Applications are now being accepted for the CIVICUS Digital Action Lab 2024, an initiative designed to empower civil society actors in countries with limited civic space by providing them with the skills, resources, and confidence to effectively promote inclusive democracy.
The goal of the program is to develop real-world pilot projects that enhance the organizing, advocacy, and campaign capacities of participating civil society groups in the Global South, including fostering greater collaboration with local allies. Through this, the initiative seeks to generate the knowledge, approaches, and tools necessary to support even more pro-democracy organizations.
CIVICUS will utilize an open nomination and application process to select up to ten civil society organizations for each DAL cohort. Over a nine-month period, these participants will collaborate with the CIVICUS team, technical experts, and each other to develop a fully funded project that will be implemented in their local context.
Grants will range from $10,000 to $30,000 USD, and participants will also receive substantial coaching and additional non-financial support throughout the process, as well as opportunities to engage with wider networks and events. Between 2024 and 2026, there will be three DAL cohorts.
Benefits
- Take ownership of your DAL journey: Engage in an initial in-person workshop to collaboratively define the priorities and working methods of your DAL cohort, and undergo a discovery process to pinpoint the focus of your specific pilot project.
- Customized skill-building and empowerment: Enhance your skills through tailored workshops and training plans designed to address the unique needs and challenges of your organization. DAL is dedicated to boosting your confidence and equipping you with the knowledge and expertise to make the most of new digital opportunities for your work.
- Elevate existing efforts: Instead of starting from scratch, DAL projects will concentrate on improving your current strategies and approaches to maximize impact and sustainability. You already understand the requirements for effecting real change in inclusive democracy; DAL will simply assist you in unlocking your digital potential.
- Explore and test digital solutions: Receive funding and support to identify the digital tools and approaches necessary to overcome persistent challenges or enhance your existing practices. This could involve strengthening your organizing, advocacy, and campaign work, or bolstering the organizational systems and capacities on which these activities rely.
Benefits
- Financial backing for participation and implementation: Secure a grant ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 USD to cover your expenses for participating in DAL and implementing your DAL pilot project.
- Structured framework for meaningful engagement: Engage with DAL through online collaboration platforms, virtual workshops, localized implementation activities, and at least one in-person workshop. This combination of settings and formats aims to maximize opportunities for engagement with the DAL team, peer learning, and community building.
- Documentation and knowledge sharing: Contribute to the development of case studies, infographics, videos, and other knowledge products that capture your approaches, successes, and lessons learned. Your experiences will be share through the DDI knowledge hub and broader CIVICUS strategic networks, supporting other civil society actors in their quest to expand civic and democratic freedoms.
- Showcase progress and network: Join a DAL achievement summit at the end of the initiative, as well as additional opportunities to engage with wider networks, including communities and events like I4C, Vuka!, RightsCon, and more. Engage with similar-minded colleagues, exchange accomplishments and obstacles, and promote partnerships to advance your efforts.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Digital Action Lab (DAL) welcomes applications from civil society organizations in the Global South dedicated to advancing inclusive democracy and civic space.
- Priority will be offer to organizations representing historically excluded groups, such as rural communities, indigenous peoples, women, youth, and the LGBT+ community, with a goal of comprising at least 50% of each cohort.
- Emphasis will be on organizations from countries with restricted civic space.
- The program seeks partners committed to developing and testing digital interventions to strengthen their organizing, advocacy, and campaign capabilities, as well as other essential organizational systems and capacities.
How To Apply For CIVICUS Digital Action Lab 2024
You can either apply for a position in the DAL or nominate another organization to apply by submitting their application.
For Additional information on CIVICUS Digital Action Lab, please visit the official website.
Application Deadline
January 10, 2024.
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