Ariadne's Thread

A New Chapter at Ariadne – a letter from Maja Spanu, our new Director – we invite you to read the letter to our community with Maja’s reflections on European Philanthropy and vision for Ariadne’s role in the current context. Access the letter here.

Upcoming event

European Tech and Society Funders Annual Meeting 2025 – 21-22 October, Brussels.

The European Tech and Society Funders Meeting is an in-person gathering focused on fostering partnerships, knowledge sharing, and driving collaborative efforts to advance the intersection of technology and society. The event is co-hosted by Ariadne and Aspiration. Learn more and register. Please note this is a funders-only event.

Ariadne’s 2026 Reconnect: Please mark 14-16 April 2026 in your calendars and stay tuned for the location announcement.

Invitation Funders’ Briefing: AI & tech sovereignty – 13 November at 2pm CET. 

For our last convening of the year, we will discuss AI & tech sovereignty in Europe. The digital technologies shaping our democracies, economies and public services are dominated by a handful of mainly US providers, often operating in ways that are opaque, extractive, and misaligned with European values and economic interests. 

We will be joined by:

• Katarzyna Szymielewicz is a lawyer, activist, and publicist. Co-founder and President of the Panoptykon Foundation, the only NGO in Poland tackling human rights and new technologies.
• Max von Thun is the Director of Europe & Transatlantic Partnerships at the Open Markets Institute. He leads Open Markets’ research and advocacy in Europe alongside efforts to bring about greater alignment in transatlantic anti-monopoly policy and enforcement.

Hosted by the European AI & Society Fund (EAISF), in collaboration with the Ariadne Network.

Past event: The 2025 Grant Skills Day is now behind us and despite the challenging times we are living in, it left us energised and hopeful as we came together in London.  To learn more about the event, we invite you to have a look at our LinkedIn post.

Green Screen Coalition – Report Launch

“AI and Climate Change: The Global South Facing the New Geopolitics of Innovation“, written by Lori Regattieri and jointly launched by Plataforma CIPÓ and the Green Screen Coalition. The report shows that artificial intelligence and climate change do not move on separate tracks but are already co-constituted in infrastructures, energy and financial regimes. The narrative of transition often obscures how fossil dependence is not being overcome but layered with new forms of extraction, intensifying pressures on minerals, water and territories.

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.

The next Thread will go out on Thursday 20th November. We would love to hear from you! Please contact us by Tuesday 18th November if you would like to share announcements, events, or resources for the next issue. 

European Center for Not-for-Profit Law – Learning Resource “How to Use EU Law to Enforce Your Rights”. This resource provides a practical, step-by-step approach for organizations facing unlawful or limiting measures, clarifying legal avenues at both the national and EU levels. 

Right Relations Collaborative – “Reciprocity Report 2025”. The 2025 reciprocity report includes stories about the Collaborative’s learning and impact, good words from their Indigenous Partners and Funder Partners, and offerings to help you deepen your own relationships and practices.

Democracy & Belonging Forum and Over Zero – (En)Gendering Authoritarianism project. This project explores how authoritarian movements leverage and weaponize gender to divide society and opposition movements, launder and normalize social hierarchies, reshape cultural norms, and lay the groundwork for authoritarian power consolidation and violence.

ENAR policy brief “The New Anti-Racism Strategy: A Defining Moment for Europe’s Future“. The brief calls for:

• Grounding anti-racism in international human rights standards.
• Recognising colonial legacies and reparative justice.
• Ensuring racialised communities participation in the policymaking processes.

D Hub – New Publication “Lessons from Poland’s 2025 Election”. The latest publication breaks down Poland’s 2025 presidential election – a narrow defeat for pro-democracy forces that offers crucial lessons for campaigners and organizers worldwide.

Urgent Action Fund and Women Enabled International interactive report “Activists From Strength: What You Need to Know to Be a Disability and Gender-Inclusive Funder”. The report shares learnings from more than 35 activists and organisations fighting for gender and disability justice in 10 countries across Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Now available in Arabic, Russian, and English, the report identifies the key challenges facing activists who work at the intersection of gender and disability. 

