Ariadne News & Events

Webinars:

21 March: Artificial Intelligence’s implications for political advertising and campaigns in this record year for elections and beyond:
The European AI & Society Fund in cooperation with Ariadne Network is pleased to invite you to the next Funders’ learning lunch with Who Targets Me on Artificial Intelligence’s implications for political advertising and campaigns in this record year for elections and beyond. The event will take place on Thursday 21 March at 15:00 CET via Zoom. To attend, please register here.

10 April: What the new European Artificial Intelligence Act will (and won’t) deliver for people and society?
The European AI & Society Fund in cooperation with Ariadne Network is pleased to invite you to the Funders’ learning lunch with the Irish Council on Civil Liberties who will talk us through the European AI Act, what civil society achieved in the regulation to increase accountability and to protect human rights, and what can we expect after the AI Act is adopted. The event will take place on Wednesday 10 April at 14:00 CET via Zoom. To attend, please register here.

New to Ariadne’s Community Hub? Take a look at our guide or email jana.stardelova@ariadne-network.eu to schedule a demo. Log in or sign up to join the diverse communities, connect and collaborate with other funders on Ariadne’s Community Hub!

Blogs:

The Other Foundation: Embodying the Human Rights Grantmaking Principles: Read the latest piece in our Human Rights Grantmaking Principles blog series, where we share stories from funders and others about what practicing the principles looks like and leads to resourcing human rights movements. The Human Rights Grantmaking Principles blog series is produced in collaboration with HRFN and Gender Funders CoLab.
Have a story to share? Contact us at ariadneoffice@ariadne-network.eu

Article: How Flexible Funding for Women’s Funds Can Shift the Paradigm: In this article, for the Center for Effective Philanthropy, Aminah Jasho writes about flexible funding through the prism of women’s funds. In the article, you can find examples from the Funding for Real Change initiative. Access it here.

All these resources and more can be found on Ariadne’s website and Member-only Community Hub.

New Research, Articles and Judgements

Paul Hamlyn: Beyond Access and Participation: Over the last year, the arts team at Paul Hamlyn Foundation have been working with their learning partners to look afresh at their funding and to consider what kind of cultural sector would support a just society. In this blog, Shoubhik Bandopadhyay, the Head of Programme – Arts, outlines a vision for what a more regenerative and expansive cultural sector might look like, one that is part of a bigger story of justice and human creativity. Read the blog here.

Systemic Justice – Community Toolkit for Change: How can communities and movements use the courts for their causes and campaigns? Systemic Justice has designed a series of resources to help answer this question and build the knowledge and power of communities and movements fighting for justice. Download the toolkit.

Omidyar – “Our Vision for a Responsible Tech Future”: Download and read “Our Vision for a Responsible Tech Future” (and executive summary) to learn why democracy and society should drive digital tech (not the other way around), the six core elements to a healthy tech system, and philanthropy’s role in reimagining and future-proofing the system for healthy outcomes.

ILGA Europe: Annual Review 2024 reports alarming surge in transphobic speech across Europe: the 13th Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of LGBTI People in Europe and Central Asia alarmingly shows a stark rise in anti-LGBTI, and in particular, transphobic statements from politicians across Europe, sparking concern for the EU Elections next June. Read more and download your own copy of the report.

Semia Feminist Fund: An exciting development in the field of feminist research and activism, “The Italian Feminist Movement, Data, Challenges, and Sustainability” marks a significant milestone by providing the first-ever snapshot of the Italian feminist landscape. It explores the diverse range of formal and informal organisations working tirelessly to advance the social, political, and legal rights of women, trans and non-binary people in Italy.

End Violence Against Women Coalition: The End Violence Against Women Coalition has published a new snapshot report highlighting how the foundations of what’s needed to tackle violence against women and girls are crumbling.  They also share their joint manifesto, making the case for a comprehensive, whole-society approach to tackling violence against women and girls.

VOICE & HIAS: Still waiting for the sky to close: Women’s organizations at the frontline of the Ukrainian crisis two years on. Regional assessment report two years on: In partnership with HIAS, VOICE has released a new report that demonstrates the pressure that inadequate funding and support have placed on numerous women’s rights organisations. These organisations are concerned whether they can ensure continuous support not only to those who have been displaced by the war but also to women and vulnerable populations in their local communities.

