Deadline: 31-Dec-23
The Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has announced the Open Internet Initiative for Democracy to support the local private sector or civil society in the implementation of digital rights defence initiatives in their local contexts.
Find new grants easily
Access advanced search tools to find new scholarships by country or by thematic areas of work interest
Hurry! Sign up today with 75% discount
The selected advocacy projects will seek to address a specific law, policy or tactic that hinders democratic engagement in the digital space. Preference will be given to applicants operating in countries that are experiencing high levels of decline in digital rights and internet freedom, as well as organisations that are looking to scale up a digital rights project that shows potential for greater impact.
Although the unprecedented reliance on the internet has created new opportunities for democratic engagement and economicThe challenges are many. Disruptive tactics to stifle online freedoms and new legislation that suppresses digital rights have resulted in a decline in global internet freedom for the 13th consecutive year in 2023, according to Freedom House. Now, more than ever, it is vital to advance multisectoral initiatives that reject the closure of the internet space and defend the digital rights that are essential for the survival of democracy in the digital age. To tackle this challenge growing, the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) established the Open Internet for Democracy Initiative to support digital rights defenders from the local private sector, civil society and independent media from across the Global Majority to protect Internet freedom in their local and regional contexts, as well as internationally.
Examples of potential projects may include, but are not limited to:
Find new grants easily
Access advanced search tools to find new scholarships by country or by thematic areas of work interest
Hurry! Sign up today with 75% discount
- Convening constructive multilateral dialogues between the local private sector, civil society, independent media and key decision-makers to examine the implications of new technologies in human rights (e.g. digital rights implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence)
- Identification of specific digital rights gaps in the development or implementation of a new law or policy (such as legislation focussing on privacy or data protection)
- Explore the social and economic impacts of internet outages in a particular country or region.
Information on financing
- Financing ceiling: The subsidy awarded to successful applicants will be a maximum of US$ 10,000 based on the need and scope of the proposed intervention.
- Anticipated Number of Prizes: 2
- Planned start date: February 2024
- Project Implementation Period: 1st February 2024 to 30th November 2024
Expectations
- Organisations that receive a small grant are expected to do so:
- Implement a digital rights or Internet freedom defence initiative that brings together diverse stakeholder groups, including the community business local civil society organisations and/or government in the candidate's country or region of origin.
- Actively participate in regularly scheduled check-ins with the CIPE Global team.
- Complete narrative and financial reports on the project (specific details will be described in the grant agreement, if selected).
- Participate in at least one regional or global dialogue on Internet freedom or digital rights issues during the course of the project.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be independent, registered, local, from the private sector or civil society organisations located in Global Majority countries who have previous experience in digital rights.
- Preference will be given to previous and/or current CIPE partners, as well as organisations interested in implementing or scaling a digital rights initiative that responds to a specific challenge affecting digital rights and Internet freedom in the applicant's local context.
- Applicants should also be able to demonstrate previous experience working on digital rights or Internet freedom topics and a desire to engage with various stakeholders throughout the project.
For more information, visit CIPE.
