Ariadne's Thread

Dear Ariadne Community,

We hope this month’s Thread finds you well.

We are writing at a time of considerable political and social tension across Europe and beyond. Recent developments in Albania, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, alongside events unfolding elsewhere in the world, offer much food for thought about the challenges facing our societies. Yet amid growing tensions and episodes of violence, there are also reasons for hope: people across generations, including many young people, are coming together, making their voices heard, reminding us of the strength and vitality of civic engagement. These developments also remind us of how closely questions of human rights, social justice and democracy are intertwined. As attention increasingly turns to democratic resilience, these developments invite us to reflect on what makes democracies resilient in the first place: institutions and the rule of law, but also, crucially, the protection of fundamental rights, equality, inclusion and the conditions that allow people to participate fully in democratic life.

These reflections resonate strongly with our work at Ariadne. As a community of human rights and social change funders, they remind us of the importance of keeping human rights at the centre of conversations about democracy and democratic resilience. At a time when institutions and fundamental freedoms are coming under increasing pressure, the two cannot be considered separately: protecting rights is essential to strengthening democracy, just as democratic institutions and civic space are essential to the protection and realisation of rights. This also reinforces the importance of building stronger connections across philanthropy, bringing different perspectives and experiences into conversation. We look forward to continuing this work together, including through our growing focus on resilience in the months ahead.

With these reflections in mind, we would also like to share a few reminders of upcoming opportunities to connect:

• Building Resilience Event and Ariadne Networking Dinner: Our event is now sold out, but a few places remain for the funders’ networking dinner on the 16^th November. If you are in London then, we would be delighted to have you join us for an opportunity to reconnect and continue the conversations. To join the dinner, please reach out to Molly.Mathews@ariadne-network.eu.
• Rule of Law Webinar, 27^th October: Together with Civitates and Philea, we will be hosting a conversation on the rule of law and its implications for philanthropy. We hope you can join us.
• Reconnect 2027, Budapest, 13–15 April: Save the dates for our next annual gathering! We look forward to bringing the Ariadne community together again next spring in a very meaningful place.

As always, thank you for being part of this community. We look forward to continuing these conversations and collective reflections together.

Warm wishes,

Maja Spanu, Director, Ariadne

Together with Calala Fondo de Mujeres, Safe Passage Fund and Migration Exchange (MEX), Ariadne Network have published When Movements Win: Lessons from Spain’s Regularisation Movement for Human Rights Funders. This briefing traces the journey from neighbourhood organising and coalition-building to Spain’s regularisation success story led by Regularización Ya!, and considers the funding choices and relationships that gave the movement room to adapt and persist.

• Ariadne, Civitates and Philea will host a webinar on 27 October from 13:00-14:00 CET where we aim to demystify the European Commission’s rule of law report for the philanthropic community. Learn more and register here.
• Save the date: Ariadne’s 2027 Reconnect – Navigating transitions: interpreting change, strengthening philanthropy will take place from 13-15 April 2027 in Budapest, Hungary together with the Hungarian Women’s Fund. Early bird registration for Ariadne members will open soon.

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

Funders Initiative for Civil Society (FICS) Shifting the Momentum: Reclaiming Civic Space for Climate Mitigation – A Primer for Donors: the briefing, primarily aimed at climate funders, sets out how shrinking civic space is undermining effective climate action, shares the strategies donors are using to counter this trend, and highlights some of the excellent work being done by civil society across the globe.

Civitates Report – The Future of Democracy in Europe: The report is a result of a year-long foresight process led by Civitates which explores several plausible futures for democracy in Europe and outlines concrete recommendations for both civil society and donors to make better decisions today.

Charity Digital Skills Report is the annual barometer of digital and AI trends, funding, and support needs across the sector, including those of marginalised groups. This year a record number of charities took the survey, with 807 responses submitted. One message came out strongly in this year’s report: with 79% of charities now using AI, and greater proportions of organisations using these tools strategically and actively, the sector is changing.

Environmental Funding by European Foundations – Volume 7: This report based on 2024 grants data from 169 of the largest environmental foundations in Europe, analyses the 9,488 environmental grants made in 2024 by these foundations, worth a combined €2.2 billion. It was produced by the European Environmental Funders Group at Philea.

