Adam Pickering
@adamleepickering.bsky.social
Policy Lead and Senior Governance Adviser in the Civil Society & Civic Space Department @ FCDO
Reposted by Adam Pickering
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we honor the leadership, resilience, and creativity of #DisabilityJustice activists around the world.
Thank you to everyone who supports this work. Together, we are creating a world where all people with disabilities can thrive.
#IDPD2025
Thank you to everyone who supports this work. Together, we are creating a world where all people with disabilities can thrive.
#IDPD2025
December 3, 2025 at 8:58 AM
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we honor the leadership, resilience, and creativity of #DisabilityJustice activists around the world.
Thank you to everyone who supports this work. Together, we are creating a world where all people with disabilities can thrive.
#IDPD2025
Thank you to everyone who supports this work. Together, we are creating a world where all people with disabilities can thrive.
#IDPD2025
Not surprised but still disappointed that major INGOs are using generative AI for their poverty porn campaigns.
The fact that some have defended it as a consent hack shows how far we have to go to incentivise progressive narratives.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
The fact that some have defended it as a consent hack shows how far we have to go to incentivise progressive narratives.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
AI-generated ‘poverty porn’ fake images being used by aid agencies
Exclusive: Pictures depicting the most vulnerable and poorest people are being used in social media campaigns in the sector, driven by concerns over consent and cost
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Not surprised but still disappointed that major INGOs are using generative AI for their poverty porn campaigns.
The fact that some have defended it as a consent hack shows how far we have to go to incentivise progressive narratives.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
The fact that some have defended it as a consent hack shows how far we have to go to incentivise progressive narratives.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
I worry that we are misunderstanding what philanthropy is when we ask this. It isn't ODA and expecting it to be accountable and responsive in the same way might not help. We need more of it - and not just in the US and Europe. We need to sell it as an innate civil and political right.
Philanthropy is set to play an ever more important role in the funding of development. But is it funding as well as possible?
How can philanthropy fund development better?
How can philanthropy fund development better?
www.devex.com
September 28, 2025 at 6:57 AM
I worry that we are misunderstanding what philanthropy is when we ask this. It isn't ODA and expecting it to be accountable and responsive in the same way might not help. We need more of it - and not just in the US and Europe. We need to sell it as an innate civil and political right.
Great new toolkit for donors on Coordinating Action on Civic Space by @oecd-ocde.bsky.social brnw.ch/21wUosY a includes some grown up recommendations that reflect the scale of the challenge.
Co-ordinating Action for Civic Space
This toolkit offers practical guidance to adherents to the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance....
brnw.ch
September 2, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Great new toolkit for donors on Coordinating Action on Civic Space by @oecd-ocde.bsky.social brnw.ch/21wUosY a includes some grown up recommendations that reflect the scale of the challenge.
So @moreincommonuk.bsky.social shows a lesser seen case for aid - countering Russian and Chinese influence - to be pretty popular with the public. More so even than UK economic growth and security. www.moreincommon.org.uk/latest-insig...
June 21, 2025 at 2:14 PM
So @moreincommonuk.bsky.social shows a lesser seen case for aid - countering Russian and Chinese influence - to be pretty popular with the public. More so even than UK economic growth and security. www.moreincommon.org.uk/latest-insig...
Congrats to former USAID colleagues and collaborators for bringing together resources and learning on Democracy, Rights and Governance into a new hub and ensuring that knowledge is accessible to all DRGHub.org
DRGHub | Empower Local Changemakers
Join DRGHub to connect with global experts and access resources for democracy support. Share knowledge, mentor leaders, and drive inclusive, resilient progress.
DRGHub.org
June 7, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Congrats to former USAID colleagues and collaborators for bringing together resources and learning on Democracy, Rights and Governance into a new hub and ensuring that knowledge is accessible to all DRGHub.org
Reposted by Adam Pickering
Nonprofit organizations are an integral component of civil society providing critical resources, defending civil liberties and more. That’s why they’re likely the Trump admin’s next target. We put together resources to help orgs navigate this scary time: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/what-to-do...
What to do if you’re targeted by the White House
22 things your nonprofit can do if faced with politicized executive actions
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
June 1, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Nonprofit organizations are an integral component of civil society providing critical resources, defending civil liberties and more. That’s why they’re likely the Trump admin’s next target. We put together resources to help orgs navigate this scary time: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/what-to-do...
We've lost a formidable and respected campaigner and advocate for international development.
We’re heartbroken to share that our friend and colleague, and Head of Hub Cymru Africa, Claire O’Shea died peacefully this morning surrounded by her family.