Civitates report “Beyond the Headlines – The compelling case for more philanthropic funding for independent media”. Beyond the Headlines carefully assesses the scale and nature of the problem, and makes a compelling case for why philanthropic funders are uniquely positioned to step into the breach, and provide the long-term, financial and moral support that’s crucial to strengthen media business models, produce high-quality journalism accessible to a wider audience, and protect independent reporters in the face of mounting pressures.

Astraea Foundation’s new report “Seeds, Territories, and Resistance” in Abya Yala shares in-depth perspectives from LBTQI+ activists across 18 countries: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina. Authored by independent researchers, the report shares activists’ stories, including their struggles, contexts, foundations, stakes, and ways of feeling and positioning themselves. Get a look inside with our publicly available executive summary and one page overview in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. 

Guidelines on the Right to Peaceful Environmental Protest and Civil Disobedience by Michel Forst, UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention: The Guidelines provide both guiding and operational principles to assist Aarhus Parties and other UN Member States in protecting environmental defenders who engage in peaceful protest, including civil disobedience. 

“From dictatorship to democracy: Why equity-based governance is the future”, Adriana Craciun, Senior Adviser for Organisational Strengthening and Effectiveness at Oak Foundation, writes for Philea.

What assumptions have we inherited that limit the transformative potential of philanthropy? And how can funders release ourselves from the constraints of these limiting beliefs? In this episode of the Grantmakers in the Arts podcast, Zaineb Mohammed (Kataly Foundation), Erin Williams (Constellations Culture Change Fund), and Mandy Van Deven (Elemental) explore what becomes possible when we shift the narrative of philanthropy from scarcity to abundance, from rigid structure to iterative practice, and from donor darlings to a flourishing ecosystem. 

Hivos project in Palestine defends civic space with four local partners:  Each organisation brings a unique lens to the work of civic space monitoring, from digital rights to grassroots mobilisation and policy reform. Together, they enable a many-sided analysis and response to the restrictions Palestinian civil society faces today.

“Community-Led Activism Is Saving Land—and Lives”, story by the Fund for Global Human Rights: “Around the world, developers are buying up land and bulldozing ecosystems that have sustained local people for centuries. But activists and affected communities are working together to defend their land and livelihoods—and it’s working”.

Technology Against Genocide by Marianne Dhenin for the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR). The Tech for Palestine business incubator is dedicated to strengthening pro-human rights projects within the technology industry, starting with the rights of Palestinians.

Rethinking Inclusion and Belonging in Central and Eastern Europe: A Conversation with Lisa Marie Veyhl, Robert Bosch Foundation, for EPIM. In this conversation, Lisa Veyhl reflects on why belonging must be reimagined as a democratic imperative, and how collaborative philanthropy can strengthen inclusive futures across Central and Eastern Europe.

Robert Bosch Stiftung – Diversity Barometer 2025: Robert Bosch Stiftung expert Ferdinand Mirbach assesses the key findings of the Diversity Barometer 2025 – and also outlines what can be done to promote social cohesion.

“We’re in survival mode”: Women human rights defenders on digital repression and movement sustainability, authored by Hija Kamran, from Association for Progressive Communications (APC). Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) have long been central to struggles for justice, democracy and freedom – and yet they are systematically targeted and under-resourced. This contradiction was the focus of APC’s Safety for Voices webinar, which brought together WHRDs, feminist organisers, researchers and digital rights advocates from Asia, Latin America, Southwest Asia and North Africa.

Both ENDS Annual Report 2024: To achieve its vision of a sustainable, fair and inclusive world, Both ENDS works to empower civil society, to change the system so it prioritises people and the planet, and to support transformative practices. This annual report features some of their best stories from 2024, which together show the broad variety of achievements along each one of the three pathways – Strong civil society, Systemic change and Transformative practices.