New EU directive sets standards for protecting public watchdogs against abusive litigation: On 27 February, the European Parliament adopted a directive about strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) which would protect journalists and human rights defenders (including LGBTI) from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings. The Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) says that the directive sets the minimum standards and the EU Member States should now go further for protecting public watchdogs against abusive litigation in the form of SLAPPs. Read more.

Blogs and Other Sites of Interest

Digital Freedom Fund’s (DFF) Journey to a New Leadership Model: After months of hard work and shared vision, DFF announces a remarkable shift. They have decided to move from a traditional single-director model to an innovative distributed leadership approach. The guiding principle is to focus on the communities they serve and put them at the centre of the Fund’s mission. Read about the leadership journey here.

The Sexual Violence Research Podcast: Episode 1 – Making just and inclusive systems for change: Creating just and inclusive systems for change requires more funding for research, and for that funding to support the communities at the very frontline of violence. In this episode, the host Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, SVRI speaks to Varja Lipovsek, Director of Learning, Measurement and Evaluation at global philanthropic collaborative Co-Impact and Duncan Green, Senior Strategic Adviser at Oxfam GB, Professor in Practice in International Development at LSE and Author of How Change Happens. We learn about Co-Impact’s radical new approach to philanthropy in disrupting and challenging existing power structures and the need to develop capacity for local fundraising and altruism.  The podcast can be found on the major podcast platforms as well as at svri.org.

Philanthropy’s Role in Narrative Power Building: Grantmakers in the Arts recently published an article by Mandy Van Deven that defines key terms and provides an accessible analysis of the narrative change field, and invites funders to adopt practices that will strengthen the narrative infrastructure of global justice movements.

Podcast: Tea with Mama Cash: Sex workers’ rights matter: For the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, Mama Cash invited two sex workers’ rights activists to join the podcast: Velvet December, Advocacy Coordinator for Dutch sex workers’ union PROUD, and Vera Rodriguez, Programme Associate at international fund for sex workers’ rights activists the Red Umbrella Fund. You also hear from their grantee-partners the English Collective of Prostitutes about their Make All Women Safe campaign.

Médecins Sans Frontières: Death, Despair and Destitution: The human costs of the EU’s migration policies: New MSF report details systematic brutality and denial of safety to refugees and migrants. The report is drawn from first-hand accounts from medical staff and patients, over 20,000 medical, mental health and emergency consultations at EU borders, and more than 8,400 people rescued at sea.

Both ENDS: International Women’s Day 2024: Around the world women are powerful agents of change. Both ENDS presents the voices of the next generation of environmental leaders of the JWH initiative. Their grantees are driving change in the environmental sector and have a strong say about the inclusive world. They are catalysts for change within their communities and the environmental sector, each with an inspiring story illustrating what an inclusive world can look like. Listen to their message here.

Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights: Protecting the Defenders: Ending repression of human rights defenders assisting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Europe: The Recommendation gives an overview of the challenges faced by human rights defenders and sets out the steps Council of Europe member states should take to protect them.

BRIDGES – Assessing the production and impact of migration narratives: This publication brings together the main research findings, outputs and lessons learnt of the BRIDGES project. It explores why certain narratives become dominant over others, as well as their impact on individuals and on the political debate and policymaking, drawing from the research conducted over three years in 6 European countries.

Grant-Making

Opinion: Achieving gender equality through collective and targeted funding: Marion Schaefer of Fondation CHANEL and Jennifer Clarke of Bodossaki Foundation co-authored this written contribution for Philea in which they share the story about the coming together of the first pooled fund to support gender equality and women’s rights in Europe – the Alliance for Gender Equality in Europe.

Global Fund for Children’s 2022-2023 Annual Report: You can learn more about how the Global Fund for Children is influencing the funding ecosystem with pioneering changes to ensure grassroots organisations get the flexible support they need, their commitment to creating more opportunities for young people to lead change, annual partner awards, and donor highlights.

The Astraea Foundation’s 10-year Strategic Vision: In the face of an increasingly challenging environment, Astraea believes that community-driven funding, diverse and empowered advocacy, and an organisational culture based in sustainability, innovation, and values will guide us towards liberation. Access the strategic vision here.

Paul Hamlyn: Backbone Fund: Paul Hamlyn took time to examine the role of their Backbone Fund and what contribution they would like it to make. They have taken a closer look at how their processes can be more transparent and how to ensure the decision-making is based on principles of equity and justice. Learn more about how they work on redesigning the fund and about the Backbone cohort 2024.

