement across organisational teams. Salary: 35,708.40 GBP per year + 6,000 GBP London Weighting. Location: London, United Kingdom (hybrid, 2 days/week in office). Deadline: 19 January 2026.  

Ford Foundation – Special Assistant, Event Strategy and Production. The Ford Foundation is hiring a Special Assistant in its Event Strategy and Production (ESP) team to provide administrative and operational support to the Global Director, assist with the team’s workflows, act as a key liaison across departments, and support event planning and execution. This full-time role involves managing calendars, coordinating logistics, supporting department systems, and helping deliver global events that further the Foundation’s mission. Salary: 103,000 USD per year. Location: New York, United States (hybrid; office presence required). Deadline: 23 January 2026.  

Mozilla Foundation – Mozilla Fellows. The Mozilla Foundation is running its Fellowship Program, a global cohort for changemakers building innovative, people-centered tech projects that demonstrate alternatives to extractive technology and contribute to open, equitable digital futures. Fellows develop a project of their own design, join an international community of practitioners, share knowledge at events and conferences, and amplify impact through shared resources and networks. Salary: 125,000 USD total investment including a 100,000 USD stipend and a 25,000 USD project budget. Location: Global / remote. Deadline: Nominations close 30 January 2026.

GDS Services International Limited (GDSSIL) – Charity Director. GDS Services International Limited (GDSSIL) is hiring a Charity Director to lead its global grant-making programme, managing strategy development, grant operations, evaluation and learning, and staff, while engaging with stakeholders and committees to drive impact across multiple regions including Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, the Pacific, and the Americas. The post requires deep experience in strategic leadership and grant-making, with responsibility for overseeing a small team and ensuring alignment with the organisation’s mission and values. Salary: Starting from 90,000 GBP (based on experience). Location: United Kingdom (hybrid, office in Farnham). Deadline: 2 February 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.

15 January 2026, Online 

Stories for Change Online Festival. An online festival celebrating community philanthropy as part of the Giving for Change programme, which has spent the past five years testing new approaches to strengthening community philanthropy in eight countries. Date: 15 January 2026. Learn more and register here.  

21 January 2026, Online 

Protecting Progress and Power: Reflections on a Year of Change for HIV and Philanthropy. 
Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) invites funders and partners to its first webinar of 2026, an urgent, sector-wide dialogue reflecting on a year of profound change for the HIV response and philanthropy, and how funders can protect progress and power moving forward. Date: 21 January 2026. Online. Learn more and register here.  

27 January 2026, London 

Don’t Be Silenced: Protecting Our Right to Campaign. A conference hosted by Speak Out and Quakers in Britain addressing the existential threat to UK civic space and the right to campaign. Speakers include Asad Rehman, Sonya Sceats, Danny Sriskandarajah, Akiko Hart, Shabna Begum, Paul Parker, and many more. Date and time: 27 January 2026, 9:30am–4:30pm. Location: Friends House, Euston.  Learn more and register here. 

27 January 2026, Online 

Not If, But How: Climate, Movements, and Transformative Change. A four-part learning series hosted by the CLIMA Fund, designed for funders and donors seeking to better understand the climate crisis and how to support effective, grassroots-led solutions across the Global South. The series centres the leadership and wisdom of climate justice movements worldwide. Date: 27 January 2026 (series launch). Learn more and register here. 

28 January 2026, Berlin

From Crisis Mode to Climate Resilience: New Approaches to Dealing with Climate-Related Internal Displacement. Annually, some 48 million people worldwide are displaced by climate events – most of them remain within their own countries. How can humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and peace-building be effectively combined to strengthen local resilience? The Robert Bosch Academy invites you to an evening with insights from scientists, policy-makers, and practitioners. Learn more and register here.

28 January 2026, Online 

Safeguarding in Philanthropy: Launch of research report examining safeguarding in grant-making. Join the webinar to learn about the key findings from a new research examining how funders are approaching safeguarding across the sector. Date and time: 28 January 28, 2026, 10:00 EST / 15:00 GMT / 20:30 IST. Learn more and register here.

4 February 2026, Online 

The Missing Link in Human Rights: How Funders Can Drive Age Equality. Age discrimination remains one of the most overlooked human-rights issues globally. This dialogue will highlight why funders are essential to advancing age equality and to building momentum for a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. Date and time: 4 February 2026, 3:00 PM CET. Learn more and register here.