The Women’s Philanthropy Institute has released “Women and Philanthropy: A Literature Review“. This updated literature review builds on the foundation of the 2015 review while incorporating significant developments in the research and practice of philanthropy. It brings together the latest evidence on women’s giving and volunteering; explores how social, political, and economic events have shaped women’s philanthropy; and integrates new areas of inquiry such as gender and nonprofit leadership. 

Center for Effective Philanthropy – “Preserving and Rebuilding Public Data Systems: A Framework for Funders” by Karuna Sridharan Chibber, Evaluation and Learning Officer, Families and Communities, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The author gives insight into the relevance of publicly available data for philanthropic work, and the implications of their alteration and removal, as well as an insight into the ways to move forward.

Global Fund for Children (GFC) – Global Impact Study (GIS): The recently conducted study aimed to assess GFC’s impact on partner organisations and the children and communities they serve worldwide. The study found that through the flexible funding, non-financial support, and trusting relationship that GFC provides partner organisations, GFC contributes to their growth and sustainability.

Fund for Global Human Rights – “Powering Change: Strengthening Our Strategy and Identity“: Recognising the uncertain road ahead and acknowledging that change is necessary, together with grantees, donors, peers, and staff, the Fund reshaped their strategy, ways of working and brand identity to meet the moment. 

Ford Foundation – The Forest Tenure Funders Group has exceeded its $1.7 billion commitment to support Indigenous and collective land rights. Over four years, the Ford Foundation, partner governments, and philanthropies have shown what is possible when stakeholders collaborate on climate and nature protection. As COP30 approaches, this milestone seeks to inspire greater global ambition and reinforce the vital role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in climate and nature efforts.

Alliance Magazine – “Philanthropy’s climate shift: How a UK pledge sparked a global movement“, by Malika Akestour. The Funder Commitment on Climate Change, hosted by the Association of Charitable Foundations, has led a global initiative. Nearly 900 foundations in 27 countries have pledged to integrate climate considerations into their work, demonstrating the impact of collective action.

Comic Relief – Head of Communications and Brand Marketing. As the Head of Communications and Brand Marketing, you’ll join Comic Relief’s Fundraising and Communications department in leading the re-imagination of Comic Relief’s external consumer positioning, working across our organisation to position Comic Relief as a relevant; future facing organisation, inspiring joyful generosity to create a just world free from poverty. Salary: 60,642 – 66,093 GBP. Location: London, UK. Application deadline: 26 October.  

Thousand Currents – Major Gifts Manager. Thousand Currents seeks a highly experienced and results-driven Major Gifts Manager to lead an individual donor portfolio and support our efforts in securing transformative philanthropic support. You will have significant experience securing 6+ figure gifts, building authentic relationships with a diverse portfolio of high-net-wealth individuals, and a network of philanthropic connections. Salary: 97,000 USD. Location: Remote, USA. Application deadline: 27 October. 

Baring Foundation – Tender for research. Baring is looking to commission researcher/s to research and write a practical and inspiring report on diversifying income for participatory arts organisations working with people with mental health problems. Payment: maximum of 10,000 GBP, including VAT and expenses. Application deadline: 31 October. 

LEF – Grants & Learning Committee External Members. LEF is expanding its Grants & Learning Committee by recruiting three paid external members with lived and learned experience in Disability Justice, Racial Justice, or Grassroots Community Campaigning to join three LEF trustees. These new members will help shape grant-making decisions, strengthen accountability, and influence progressive funding as the organisation begins delivering its 2025–2030 strategy. Application deadline: 03 November. 

Oak Foundation – Programme Officer, Issues Affecting Women Programme. Oak Foundation are currently recruiting a Programme Officer to manage a portfolio of grants and contribute to the implementation of the IAWP grant-making strategy. Location: London, England. Compensation: Approx 59,000 GBP. Application deadline: 09 November. 

*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.