EPIM Annual Report: The 2023 Report provides a snapshot of EPIM’s (European Programme for Integration and Migration) key activities and figures from the past year and highlights impact stories, projects, and learning from partners across Europe. It also looks to the road ahead for the collaborative and reflects on their new Pathway to Change.

Global Fund for Women: Show me the Money: Feminist Stories on Shifting Power and Resources to Movements: As the end of the first year of implementing the Feminist Accountability Framework approaches, Global Fund for Women offers this updated report with stories from over 110 feminist actors from Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa to amplify the often unheard voices of grassroots feminist organisations on the impact of funding to movements. Available in English, Español, Français & Português.

Article: Beyond the Rhetoric: Why Donors Need to Match Talk with Action When It Comes to Unrestricted Funding: This group of peer fundraisers from a diverse set of global human rights funds (Fund for Global Human Rights, Global Greengrants Fund, Urgent Action Sister Funds, Disability Rights Fund) are raising their voices and leveraging their unique perspectives — as grantmakers and grant seekers with strong ties to both grassroots activists and large donors — to illustrate how restricted funding negatively impacts both the movements they support and organisations they work for. Read more.

Research: Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published research on the value and potential of pooled funds, exploring what this means in terms of shifting power as well as the opportunities and challenges created. Read more.

Jobs and Opportunities

Kering Foundation – Communication Manager (EN/FR). The Kering Foundation is seeking a Communication Manager with a strong background in global communications who wishes to actively contribute to the development and influence of our commitment to the fight against gender-based violence and child protection. Reporting to the Executive Director of the Kering Foundation, the Communication Manager will embark the Foundation’s communication on a new path by designing and implementing a strategy that highlights both its expertise and its positioning. Location: Paris, France. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Global Fund for Women – Vice President, Development & Co-Lead, Global Partnerships. The VP of Development is part of the Executive Team that drives Global Fund for Women’s strategy to centre movements and shift power. Together with the VP of Programs, the VP of Development co-leads the Global Partnerships Team, which mobilises and deploys resources in response to movements’ needs through diverse initiatives and partnerships worldwide. In partnership with the CEO, this position is responsible for the organisation’s fundraising and development activities, providing strategic leadership to meet the organisation’s annual fundraising goals and overseeing the direction and management of Global Fund for Women’s efforts to raise funds to meet movements’ needs. Salary: $160,000 – $248,000. Location: United States, Remote. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Ford Foundation – International Security, Safety and Risk Mitigation Manager. The Office of the Deputy Chief Operating Officer is hiring an International Security, Safety and Risk Mitigation Manager that will be based in the New York office. The International Security, Safety and Risk Mitigation Manager will work with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to develop and implement a global security and risk mitigation framework that fosters a culture of safety awareness and risk mitigation. Salary: $109,000 – $127,000. Location: NYC, USA. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Ford Foundation – Impact Investing Fellow. The Ford Foundation Fellowship in Impact Investing permits a Fellow to spend a year in residence with the Ford Foundation’s Mission Investments team in New York, working with the team to conduct investment fund manager due diligence; prepare presentations and investment committee materials; draft articles, papers, and reports; evaluate trends in the impact investment landscape; research opportunities in the philanthropic sector to expand the impact investing field; and provide general portfolio and project management support. Salary: $84,000 and the maximum is $97,000. Location: NYC, USA. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The Plastic Solutions Fund – European Philanthropic Partner Specialist. We hope that at least 3 European based philanthropies will have joined the PSF as Participating Foundations and a further 5 will be providing aligned funding to our European civil society partners. However we understand that the European philanthropic environment is different to the US, and we expect the successful consultant to help us shape the PSF’s ‘offer’ to philanthropy in Europe appropriately. Success indicators for this work will be developed accordingly. The successful consultant will work closely with the Executive Director, who expects to be directly involved in the relationship development. Location: Remote. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Trust for London – Trustees: Trustees play a critical role in the work of the Trust for London. They set the strategy of the organisation and ensure that the endowment is used effectively. The Trust is looking for three new trustees to help them on the next stage of their journey. Candidates with experience in human resources and diversity, equity and inclusion, charity finance, and social investment are invited to apply. These roles cover: HR, diversity, equity and inclusion and Charity finance. Salary: All reasonable travel and subsistence expenses relating to Trust for London duties and responsibilities will be reimbursed in full. Location: London, UK. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Media Defence – Grants Officer. Media Defence is seeking a dynamic individual to administer grants, assess applications, and support journalists facing legal challenges. Salary: £34,000 – £40,000 per year. Location: London, Greater London (On-site). Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Luminate – Associate, Global Programmes. The Associate for Global Programmes will contribute to Luminate’s global work on information ecosystems, exploring how Luminate can fund global and transregional organisations and initiatives to build healthier media ecosystems and support constructive public debate. A key part of this role will also be to work with Luminate’s regional teams in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and to collaborate with other programmatic and functional teams. Location: London, UK. Deadline for applications is 24 March 2024.

