This is a link post.

As time goes on, the world's poorest - those who live below the World Bank's extreme poverty line of $2.15 a day - are increasingly concentrated not in stable countries, but in unstable ones.

Without stabilizing fragile states, all our progress at reducing global poverty will soon stall out, leaving hundreds of millions living on less than $2 a day.

Peace allows countries at least the prospect of growth. It is not a guarantee - growth is not always easy, even for countries at peace - but when there's a civil war, it's virtually impossible for a country to grow. For poverty to decrease, to health to improve, for life to get better, for countries to grow - there must be peace.

---

First published:

November 12th, 2024

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/vkbwJxQLzMjApoHtX/the-structural-transformation-case-for-peacekeeping

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

TL;DR:

In this post, we cover Hive's achievements, plans for 2025, and how we would allocate additional funding to maximize our impact.

Hive is a global community focused on empowering farmed animal advocates by fostering connections, resources, and collaboration. We are most well known for our Slack community and bi-weekly newsletter with movement updates, "Hive Highlights".

2024 Achievements:

• Hive now hosts 3,000+ advocates (up from 1,631 at the beginning of the year) and our engagement has grown into the most active Slack community in the broader EA Ecosystem (1000+ monthly active members)[1]
• We have logged 60+ High Impact Outcomes[2] this year through our programs.
• Our newsletter has grown to over 2,900 subscribers and over 50% open rate (up from 1261 in January 2024), offering timely updates and critical resources to advocates.
• This has been achieved with a budget of $240,000 on 4.5 FTE. Notably, one of our co-founders volunteered [...]

---

Outline:

(00:09) TL;DR:

(03:12) Briefly, who we are:

(04:39) What we have been up to:

(04:42) In Key Metrics (2024)

(06:05) In Testimonials (2024)

(12:09) Strategic Focus 2025:

(12:51) Objective 1: Grow Hive's reputation as a global hub for highly engaged farmed animal advocates who want to increase their impact

(14:57) Objective 2: Provide high-value programs that increase the impact of our community members

(15:54) Objective 3: The team has the support and resources  they need to execute Objectives 1 and 2

(16:56) How our funding situation currently looks like:

(19:44) What things cost:

(20:19) Slack Fees (covered)

(21:08) Very basic core Staff costs (covered)

(21:52) Newsletters (expected to be covered)

(22:50) Additional Staff (partially expected to be covered)

(26:50) Our Uncertainties:

(27:11) On Counterfactuality and Measuring Impact

(29:11) On our approach

(30:18) Appendix: FAQ

(30:22) How do you plan to sustain growth without losing community value, and have you reached a saturation point in membership?

(31:50) Don’t you just get all your funding from a large funder like Open Philanthropy?

(32:22) Isn’t Hive a US or Western-based community?

The original text contained 17 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

---

First published:

November 13th, 2024

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/iqqyAQ2NqQcmn9CZs/hive-2024-achievements-current-funding-situation-and-plans

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

---

Images from the article:

Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

In the previous post, we covered what we've accomplished so far in 2024, our impact this year, recent changes, and where we're headed next. This post will dive deeper into our biggest, current constraint to impact - funding for regranting.

Executive Summary

The EA Animal Welfare Fund (AWF) currently has significant room for more funding (RFMF). Our estimate suggests that in the coming 12 months, we could productively absorb and grant out approximately $6.3M ($5.3M-$7.3M) more than we granted this year at roughly a similar level of impact. This RFMF is due to a number of promising opportunities coming from open application form, growth in the area, changes in the funding landscape, new opportunities from incubators, opportunities for active grantmaking, and plans to scale operations under new leadership. The fund has a new full-time chair and is prepared to effectively utilize additional funding.

Total regranting RFMF breakdown:

[...]

---

Outline:

(00:23) Executive Summary

(02:51) Analysis of RFMF

(14:52) What Does a Marginal Grant at AWF Look Like?

(17:06) RFMF in AWF's Operating Expenses

(17:38) Conclusion

---

First published:

November 13th, 2024

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/g2reCF86jukN9WMSJ/how-much-extra-funding-can-ea-awf-regrant

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

Summary

The Nucleic Acid Observatory (NAO) aims to improve humanity's ability to detect new pathogens, especially engineered ones. We are evaluating disease surveillance methods, developing pathogen detection algorithms, and running a pilot biosurveillance system. Additional funding would allow us to expand our research into detection methods. You can donate on our website.

