[Unpad Media Channel] The selection process for institutions to receive international grant funding from prominent philanthropic organizations emphasizes strong accountability and governance principles. As previously reported, Universitas Padjadjaran, through the Unpad SDGs Center, has successfully secured a grant from the Bezos Earth Fund, a major philanthropic foundation supported by Jeff Bezos. This grant is part of the global Green Macroeconomic Modeling Initiative (GMMI).
The GMMI project aims to accelerate innovation and enhance macroeconomic analysis capacity within the context of green economic transitions. In addition to technical project evaluations, the grant’s administrative requirements are highly stringent. To assess Unpad’s readiness in terms of governance, financial accountability, and institutional management, the Bezos Earth Fund appoints Paragon Philanthropy, an independent consulting firm based in Austin, Texas.
Established in 2011, Paragon Philanthropy has extensive experience conducting due diligence for major foundations such as the Rockefeller Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, and Whittier Trust. Two key compliance procedures are carried out, Equivalency Determination (ED) and Expenditure Responsibility (ER). These procedures are mandated under U.S. tax law to ensure that foreign grantees meet the standards of U.S. public charitable organizations, particularly those classified under 501(c)(3) by the IRS.
Paragon conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Unpad, examining legal structures and legislation, financial audits, procurement procedures, collaboration mechanisms, global sanctions screenings, and reputational risk assessments — all under principles of prudence, independence, and cross-border compliance. For Unpad, this involves the legal translation and submission of documents such as audited financial reports, university budget structures, rector decrees on partnerships and procurement, bank references, legal founding documents, and organizational charts.
“This entire process required intense coordination across multiple directorates within a very tight timeframe — from compiling legal documentation and financial reporting to aligning public identification forms — all had to be legally valid and internationally consistent,” explained Prof. Zuzy Anna, the Director of the Unpad SDGs Center.
As a State University with Legal Entity (PTNBH) status, Unpad has built a strong and accountable governance framework, which facilitated a relatively smooth verification process. The university’s partnership procedures are regulated under Rector Decree No. 19/UN6.RKT/Kep/HK/2018, encompassing the initiation, feasibility assessment, implementation, and systematic monitoring and evaluation. In addition, Unpad’s procurement system operates under the principles of transparency and best value for money, as outlined in Rector Regulation No. 1 of 2023, a key factor in assuring Paragon Philanthropy of the institution’s responsible and efficient grant management capabilities.
“This grant approval proves that institutions from developing countries can meet the highest international standards — not only academically, but also in governance. It is a significant moment to show that institutional integrity is a core asset in global collaboration,” emphasized Prof. Zuzy.
Looking forward, Unpad hopes this achievement will open the door to more transnational, research-based collaborations that address sustainable development challenges with credible, internationally recognized governance.
