In 2007, the Southern Africa Trust commissioned a study on trends and on the impact of changing aid policies and shifting financial flows to civil society organisations in southern Africa. A report, Follow the Money, has been published to reveal the findings. The report gives an update on current trends in policies and practices, against the backdrop of the recent changes in global aid policies, the global financial crisis and economic downturn.

Among other things, the study found that while there is significant donor funding going to civil society organisations, support at regional level and efforts to strengthen citizens’ voices and accountability in relation to regional institutions remains limited. It also found that there is a strong tendency within many donor agencies to view civil society organisations as instruments for delivering on donors' priorities.