The Problem

Among the most dangerous biorisk scenarios is that of a 'stealth' pathogen, spreading without distinctive symptoms[1] and only later causing severe health impacts.[2] Such a pathogen could cause enormous harm, as a very large fraction of humanity could be infected before anyone notices. The world today is not equipped to detect a stealth pathogen before it's too late; however, improvements in monitoring technology could enable dramatically earlier detection and response, substantially reducing the harm caused.

While the 'stealth' scenario is one where we think the benefits of early detection are strongest, it is not [...]

---

Outline:

(00:07) Summary

(00:36) The Problem

(01:20) Our Approach

(01:40) Sampling

(02:47) Sequencing

(03:15) Computational Analysis

(03:56) Marginal Funding

(03:59) Expanding our Team

(04:03) We would like to hire additional staff in a few areas:

(05:27) Pilot Detection

(06:40) Flexibility

(07:07) Prioritization

(07:59) Where We Are Now

(08:02) Resources

(08:19) Organization

(08:54) Staff

(09:17) Budget

(09:51) Benefits

(11:35) Why Not to Fund the NAO

(11:39) Threat Probability

(12:18) Impact of Detection

(12:56) Fungibility

(14:52) How to Fund the NAO

The original text contained 8 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

---

First published:

November 11th, 2024

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/XmtyNTS8eaT2PMzx4/consider-funding-the-nucleic-acid-observatory-to-detect

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

In the spirit of Marginal Funding Week 2024, we are asking for your help to support Talos Network in 2025 as we continue to train the next generation of leaders in AI policy. Your donation will directly contribute to our ability to deliver the Talos Fellowship in its current form and to expand to new fellowship streams.

Now is a particularly critical time to grow the pool of talented people working in AI governance, especially in Europe as the EU AI Office continues to ramp up. Your donation will have a direct impact on the number of fellows we can train and place at key organisations directly influencing EU AI policy.

Executive Summary

• Talos Network reduces the risks from advanced AI by training and placing talented professionals in European AI policy roles through our fellowship program. We've graduated 66 fellows to date, with the majority now [...]

---

Outline:

(00:45) Executive Summary

(01:56) What do we do?

(02:54) What would Talos Network do with marginal funds?

(03:40) Why do we need your help?

(04:43) Reasons in favour of donating to Talos Network

(08:07) Reasons against donating to Talos Network

(08:52) How your funding can help

(09:12) How can you help?

---

First published:

November 12th, 2024

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/StEb4zj9s72f2SdCw/talos-network-needs-your-help-in-2025

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

This is a link post.

Summary:

• The charity evaluator GiveWell increased their rating of the cost-effectiveness of GiveDirectly's Cash for Poverty Relief program by 3-4x after reevaluating our work, including assessing new evidence.
• This update was driven by new estimates of direct cash's positive impact on local economies, consumption, and child mortality, which show our work (past & present) is more impactful than they’d previously assumed.
• This update hasn’t changed GiveWell's top charity and funding recommendations, but this could shift in the future.
• We’re excited about this update and look forward to continued conversations with GiveWell, as we continue to generate new evidence on cash's long-term impact which may shift their assumptions again.

From GiveWell's post:

We estimate that this program is ~3-4x more cost-effective than we had previously estimated, and around ~30-40% as cost-effective as our marginal funding opportunity.

Nick Allardice (GiveDirectly's CEO) has posted this [...]

---

First published:

November 12th, 2024

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/APPjLzzQaFrkc5joj/direct-cash-looks-3-4x-more-cost-effective-in-a-new-givewell

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

Hundreds of billions of animals are trapped in the food industry or suffer in the wild. Our goal is to help you make a bigger positive difference for animals by providing you with impactful giving opportunities that can reduce animal suffering to the greatest extent possible. We are excited to tell you about the five charities we recommend this year!

Animal Charity Evaluators (ACE) spends several months each year evaluating animal advocacy organizations to identify those that can do the most good with additional donations. In 2024, our team of researchers conducted comprehensive evaluations of the 10 animal advocacy organizations that seemed to be doing the most promising work for animals based on what they shared in their evaluation applications. We are grateful to all the charities that applied and agreed to participate in this year's charity evaluations. We believe that each of the charities we chose to evaluate [...]