Protecting civil society from restrictive laws A one-stop-shop for democracy defenders by D-Hub and European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL). In this guide you can learn more about restrictive laws (e.g. Foreign Agents Laws), how to defy them and adapt once they are enacted.

Civil Society Europe (CSE) – Democracy Shield – Civil Society Priorities for Its Implementation. This paper aims to propose pathways of implementation for the different initiatives under the Democracy Shield, in order to embrace the multifaceted nature of democracy protection and promotion and the role civil society can play in it. 

The European Union published 2025 Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World. It presents stories about protecting and empowering individuals, building resilient, inclusive and democratic societies, promoting a global system for human rights and democracy, harnessing opportunities and addressing challenges.

DISINFO RADAR – September 2026 edition, “Western Balkans Watch and Warn: War-memory narratives, contested justice and victimhood politics“. This publication is an information service produced by Metamorphosis Foundation in cooperation with partner network including International and Security Affairs Centre (ISAC), Sbunker, Faktoje.al, and Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM).

Evolving Foundation Responses to a Sector in Crisis – Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP): Amid significant shifts in the national context since January 2025, U.S.-based foundations and nonprofits have been reassessing how to best pursue their missions. Recent CEP data has revealed that nonprofit CEOs describe facing both increased demand for services and significant cuts to their funding,

Ford Foundation – Reflections on Democracy: Of, By, and For the People: In this edition of Reflections on Democracy, Lori McGlinchey, Director of Technology and Society at Ford Foundation, reflects how can we ensure fundamental rights are embedded into the design, deployment and governance of AI. 

Opinion – The money is there. The question is why it is not moving, by Aida Riđanović, Director at Solidarna for Philea. This opinion piece opens key questions to help understand the philanthropic landscape and structures preventing the transfer of funds to those that need it most.

Liberties’ new Civic Space Tracker: This article is an introduction to the new unique tool designed to monitor and track legal threats to civic space across the EU.

Essay – Third World Network, A brief history of global AI governance. The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is being driven by a handful of dominant countries and big tech companies with limited democratic accountability. Flagging the limits and dangers of this approach, Anita Gurumurthy and Nandini Chami call for international cooperation to align AI with the collective interests of humanity, not corporate profiteering.

Rethinking resilience: New podcast episode: In this new podcast episode of Rethinking Resilience, TAI’s Eszter Filippinyi and ECNL’s Vanja Skoric bring together civil society leaders from Ukraine, Serbia, Kenya, Brazil, and the global human rights field to reflect on what resilience really means in times of crisis.

Alliance for Feminist Movements – Where to From Here? Taking Stock: Trends, Takeaways, & Actions Impacting Funding Sources for Gender Justice. The resource explores overarching trends across the feminist funding ecosystem, what these shifts mean for what can and should be salvaged, and what needs to be built as we imagine new futures.

People can’t build for the future while they’re fighting fires. In this blog, Gina Crane, former Director of Communications and Learning at Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, shares the challenges organisations face and shares three things she’d like funders to do.

Digital Freedom Fund (DFF) – Ensuring Safe Online Spaces for Children. In this blog you can learn more about the current issues around children’s safety online. To address these issues, DFF will be launching the Children’s Rights Online Hub in early 2027, a cohort consisting of around 30 organisations across Europe, Africa and Latin America working on online children’s rights and safety. If you are interested in joining the Children’s Rights Online Hub, please contact Thomas Vink and Nikita Kekana.

Blog – Giving to climate change mitigation has doubled since 2020 — but critical gaps persist. The sixth edition of ClimateWorks’ analysis on funding trends in climate philanthropy charts a new high-water mark for the field. In 2024, climate giving reached about 2.1% of total philanthropic giving worldwide — exceeding the 2% threshold for the first time on record. In this blog, ClimateWorks’ Surabi Menon examines what’s working, what isn’t, and where funders should focus next.

NPC blog – Funding in a hostile context. In this blog Laura Roling, Director, The Bromley Trust and Hannah Large, Associate, NPC, unpack how charities are experiencing the current landscape, what they most need from funders, and how the Bromley Trust is support their work.

Disability Rights Fund’s Theory of Change & 5-year Strategic Plan (2024-2029): The Fund’s approach draws on the power of organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to demand new rules for accountability amidst a loud rhetoric on equity with little action from philanthropy to resource diverse disability movements in the Global South.

