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The IPIE analyzed GenAI usage across 50 countries with competitive national elections in 2024. Findings show that GenAI was reported in 80% of these countries, primarily for content creation (90% of cases). While 69% of instances served malicious ends, 16% were benevolent. The study highlights a significant challenge in actor identification, with 46% of cases remaining unclear, and notes that foreign actors were involved in 20% of reported incidents, all for nefarious purposes.

The document examines the fiscal sustainability of South African municipalities during periods of economic instability. It finds that while municipal operating revenues show some resilience during extreme downturns, they are generally sensitive to economic declines, often with a time lag. The analysis highlights that national fiscal consolidation efforts since 2013 led to real declines in intergovernmental transfers, which significantly impacted municipal operating and capital revenues. Furthermore, the brief notes that economic shocks affect metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas asymmetrically, with metros experiencing higher growth in poverty levels despite generally faster economic growth. The author calls for a more integrated national strategy to protect local government during fiscal shifts and emphasizes the need for improved municipal financial reporting accuracy.

The report examines the systemic underrepresentation of women in Peru's large-scale mining sector, where female labor participation remained around 6% between 2010 and 2019. It identifies key barriers including a lack of women in STEM degrees, traditional gender biases, and challenges in retaining mothers. The document analyzes employment data, regulatory frameworks, and private sector practices, concluding with policy recommendations to improve inclusion, such as implementing gender quotas in recruitment and enhancing labor flexibility for parents.

The report examines the status of women in Peru's large-scale mining sector, finding that female labour force participation remained relatively constant at around 6% between 2010 and 2019. Women are primarily concentrated in administrative roles, with significantly lower representation in managerial (11%), operational (5%), and staff (4%) positions. The study identifies structural barriers including 'machismo', a lack of women in STEM education (only 30% of graduates in mining-related courses are women), and challenges in retaining female staff after childbirth. It also notes a gross gender wage gap in the sector of 6% in 2019, though this gap is higher in specific roles such as operators (34%). The document recommends incentives for women in STEM, improved recruitment processes, greater labour flexibility for parents, and increased transparency in employment data.

The report finds that while Canadian community foundations (CCFs) have grown their endowments to nearly CAD 7 billion as of 2020, they have largely failed to use these assets to combat climate change. Most CCFs rely on vague 'ESG integration' for risk mitigation rather than pursuing climate-positive investments. The analysis reveals significant capacity gaps and a lack of diversity on investment committees, which often act as barriers to strategic change. The report recommends moving toward positive screening, increasing transparency of holdings, and joining the Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change to align financial assets with community climate goals.

The research finds that while centralized conservation policies successfully reduced medium- and large-scale deforestation in both Mato Grosso and Pará, the impact on small-scale deforestation varied by state. In Mato Grosso, large landowners adapted by clearing forest in smaller patches to elude the DETER monitoring system, which cannot detect clearings under 25 hectares. In Pará, smallholders were more persistent in deforesting because their clearings were predominantly smaller than 25 hectares and thus remained invisible to law enforcement. The authors argue that the apparent similarity in deforestation scale across states masks critical differences in the agents involved, necessitating tailored regional policies.

The paper examines 38 PES schemes in Latin America, finding that most are local initiatives driven by NGOs and focused on improving extractive water supply through forest conservation. It highlights a significant disconnect between payment levels and market-based data, noting that payments are typically decided top-down and based on inputs (actions) rather than verified ecosystem outputs.

The report examines the South African government's efforts to curb social grant fraud, specifically focusing on the role of the Department of Social Development (DSD), the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and the establishment of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). It highlights a significant anti-fraud campaign that identified thousands of ineligible public servants and private beneficiaries, resulting in billions of rands in savings. However, the authors critique the reliance on a technocratic approach that ignores the root causes of fraud—namely poverty and unemployment—and notes systemic administrative failures, particularly in the Eastern Cape. The document recommends strengthening internal controls, improving inter-departmental database integration, and ensuring a more consistent application of the law for all fraudsters regardless of their status as civil servants.