At the Freedom Online Coalition in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, the Open Technology Fund (OTF) today proudly announced the launch of the Digital Integrity Fellowship Program (DIFP) with the Digital Defenders Program (DDP) at Hivos. The DIFP program addresses threats to freedom of expression online experienced by human rights defenders, journalists, and activists by providing avenues for durable and inside-out support from digital security and safety experts, aiming to fill gaps unaddressed by other digital security training and capacity building initiatives.
Keeping Human Rights Defenders Safe
Human rights activists and journalists alike can fall prey to online attackers for two main reasons: 1. they are targeted for their socially motivated work and 2. their digital security measures are too weak to withstand these attacks. This can occur because activist organizations simply lack the capacity, expertise, and funding to counter or perhaps even consider the threats they face for the important work they do. The DIFP will work to put measures in place to better prepare organizations and networks engaging with human rights defenders against these risks.
How it Works
The DIFP will provide at-risk parties with longer-term inside-out support from digital security and safety experts, filling critical gaps currently unaddressed by other digital security training and capacity building initiatives. Specifically, DIFP fellows will focus on bolstering the digital security of organizations whose Internet freedom is routinely or currently repressed, providing the necessary support for DIFP fellows and advisors to work within these organizations, and provide team-wise trainings that go beyond traditional person-to-person assistance.
The OTF Fellowship Program in Digital Integrity will be implemented in coordination with DDP at Hivos to ensure the widest impact for those facing persistent threats to their human rights work.
Apply
Applications are open to potential organizations, fellows, and advisors and mentors. “Organizations” are those who would be receiving the benefits of the digital safety and security expertise; “fellows” are those who would be engaging with local organizations to design and implement effective digital safety and security strategies and receive advice from Advisors; and “advisors and mentors” are digital security experts who are available to provide extra knowledge or capacity building to fellows on any challenges that they may experience.
To apply, just fill out this online form or contact [email protected].