LankellyChase Opinion – Creating space: our decision to dismantle: This is a reflection on the decision to dismantle Lankelly Chase, why it was chosen not simply to spend down or sunset, and what it means to step away from the certainty and power of an institution without knowing exactly what comes next. 

Elemental – From fragmentation to collective power: Learn more about Elemental’s progress toward creating a collaborative fund that will respond to the field’s unwavering need for philanthropy to move from singular, short-term outputs and toward coordinated investment in long-term infrastructure for cultural mindset shifts that promote dignity, equity, and collective well-being. Twelve funders have now joined this opportunity, representing a cross-section of philanthropy.

Urgent Action Fund (UAF) – Constellations of Courage, 2025 Annual Report: In 2025, the UAF made over 500 grants to feminist activists, totaling $3.6 million, in 39 countries. Reflecting the increased threats that their movement partners operate under, 74% of their grants in 2025 were security grants, designed to keep activists safe, rather than opportunity grants that help them advance their agendas using moments of opportunity. 

Safe Passage Fund – Annual report 2024-25: The annual report tells the story of a transformation: from a time-limited crowdfunding campaign, through a moment of reinvention, into a women*-led philanthropic intermediary strengthening a connected movement for belonging, dignity, and inclusion across Europe. In the report period, the Fund redistributed more than 300.000 EUR to grassroots organisations working on migrant justice.

Foundations Commit $25M to Strengthen Nonprofits’ Access to Insurance – A consortium of foundations will provide $25 million in support of Nonprofits Insurance Alliance (NIA), a nonprofit insurance cooperative that serves more than 25,000 nonprofits across the US. The nine foundations providing support are the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The California Endowment, The Kresge Foundation, the Surdna Foundation, the Soros Economic Development Fund, the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, the California Wellness Foundation, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

Trust for London – Grants Manager, Ending the Poverty Premium (Maternity Cover). Trust for London is recruiting a part-time, temporary Grants Manager to lead its Ending the Poverty Premium funding portfolio, which focuses on financial inclusion, debt, and a just energy transition. The role involves stewarding a diverse portfolio of grants supporting community organising, lived-experience research, policy change, and practical solutions to the additional costs faced by people on low incomes. Salary: 60,970 GBP per annum, pro-rated. Location: Central London, United Kingdom (hybrid). Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

Fondation CHANEL – Communications Officer. Fondation CHANEL is recruiting a Communications Officer to support the development and delivery of communications across the Foundation, strengthen internal alignment between global teams, and help establish communications tools and processes. The role includes preparing speeches and briefings for senior leaders, developing internal storytelling, supporting external engagement and events, and communicating the Foundation’s mission to advance gender equality. Location: London, United Kingdom. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.  

Equality Fund – Managing Director. The Managing Director is a senior leadership role with a direct line to the CEO and a broad cross-organisational remit. The role will serve as a trusted partner to the CEO while also taking substantive ownership of the organisational conditions that enable Equality Fund’s strategy to be well executed. Salary: 200,000 CAD. Location: Remote (with occasional travel); CET or EST time zones preferred. Deadline: 23 October 2026.

The Sigrid Rausing Trust – Programme Manager, Open Societies. The Sigrid Rausing Trust is recruiting a Programme Manager for its Open Societies programme, seeking a Russian- or Ukrainian-speaking candidate with experience in freedom of expression, civic participation, and anti-corruption work. Salary: 78,000 – 82,000 GBP. Location: London, UK. Deadline: 25 October 2026.  

Hivos – Roving Project Manager. Hivos is recruiting a Roving Project Manager within the Director’s Office to lead high-priority, cross-functional strategic initiatives on behalf of the CEO and Core Leadership Team. The role involves coordinating organisational transformation, digital transformation, governance improvements, and strategic projects across departments and countries, translating organisational priorities into delivery plans, managing risks, and ensuring accountability and measurable outcomes. Location: Global, across Hivos operating locations. Deadline: 25 October 2026.  

