Deadline: 4 September 2017
The Power and Accountability Grant Program will support people to create a world in which power is more equally shared, and in which powerful institutions are responsive and accountable to wider society and aligned with the long-term public interest.
In wider society, the way that power is concentrated, shared and used is changing as a result of globalisation, new technology, new channels of communication, extreme inequality and other factors. These changes bring increased risks of unaccountable power, but also new opportunities for interconnected, engaged and flourishing democracy.
Funding Priorities
Strengthening corporate accountability: Large corporations have significant power, and checks and balances are inadequately developed, particularly for trans-national corporations. JRCT are interested in funding work which:
- develops and promotes mechanisms which increase the accountability and responsiveness of companies to shareholders, stakeholders, regulators and the long-term public interest, for example through improvements to corporate governance, corporate structures (including alternative corporate forms), company reporting or regulation
- develops and promotes mechanisms whereby those who suffer severely as a result of company actions, particularly marginalised groups, can gain access to justice.
Strengthening democratic accountability: In a healthy democracy, government should be representative of the wider public and in touch with a wide range of groups, but not disproportionately influenced by any single interest. They are interested in funding work which:
- develops and promotes mechanisms which ensure an accountable, transparent and proportionate relationship between the private sector and government
- develops and promotes mechanisms which enable civil society and the general public, including marginalised groups, to engage appropriately and effectively with government policy making
- encourages government, parliament and other statutory agencies to be more representative of the wider public they serve.
Encouraging responsible media: The media is an important part of a healthy democracy, but media can itself be powerful and unaccountable. They are interested in funding work which:
- encourages accurate and responsible media, with appropriate safeguards
- explores and promotes ways for all forms of media to play a constructive role in holding government, companies and other powerful actors to account.
For more information, please visit Power and Accountability Grant Program.
