Developing Internet Impact Briefs for Digital Rights Advocacy
A Training Program for Digital Rights Organisations in West Africa
Program Overview
In order to increase the capacity of civil society organisations to respond to government-led policy initiatives that threaten the democratic principles of an open internet, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) is launching a call for applications to provide training and technical guidance to selected organisations in support of developing Internet Impact Briefs (IIBs): research briefs that apply the Internet Impact Assessment Toolkit (IIAT), developed by the Internet Society (ISOC), to support evidence-based digital rights advocacy work in policy and regulatory-focused domains.
Over the course of the training program, organisations will gain the skills needed to conduct concise, written analyses of how policy proposals, developments, or trends can impact digital rights and the advancement of an open, globally-connected, secure, trustworthy, and democratic internet.
The program will adopt a hybrid approach, combining online instruction through three (3) ISOC-developed short courses (two weeks each) on the IIAT, Internet Enablers, and IIB Development, with virtual moderation and collaboration. After completing the online courses, participants will attend a two-day in-person workshop in their home country led by a digital rights expert. During the workshop, the expert will mentor each organisation as they finalise their own IIB based on specific issues within their country or region.
Eligibility / Requirements
This opportunity is open to qualifying civil society organisations. In order to be considered for participation in this Project, civil society organisations must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a civil society organisation working on digital rights and internet governance in West Africa (specifically Ghana, Liberia, or the Gambia).
- Ensure availability and participation of 5-7 staff or representatives of the organisation to take part in a virtual training (approximately 5-6 weeks), as well as a two day in-person workshop held at the organisation. Please note that all staff or representatives must:
- Be at least 18 years old and legally an adult.
- Be a citizen or resident of Ghana, Liberia, or the Gambia
- Should either live near the country's capital or be able to travel there for in-person workshops.
- Able to dedicate a minimum of 4 hours and a maximum of 7 hours per week to program-related activities, such as online training, collaboration, engaging with mentors, drafting reports, and attending in-person workshops.
- Own or have access to a personal computer or other digital device, with a reliable Internet connection (stipends may be provided to cover connectivity costs) for attending online training, meetings, and collaborative sessions.
- Be fluent in spoken and written English, as it will be the language used for training, collaboration, and engagement throughout the program.
- Proficient or willing to learn to use online team scheduling, communication, and collaboration tools such as: Google Docs, Slack / Google Group, Zoom, Google Meet, Doodle, Google Drive, Plectica Boards, Canva, etc.
- Additional advantage: Some research experience, with a minimum of high school education.
- Additional advantage: Some experience in digital rights research/advocacy, and internet governance
Complete the Application Form (available here)
Benefits
By participating in this project, Representatives and/or their Organisations would:
- Joining the Open Internet for Democracy Initiative's global network of advocates and civil society organisations, dedicated to promoting an open and accessible internet as a fundamental element for democratic societies worldwide.
- Collaborating and engaging with other colleagues and civil society organisations in their country and region who work on digital rights and internet governance.
- Receiving training and expert mentorship support to develop IIB documents to strengthen their capacity for evidence-based advocacy on digital rights and internet governance within their country or region.
- Have the opportunity to apply for limited funding (through the Open Internet for Democracy Initiative) and receive ongoing expert mentorship support in applying their IIB product to a strategic advocacy campaign in response to the identified issue within their country or region.
Important Dates & Timelines
Application Open: July 17, 2023
Application Submission Deadline: August 18, 2023
Notification of Selection Decision: August 31, 2023
Beginning of Online Training: September 11, 2023
Completion of Online Training & Submission of Certificate of Completion: by October 27, 2023
In-person Workshop Date: November or December 2023
Contact & Enquiries
Program Consultant: Emmanuel C. OGU
Email: [email protected]
Useful Links
Open Internet for Democracy Resources: https://openinternet.global/resources
Sample IIB Documents: https://www.internetsociety.org/resources/internet-impact-briefs/
The Internet Impact Assessment Toolkit (IIAT): https://www.internetsociety.org/issues/internet-way-of-networking/internet-impact-assessment-toolkit/
The Internet Way of Networking (IWN): https://www.internetsociety.org/action-plan/2022/internet-way-of-networking/