The Bromley Trust – Investment Lead Trustee. The Bromley Trust is recruiting an Investment Lead Trustee with experience managing large-scale, long-term investments to succeed the retiring trustee. The role involves overseeing the Trust’s investment strategy and implementation alongside fellow trustees, while contributing to the charity’s governance and grantmaking. Salary: Voluntary trustee role. Location: United Kingdom. Deadline: 30 October 2026.  

Equality Fund – Global Journalism Fellowship 2026. Equality Fund is launching its inaugural Global Journalism Fellowship to support journalists reporting on local solutions to global crises, with a focus on gender. The six-month programme, followed by up to three months to finalise publication, will support up to five journalists through online learning sessions, safety training, and an in-person convening, with fellows retaining editorial independence and intellectual property rights over their work. Salary: 4,000 CAD $ stipend plus up to 500 CAD $ in reporting expenses. Location: ODA-recipient countries, with journalists expected to report on their own communities. Deadline: 8 November 2026.  

Assifero – Segretario/a Generale (Secretary General). Assifero is seeking a Secretary General to lead the association during its next phase of growth, strengthen its role in Italian institutional philanthropy, and translate strategic priorities into operational plans. The position involves leading the team, managing organisational and financial operations, developing membership and partnerships, representing Assifero with institutions and international networks, and advancing the Italian philanthropic ecosystem. Salary: 75,000 – 90,000 EUR. Location: Italy, preferably Rome or Milan. Deadline: 30 November 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.

26 October 2026, Online 

The Cornell 7: How Can We Turn Our Outrage into Accountability, Solidarity and Safer Societies? This event explores how outrage can be channelled into accountability, solidarity and efforts to build safer societies. Date and time: Monday, 26 October 2026, 3:00–4:30pm GMT. Online. Learn more and register here. 

28-30 October, Barcelona, Spain 

Mozilla Festival 2026. Mozilla Festival, aka MozFest, is three days of bold conversations, hands-on building, and ideas worth traveling for. This year, MozFest is taking over Barcelona’s Recinte Fabra i Coats – a former industrial complex turned cultural powerhouse – from Wednesday, October 28 through Friday, October 30, 2026. They are partnering with the City of Barcelona and taking part in Open Tech Week – a city-wide celebration of the people shaping a better digital world. Date and location: 28-30 October in Barcelona, Spain. Learn more and register here.  

29 October 2026, Online 

Funder Briefing: Democracy’s Immune System Initiative. Organised by the CLIMA Fund, this briefing explores how grassroots climate justice movements strengthen democracy, defend civic space and help sustain climate progress amid rising authoritarianism. The session will highlight opportunities for funders to support movements as essential democratic infrastructure. Date and time: 29 October 2026, 9:00am PT / 12:00pm ET. Online. Learn more and register here. 

03 November 2026, Online 

Shifts in the French Political Landscape: What Are the Challenges and Impacts for the Philanthropic Sector and Foundations? Hosted by the Coalition for Feminist Philanthropy (CPF), this webinar will examine changes in the French political landscape and their implications for philanthropy and foundations. The discussion will be moderated by Alexandra Dethyre of Fondation RAJA-Danièle Marcovici, with contributions from Aline Burn, Nicolas Mitton, Fabrice Ferrier, Pedro Abramovay and Yamani Yansá Hernandez. Date and time: Tuesday, 3 November 2026, 3:00–4:30pm. Online via Zoom, with live French-English interpretation. Learn more and register here. 

03 November 2026, Online 

Influencing Publics & Elites in the Attention Age. In this workshop, Future Narratives Lab will explore a framework for civil society to build more integrated influence strategies, with clear roles for publics, elites and media, and the relationship between each, enabling more efficient and coordinated campaigns and communications, flexible enough to adapt to the rapidly changing attention economy. Date and time: 03 November, 12:30pm BST or 17:30pm BST. Learn more and register here. 

16 November 2026, Online 

Lessons in Leadership and Governance: Risk, Relationships and Realism. Hosted by Uncharitable, this online session features Seyi Akiwowo and Martha Awojobi discussing how organisations can build effective, relationship-centred governance while taking risk seriously. Topics include improving board effectiveness, developing meaningful risk registers, strengthening accountability and creating governance structures that support social justice and organisational change. Date and time: Monday, 16 November 2026, 12:30–2:00pm GMT. Online via Zoom, with captions available. Learn more and register here.