17 October, Keswick, UK.  

Anti Racist Summit 2025. Nearly 400 people will come together in an inspiring space for connections, taking action, healing, creating, continuing their education and most importantly, moving the anti-racism conversations and actions forward. Learn more and register here. 

23 October, Online 

Philanthropy, Raise the Bar. Organized by Funders4Palestine and Funding Freedom, the call will address philanthropy’s complicity in genocide and systemic violence, and lift up concrete practices that support deeper accountability: strategies for divesting from harm, investing in the life-giving work of Palestinian-led organizations, and organizing collectively across the sector to align our resources and practices with our commitments to justice and liberation. Date and time: 23 October, 4:00 – 5:30pm UTC. Learn more and register here.  

30 October, Online  

Building the new: Reimagining civil society resourcing in times of global transformation. Across the world — from Palestine to India, Serbia to Indonesia — communities are reviving traditions and inventing new ways to endure, resist, and thrive, reminding us that liberation cannot be outsourced. This global, peer-led conversation will explore how solidarity-based resourcing can help communities reclaim agency and build alternative models of care, dignity, and collaboration. Date and time: 30 October, 11:00 – 12:00 CET. Learn more and register here. 

03 November, London , UK

White Gold – Documentary Screening and Reception: Join Global Witness for the London premiere of the documentary White Gold, which tracks the human cost of the scramble for lithium. The viewing will be followed by a panel discussion with Global Witness Director of Campaigns Shruti Suresh; Global Witness Head of Policy and EU Relations for Transition Minerals Emily Iona Stewart; moderated by journalist Kirsty Lang. Date and time: 3 November, 6 – 9:30pm GMT. Learn more and register here. 

03 November, Online  

From Judgments to Justice: Human Rights Bodies vs. Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists: Join Media Defence for a global discussion on how regional courts and UN mechanisms can combat impunity for crimes against journalists. Timed around the International Day to End Impunity, experts from four regions will share strategies and lessons for strengthening justice and journalist protection worldwide. Date and time: 03 November, 14:00 – 15:30 GMT / 15:00 – 16:30 CET / 09:00 – 10:30 EST. Learn more and register here.   

06 November, Berlin, Germany 

What Holds Our Society Together: Trust, Solidarity, and Health as Foundations for Resilience and Democracy: In times of global crises and growing polarization, one central question comes into focus: What forces stabilize our communities – today and in the future? The evening event of the Robert Bosch Center for Innovation in Healthcare at the BHC highlights the special role of older people as transmitters of values and active contributors in families, volunteer work, and civil society. Date and time: November 6, 5:30 – 8:00pm CET. Learn more and register here. 

06 November, Barcelona, Spain  

Funder Summit at Mozilla Festival 2026. Building on the Festival’s theme of ’Unlearning’ — the gathering aims to reconsider traditional funding approaches at this challenging moment for the field and for civil society broadly. What established norms need to be “unlearned” by funders to create better futures? How can openness and transparency in philanthropy serve as an antidote to the increasing opacity around us? Date: 06 November. Learn more and register.   

12 November, Online 

Funding Advocacy to Protect HIV Responses. Advocacy is one of the most underfunded areas of HIV philanthropy—yet essential to defending rights and sustaining progress. This FCAA webinar will be moderated by Marvell L. Terry II (FCAA) and features S. Mandisa Moore O’Neal (CHLP), Mitchell Warren (AVAC), and Edwin J. Bernard (HIV Justice Network) in conversation on why philanthropy must prioritize bold, intersectional advocacy strategies to safeguard rights and sustain progress. Registration is limited to representatives and funding and PSO organizations. Date and time: 12 November, 10:00 –11:30am EST/16:00 – 17:30 CET. Learn more and register here. 

20 November, Online 

Virtual Launch of the Mixed Migration Review 2025. This year’s Mixed Migration Review (MMR 2025) examines how migration dynamics are reshaping in response to a context of intensified geopolitical turmoil. Date and time: 20 November, 2pm – 3:30pm CET. Learn more and register.