---

Outline:

(02:07) Recommended in 2024

(14:14) Recommended in 2023

(26:22) Support our Recommended Charities

(27:17) Final Thoughts

The original text contained 1 image which was described by AI.

---

First published:

November 12th, 2024

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/dKLDLs7uJ5Yxee7wx/announcing-our-2024-charity-recommendations

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

---

Images from the article:

Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Thanks to the generous EA community, it looks like Legal Impact for Chickens (LIC), has a real chance to make cruelty a liability.

Sometimes it can feel like the burden rests entirely on activists to beg Big Ag companies to give animals mercy. But an animal's owner is the one with the obligation to care for the animal. Animal cruelty and neglect are crimes.

So LIC aims for a world where Big Ag companies themselves will proactively ensure their treatment of animals complies with the law. Company executives and general counsels should make sure the company's animals have proper food and clean water. Companies should refrain from animal torture on their own, simply because the law says so.

Below I give you a background on who we are, describe our most recent work, discuss an objection to LIC's work, and lay out how we’d use marginal [...]

---

Outline:

(01:02) I. LIC works to make cruelty a liability.

(03:32) II. LIC's most recent work:

(05:35) III. An objection to LIC's work

(07:17) IV. LIC aims to fill ~$90,000 gap by EOY.

The original text contained 1 footnote which was omitted from this narration.

---

First published:

November 11th, 2024

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/kt2XH8htHGEsC3GSc/cruelty-greater-than-liability-legal-impact-for-chickens-s-1

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

On November 9, it's been a year since the passing of Sebastian Lodemann. In a vigil, his former colleagues and friends from the EA community shared what they learned from him at the end of last year. We’re sharing some of these statements anonymously in slightly edited form.

Humility Paired with Exceptional Competence

"I have never worked with someone whose humility matched such immense intelligence and effectiveness. Sebastian was incredibly skilled in many areas but never spoke about his accomplishments. In my experience, he was humble and quiet, always saying the right thing at the right time to encourage and include others. He ensured we considered important matters and stayed on the right track without ever drawing attention to himself. I deeply admire this quality and aspire to emulate it. There's so much I have to learn from him in this regard."

"Among the many professionals I've met, Sebastian [...]

---

Outline:

(00:25) Humility Paired with Exceptional Competence

(01:59) Generosity and Mentorship

(03:35) Encouragement and Empowerment

(04:28) Open-Mindedness and Genuine Curiosity

(05:38) Balancing Personal and Professional Life

(06:43) Sense of Humor and Light-Heartedness

(07:32) Commitment to Self-Improvement and Well-Being

(08:52) Inspiring Others Through Action

(09:32) A Grounded Approach to Lifes Challenges

(10:05) Lasting Impressions and Farewell

(11:03) Continuing Sebastians Legacy

---

First published:

November 11th, 2024

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/bSX8AmcQGmpyEzt3x/a-selection-of-lessons-from-sebastian-lodemann

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

Observatorio de Riesgos Catastróficos Globales (ORCG) is dedicated to safeguarding humanity's future by addressing the full spectrum of global catastrophic risks. This includes crucial work in Artificial Intelligence, where we have secured funding and achieved significant results in 2024, with even greater impact expected in 2025. You can explore our key AI publications in the (Appendix). However, while AI risk is a critical concern, other urgent threats demand our attention, and these areas are currently facing significant funding challenges. In 2024 and 2025, ORCG needs your support to continue tackling these neglected yet crucial areas:

• Pandemic preparednes: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep vulnerabilities in our global systems. We need to learn from this crisis and invest in robust mechanisms for recovery and future preparedness. This includes strengthening healthcare infrastructure, developing equitable vaccine distribution strategies, and addressing the long-term social and economic consequences of pandemics.
• Food Security During ASRS [...]

---

Outline:

(02:15) Why Support ORCG in 2024-2025?

(03:48) How Your Donation Will Make a Difference:

(08:55) Appendix

---

First published:

November 11th, 2024

Source:

https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/hcpA7ufW6zZzeFaT4/don-t-let-other-global-catastrophic-risks-fall-behind

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.