Archive for 2025
Their examples point the way: Celebrating the 55 groups (so far!) in the Civil Society Wayfinder campaign
As big donors and NGOs work to reimagine this sector, we’re celebrating groups whose approaches we believe already embody the principles emerging in high-level discussions and reports, such as an investment in youth leadership, a focus on narrative power, and the development of stronger information ecosystems and decentralized funding networks.
Read MoreAL is hiring a Data and Research Associate
Position Title: Data and Research Associate (Business Development & Civic Strength Partners Implementation) Location: Remote or hybrid (preferably in a country where Accountability Lab operates) Reports to: Global Head of Development (matrix report to Civil Strength Partners Lead) Type: Full-time, 12-month renewable contract About Accountability Lab Accountability Lab (AL) is a global translocal network that…
Read MoreReimagining democracy support in times of crisis
The recent “When Aid Fades” report by the Global Democracy Coalition serves as a stark reminder that funding cuts to civil society aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. They represent a systematic weakening of the global democracy ecosystem—one that has stripped protections from human rights defenders, undermined independent media, and emboldened authoritarian regimes that now…
Read MoreThe future of governance support depends on what we choose to see
Rebalancing toward the relationships, translation work, and bilingual soft infrastructure that make democratic practice possible. Across conversations with practitioners, funders, researchers, and colleagues working on democracy, governance and civic space, the same diagnosis keeps surfacing. It’s no longer tentative; it’s becoming a quiet consensus: We need to rebalance away from technocratic prescriptions and toward…
Read MoreCivic Charge: Celebrating leadership rooted in people, place, and purpose
Civic Charge is Accountability Lab’s global learning programme that brings together changemakers strengthening accountability within their communities. Unlike fellowships built around deliverables, Civic Charge is designed as a learning accelerator – a space for reflection, skills-building, and peer connection, where leaders can step back from the urgency of doing and invest in how they are…
Read MoreLeading with purpose: reflections on my journey with Accountability Lab Mali
As I prepare to transition from my role as Country Director at Accountability Lab Mali, I find myself filled with deep gratitude and reflection. This journey has been one of purpose, growth, and connection, with incredible people and communities who continually remind me why integrity, empathy, and collaboration matter so profoundly in the work we…
Read MoreIntroducing our new Country Director in Mali
Accountability Lab Mali is announcing a leadership transition as our current Country Director, Doussouba Konaté, steps down from her role. After several years of consistent service to a growing team, Ms. Konaté is passing the responsibilities to Deputy Director Habibou Diaou. Ms. Konaté joined Accountability Lab in 2018 and has made significant contributions to the…
Read MoreReimagining the material base for civil society – soundbytes from the world’s largest peace gathering
In one room, a booming Degan Ali from Adeso was sharing practical steps to follow for community organizations as the “Western rule based international system collapsed” – and along with it, Official Development Assistance (ODA). Her entrepreneurial case studies from countries like Somalia solve tangible problems for communities in a way that no longer requires…
Read MoreBridging the gap: Why inclusion is the work, not the afterthought
In conversations around governance and democracy, I’ve been struck by how inclusion continues to emerge as both a challenge and a catalyst for change. From the International Democracy Day (IDD) Conference in Brussels to the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz, one theme was consistently reaffirmed for me: young people are not just the…
Read MoreLeadership and Partnership in Security: The Leading Role of Civil Society
As global instability deepens – from hybrid warfare and disinformation to climate shocks and civic repression – the link between democracy and security has never been clearer. Speaking at a high-level roundtable on “Leadership and Partnership in Security: The Leading Role of Civil Society,” Blair Glencorse, Co-CEO of Accountability Lab, reflected on how leadership, trust,…
Read MoreOur Stories, Our Voices, Our Power: Reflections from Afrotellers 2025
In Johannesburg, storytellers, artists, and activists from across Africa gathered for the Afrotellers Conference 2025, a three-day celebration of narrative power under the theme “Our Stories. Our Voices. Our Power.” The event created space for reflection, creativity, and dialogue on how storytelling can shape governance, integrity, and social change. Day One opened with Professor René Smith…
Read MoreThe World Bank’s Legitimacy Is Derived From Citizens, Now More Than Ever
This article was first published in the Global Policy Journal Back in 2017, the World Bank began an ambitious effort to improve the management of natural resources and tourism in southern Tanzania, while creating jobs and protecting the environment. While sounding like a fantastic way to support development in one of the poorest parts of…
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