Robert Bosch Stiftung – Consultant. Robert Bosch Stiftung is looking for a consultant or a team of consultants to support the development and implementation of a call for applications within its funding area “Inequalities” from May 2024 through March/April 2025. The call will be focused on the subject area of economic justice. A more precise focus will be developed in cooperation with the foundation and an external jury. Deadline for applications is 02 April 2024. 

Opportunity: New course with the Open University on how to support local conflict transformation”. Foundations For Peace Network (FFPN) are excited to announce the launch of the online course “Influencing Up- How to support local conflict transformation”! Influencing Up! Is an introductory free online course, in partnership with the Open University, that draws from the experience of locally based funders, and is designed for philanthropic funders, grant-makers, programme managers and practitioners who are interested in supporting meaningful and sustainable peacebuilding and social justice. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to the organisers at infoffpn@gmail.com

CEECCNA Collaborative Fund: Calling for applications and nominations for Participatory Decision-making Committee: Find more about the dimensions of the advisory role in the Terms of Reference here (Terms of Reference), spread the word in your networks, or nominate others by March 22nd. In English and Russian.

Various roles – American Jewish World Service (AJWS)
Various roles – Fondation de France
Various roles – Ford Foundation

*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.

Events

Online

25-28 March

A Week of Stigma-Busting Events. From March 25 to 28, abortion justice collectives, organisations, and artists are coming together in different ways to host spaces that transform abortion narratives and practices! Date: 25-28 March. Register here.

27 March 2024

What it means to be human in a world changed by AI. In this LSE Data Science Institute talk, Madhumita Murgia will discuss her new book Code Dependent, which sets out just how profoundly automated systems are reshaping our lives all over the world, and how AI is changing our relationships with institutions, communities and each other.  Date & time: 27 March, 18:30 to 20:00 GMT. Register here.

18 April

Global Fund for Human Rights: ‘A Conversation on Climate Justice’. Indigenous activists in Central America are on the front lines of climate justice, but often face threats and violence. The Global Fund for Human Rights is organising a live conversation with two long-time grantee partners who are courageously defending the environment and human rights. Participants: Communities for Integrated Development of the Ch’orti Region (Asociación Coordinadora de Asociaciones y Comunidades para el Desarollo Integral de la Región Ch’orti)—a grassroots group fighting for Indigenous peoples’ land rights and sustainable development in Guatemala; Black Fraternal Organization of Honduras (Organización Fraternal Negra Hondureña)—an organisation protecting the environment and rights of the Afro-Indigenous Garifuna community in Honduras. Date & time: 18 April, 15:00 ET. Location: Zoom: Register here.

Online

5 July

Launch new guidelines on the temporary relocation of human rights defenders within universities. The UNESCO Chair in the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Expansion of Political Space at the Centre for Applied Human Rights, University of York, will launch new guidelines on the temporary relocation of human rights defenders within universities on Friday 5 July. The Chair is currently working to co-create these guidelines with universities across the world who offer temporary relocation to HRDs / activists at risk, and those interested in doing such work, as well as those who host HRDs in other ways, e.g. as staff or students. Date & time: 5 July, 10:00 to 16:30 CET. Register here.

London, UK

16 April

Exploring the Intersections: Climate Change, Displacement and Civic Space. PILnet is pleased to announce a meeting of legal professionals and NGOs interested in pro bono and the intersections of climate change, displacement, and civic space. Climate change and large-scale displacement are defining issues of our time, intricately linked in their impact on communities worldwide. This event delves into how these two urgent challenges are connected while highlighting the pivotal role of civil society in developing sustainable, community-led solutions. How can pro bono lawyers effectively respond to these global crises in partnership with civil society? Date & time: 16 April, 13:00 to 18:30 GMT. Location: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP, 22 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4BQ, UK. Register here.