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Restless Development, in collaboration with Democracy Moves, has been awarded a grant of 7,500 euros as part of the Porticus Learning Partnership. The grant aims to support youth-led action research in the areas of Democratic Governance and Civic Engagement. Over the next 18 months, three small-scale sub-grants of 2,500 euros each will be awarded, with two grants to be awarded in Year 1 of implementation and one grant in Year 2.
Objectives: The youth researcher will play a key role in conducting action research and generating youth-led insights on a specific topic related to civic engagement or democratic governance. The research should aim to create new findings and recommendations that can be used to advocate for and drive positive change to create new pathways to achieve more just, sustainable, and democratic futures. Furthermore, the researcher will contribute to developing insights for donors and partners on how to effectively support youth-led research and facilitate change.
Research Topics:
The following research themes were identified on the basis of consultations with the Democracy Moves network, learning questions developed with Porticus and the potential to extend the research as part of other funded initiatives:
- Intergenerational alliances to combat the rise of authoritarianism
- Organise to fight democratic regression
- Young people's political participation - influence and impact beyond the elections
- Intersectional youth movements - effective support, gaps and impactful initiatives
- Local threats and opportunities related to digital technologies
- Impact (positive/negative) of new media technologies
Research Tasks and Responsibilities:
The selected young researcher is expected to:
- Participate in three onboarding/training sessions to finalize the research approach and design.
- Participate in a safety and security briefing to ensure the well-being of everyone involved.
- Commit to a weekly 30-minute check-in call to report progress, receive support, and seek guidance.
- Submit a comprehensive research report/paper that includes a brief literature review, methodology, findings, analysis, and recommendations.
- Participate in a learning assessment and debriefing session with the research working group.
- Participate in events, in collaboration with Porticus and broader networks, to formally present the research results.
Opportunities and Support:
The selected young researcher will have the opportunity to:
- Connect with the Democracy Moves Scholars Network for guidance and support in action research approaches.
- Establish informal networks and sharing spaces to gain additional insights and support from fellow researchers.
- Receive support from Restless Development and Democracy Moves throughout the research process.
Expression of Interest / Research Proposal:
Interested parties are invited to submit an expression of interest and a research proposal that addresses or connects with one of the main themes highlighted above. The proposal should include the following information:
- Personal data: name, age, contact information and relevant background/experience.
- Proposed research topic: Clearly state the chosen research topic and provide a brief overview of the proposed research question(s) and objectives.
- Methodology: Outline the research approach, methods, and data collection techniques that will be employed.
- Timeline: Provide an estimated timeline for the research, including key milestones and deliverables.
- Potential impact and recommendations: Describe the anticipated impact of the research and how the results can be used for advocacy and change.
- Ethical considerations: Explain how ethical standards and safeguards will be addressed during the research process.
Selection criteria:
Proposals will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
- Relevance: Alignment with the identified research themes and objectives.
- Clarity: Clear articulation of the research question(s), objectives, and methodology.
- Feasibility: Feasibility demonstrated
Deadline
- Note: The research proposal should not exceed 4 pages and must be submitted by July 16, 2023.