May 14, 2025 at 2:21 PM
We've lost a formidable and respected campaigner and advocate for international development.
Reposted by Adam Pickering
Kazakh government is latest to launch investigations into former USAID recipients working on human rights, free press, and democracy timesca.com/kazakhstan-i...
Kazakhstan Investigates Recipients of USAID Funding - The Times Of Central Asia
Following the cancellation of USAID funding, the Kazakhstani government and parliament are scrutinizing the recipients of U.S. financial assistance. The issue
timesca.com
March 19, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Kazakh government is latest to launch investigations into former USAID recipients working on human rights, free press, and democracy timesca.com/kazakhstan-i...
Fascinating new report on Countering Extreme Right Narratives from the Global Narratives Hive. Some useful tips for activists and donors.
Congrats to @ficivilsociety.bsky.social and all the funders, activists and researchers who developed the Hive. An idea that looks more relevant every day.
Congrats to @ficivilsociety.bsky.social and all the funders, activists and researchers who developed the Hive. An idea that looks more relevant every day.
New Report: “Countering extreme right narratives across movements: learning from experimentation”.
The Hive is proud to share our new report on “Countering extreme right narratives across movements: learning from experimentation”, which…
medium.com
March 14, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Fascinating new report on Countering Extreme Right Narratives from the Global Narratives Hive. Some useful tips for activists and donors.
Congrats to @ficivilsociety.bsky.social and all the funders, activists and researchers who developed the Hive. An idea that looks more relevant every day.
Congrats to @ficivilsociety.bsky.social and all the funders, activists and researchers who developed the Hive. An idea that looks more relevant every day.
Reposted by Adam Pickering
🔎 UPDATED: ICNL's global analysis bit.ly/49DDa8m provides civil society with:
🔶 Substantive arguments against overbroad #ForeignInfluence registration laws
🔶 Potential response strategies
🔶 An assessment of how CSOs are likely to be impacted
🔶 Substantive arguments against overbroad #ForeignInfluence registration laws
🔶 Potential response strategies
🔶 An assessment of how CSOs are likely to be impacted
February 26, 2025 at 8:31 PM
🔎 UPDATED: ICNL's global analysis bit.ly/49DDa8m provides civil society with:
🔶 Substantive arguments against overbroad #ForeignInfluence registration laws
🔶 Potential response strategies
🔶 An assessment of how CSOs are likely to be impacted
🔶 Substantive arguments against overbroad #ForeignInfluence registration laws
🔶 Potential response strategies
🔶 An assessment of how CSOs are likely to be impacted
The trend line is clear. Even the positives are improvements from a very low base and are by no means secure.
We need work on the demand side. We need to support those demanding responsive and accountable government. #FreedomInTheWorld
We need work on the demand side. We need to support those demanding responsive and accountable government. #FreedomInTheWorld
📣 NEW: #FreedomInTheWorld 2025 is now LIVE!
freedomhouse.org/report/freed...
Violence and repression around elections, ongoing armed conflicts, and the spread of authoritarian practices contributed to the 19th consecutive year of global freedom in decline.
(1/🧵)
freedomhouse.org/report/freed...
Violence and repression around elections, ongoing armed conflicts, and the spread of authoritarian practices contributed to the 19th consecutive year of global freedom in decline.
(1/🧵)
February 26, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The trend line is clear. Even the positives are improvements from a very low base and are by no means secure.
We need work on the demand side. We need to support those demanding responsive and accountable government. #FreedomInTheWorld
We need work on the demand side. We need to support those demanding responsive and accountable government. #FreedomInTheWorld
The reducing of the UKs ODA budget is clearly a blow on the back of other donor announcements. Long term challenges to #civilsociety sustainability are increasingly medium and short term issues now. We'll have to use the funding we do have increasingly strategically to build resilience.
February 25, 2025 at 1:43 PM
The reducing of the UKs ODA budget is clearly a blow on the back of other donor announcements. Long term challenges to #civilsociety sustainability are increasingly medium and short term issues now. We'll have to use the funding we do have increasingly strategically to build resilience.
Good article by James Savage of @fundhumanrights.bsky.social on donor responses to foreign agent laws.
europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu/defending-ci...
#civicspace #humanrights
europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu/defending-ci...
#civicspace #humanrights
Defending Civic Space Against “Foreign Agent” Laws
europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu
February 24, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Good article by James Savage of @fundhumanrights.bsky.social on donor responses to foreign agent laws.
europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu/defending-ci...
#civicspace #humanrights
europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu/defending-ci...
