🎙️ What does it mean for civil society when a major funder like USAID shuts down its ...programs?

Our Co-CEO, Blair Glencorse, joined the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast to dig into what our latest research, based on feedback from 800+ NGOs, reveals about the real-time effects of this shift.

The conversation explores:
🔍 The financial strain many organizations are now facing
🔍 How the sector has become structurally dependent on aid
🔍 Why we need new approaches to resilience and sustainability

🔗 Listen to the interview here: https://bit.ly/45raS2f
📄 And view the full report: https://bit.ly/43bSFV2

Thanks to Collective Responsibility for creating space for this critical conversation.

Measuring the Impact of USAID's Closure | Blair Glencorse

In this episode of the Sustainable Ambassador Podcast, we speak with Blair Glencorse, founder and co-CEO of the Accountability Lab, about their...

bit.ly

✊ Strengthening participation for inclusive policy reform

In Zimbabwe, civic action is ...making waves. @Tsepang Mike Nare, Accountability Lab Zimbabwe's 2024 Accountapreneur, and Nokutenda Muzuva from Chitungwiza recently supported persons with disabilities (PWDs) in petitioning Parliament for a more inclusive and responsive disability law.

Described as a “historic and emotional moment,” this step reflects the power of the collective voice and the importance of making sure every citizen is heard in decision-making spaces.

🔗 Read more about the petition: https://bit.ly/4jNbxiS

#DisabilityRights #CitizenAction #PublicParticipation

PWDs petition Parliament, demand inclusive and progressive disability law - CITEZW

Representatives of persons with disabilities and allied civil society organisations gathered at the Parliament of Zimbabwe in Harare on Monday to...

cite.org.zw

📢 Before the stop-work orders issued earlier this year, strategic partnerships or mergers ...typically took 1 to 2 years. However, hundreds of organizations are now having to fast-track this process to avoid losing critical institutional knowledge, expertise, and assets.

Even with tightened timelines, it remains essential to present a strong, compelling case for why a merger or transition benefits both your organization and the potential partner. A focused pitch that captures a shared vision for long-term success is key to achieving this.

Defining your approach and refining your pitch are among the most important, and most challenging, steps in planning partnerships. A clear message that captures the value of your work, demonstrates understanding of how your partner operates, and displays how your missions align is the best means by which to generate mutual interest and long-term investment.

Organizations don’t need to reinvent the wheel when fast-tracking this process. The infographics below highlight effective strategies for expediting partner identification and approach.

To help support organizations with the transition process, Accountability Lab, Digital Public, and Development Gateway have created a strategic partnership toolkit and partnership matching service. Explore best practices for fast-tracking your approach, framing your pitch, and more here: https://accountabilitylab.org/launching-a-partnership-matching-service-for-nonprofits/

#CivilSociety #StrategicPartnerships #NonprofitResilience #InternationalDevelopment

📊 Three months since the first announcements of a US government aid freeze, our latest survey ...data shows that a third of respondents are at imminent risk of closure, with Kenya, Nigeria, and the DRC being the most affected countries.

Between 1 - 18 May Accountability Lab and Humentum relaunched a survey to gather comparative understandings of how the situation has evolved since the cuts and what further steps can be taken to support a fast-shifting development landscape.

Of the 266 respondents:
- A third of organizations say they are at imminent risk of closure, with almost 55% actively seeking or discussing mergers or restructuring.
- 21% have only one month of financial resources remaining,
- 24% a 3-month financial runway, and
- 44% have received payments for work completed before the cuts came into effect.

🌐 For more information visit: https://www.globalaidfreeze.com/

⚖️ Community Justice Teams are back! 💪

Our team at Accountability Lab Liberia is ...proud to relaunch Community Justice Teams – working alongside the Citizens Bureau for Development and Productivity in Liberia, with support from the Grassroots Justice Network for West and Central Africa, the Legal Empowerment Fund, and UNDP Liberia.

This month, we trained a new cohort of local mediators who will now begin engaging communities across the country, offering trusted, people-first solutions to everyday conflicts and promoting access to justice where it matters most.

This work is rooted in deep local knowledge and built on collaboration. It’s not just about resolving disputes – it’s about strengthening accountability and building trust from the ground up.

We’re just getting started. Follow along as these teams bring justice closer to home, one conversation at a time.

#CommunityJustice #AccessToJustice #CivicEngagement #LocalLeadership

Integrity Icon Liberia

💡 Following the Copenhagen Democracy Summit 2025, here are AL co-CEO Blair Glencorse's 10 ...to-dos and takeways to strengthen democracy in periods of flux: https://bit.ly/3SGAqRl

Accountability Lab Nigeria held a webinar recently with Jake Okechukwu Effoduh Esq talking about ...strategic litigation. How can it be deployed to support African voices in tech accountability and advance human rights? Catch up on the discussion with AL Nigeria's Blessing Anolaba below.