#civicspace #humanrights
Reposted by Adam Pickering
Hello, BlueSky! We're the Open Government Partnership —a global community of governments, civil society, and changemakers working together to make governments more transparent, accountable, and inclusive.
February 18, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Hello, BlueSky! We're the Open Government Partnership —a global community of governments, civil society, and changemakers working together to make governments more transparent, accountable, and inclusive.
Perspective 1: Go all in to support #civilsociety in this moment of need. Stand up for your values.
Perspective 2: Perspective 1 is good money after bad. Support those with a path to sustainability in an era of reduced funding.
Humility needed.
Perspective 2: Perspective 1 is good money after bad. Support those with a path to sustainability in an era of reduced funding.
Humility needed.
February 18, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Perspective 1: Go all in to support #civilsociety in this moment of need. Stand up for your values.
Perspective 2: Perspective 1 is good money after bad. Support those with a path to sustainability in an era of reduced funding.
Humility needed.
Perspective 2: Perspective 1 is good money after bad. Support those with a path to sustainability in an era of reduced funding.
Humility needed.
Looks interesting and timely from Civicus. Small grants to social movements supporting freedom of assembly. www.civicus.org/index.php/en...
WeRise Campaign Call for Proposals
www.civicus.org
February 13, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Looks interesting and timely from Civicus. Small grants to social movements supporting freedom of assembly. www.civicus.org/index.php/en...
European Commission to develop a civic space strategy. civic-forum.eu/press/in-his...
In historic decision, European Commission promises strategy to support, protect, and empower civil society - European Civic Forum
The European Commission has today published its 2025 work programme, including a pledge to introduce a Civil Society Strategy — a historic decision that follows years of campaigning by the European Ci...
civic-forum.eu
February 13, 2025 at 10:15 AM
European Commission to develop a civic space strategy. civic-forum.eu/press/in-his...
Reposted by Adam Pickering
10 key findings from 10 years of collecting and analyzing data on transnational repression--by @freedomhouse.bsky.social
freedomhouse.org/article/ten-...
freedomhouse.org/article/ten-...
Ten Findings from Ten Years of Data on Transnational Repression
Transnational repression threatens security and human rights. The more we know about who is committing it and how, the better we can fight to end it.
freedomhouse.org
February 11, 2025 at 12:27 PM
10 key findings from 10 years of collecting and analyzing data on transnational repression--by @freedomhouse.bsky.social
freedomhouse.org/article/ten-...
freedomhouse.org/article/ten-...
So many potential reasons that young people aren't working for CSOs. Recruitment practices might be to blame. But I wonder whether a shift in forms of political activism to informal, peer led movements makes institutional civil society seem less attractive / relevant? These are global trends.
Charities have been encouraged to invest in their younger staff as government figures show fewer people under 25 are employed in the sector than in the wider economy
Charities urged to invest as stats show fewer young staff than in other sectors
www.civilsociety.co.uk
February 11, 2025 at 12:16 PM
So many potential reasons that young people aren't working for CSOs. Recruitment practices might be to blame. But I wonder whether a shift in forms of political activism to informal, peer led movements makes institutional civil society seem less attractive / relevant? These are global trends.
I'd argue USAID cuts mark more than the end of an era of American generosity. If we put aside the (very significant) immediate real world impact of the cuts and focus on the big picture, this might mark an inflection point for the concept of "development". A large bail of straw for the camel.
The End of Foreign Aid As We Know It: Elon Musk's tech raiders dismantling of USAID marks end of an era of American generosity.
www.devex.com/news/the-end...
www.devex.com/news/the-end...
The end of foreign aid as we know it
Elon Musk’s tech raiders dismantling of USAID marks the end of an era of American generosity.
www.devex.com
February 11, 2025 at 10:21 AM
I'd argue USAID cuts mark more than the end of an era of American generosity. If we put aside the (very significant) immediate real world impact of the cuts and focus on the big picture, this might mark an inflection point for the concept of "development". A large bail of straw for the camel.
The air seems fresher here.
I am conflicted though. Civic freedom requires that we try and defend civic spaces and it feels uncomfortable to abandon the "other place" as a lost cause.
But here I am.
I am conflicted though. Civic freedom requires that we try and defend civic spaces and it feels uncomfortable to abandon the "other place" as a lost cause.
But here I am.
February 9, 2025 at 8:58 AM
The air seems fresher here.
I am conflicted though. Civic freedom requires that we try and defend civic spaces and it feels uncomfortable to abandon the "other place" as a lost cause.
But here I am.
I am conflicted though. Civic freedom requires that we try and defend civic spaces and it feels uncomfortable to abandon the "other place" as a lost cause.
But here I am.