The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) has taken a significant stride toward ensuring a secure digital landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa with the introduction of the Tech Accountability Fund. This initiative, embedded within the eighth edition of the Africa Digital Rights Fund (ADRF), emerges as a crucial response to the tech-related challenges faced by civil society entities in the region. In collaboration with Digital Action, the fund aligns its objectives with the "Year of Democracy" in 2024, providing vital support for activities centered around tech accountability during electoral processes.
As Sub-Saharan African nations, including Comoros, Senegal, Mauritania, Rwanda, Mozambique, Ghana, Algeria, and others, gear up for elections in 2024, the focus on digital rights and platform accountability becomes more pronounced. The "Year of Democracy" underscores the essential role of electoral processes in building and sustaining democracy. However, with the increasing threats to information integrity and technology use in elections, there is a growing need for robust measures to counter tech harms.
Funding Priorities:
The Tech Accountability Fund places a spotlight on critical funding priorities, including advocacy, research, storytelling, and facilitating travel for under-resourced organizations. These priorities aim to empower organizations and coalitions to engage with decision-makers, conduct vital research on tech-related harms, share stories and investigations, and overcome barriers to participation in global and regional fora on tech accountability.
Online Gender-Based Violence:
One of the key areas of interest for the fund is addressing online gender-based violence, particularly against women politicians and women journalists. The fund recognizes the disproportionate impact of tech-related harms on marginalized and minority groups and prioritizes initiatives that address these concerns.
Network Disruptions, Content Moderation, and More:
The fund is open to supporting projects addressing various aspects of tech accountability, such as network disruptions, content moderation, microtargeting, political advertising, hate speech, electoral disinformation, and specific harms affecting freedom of expression and citizens' ability to participate in electoral processes.
Grant Details and Eligibility:
Grants ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 20,000 will be awarded, subject to demonstrated need. Cost-sharing is encouraged, and funding will be provided for periods between six and 12 months. Eligibility criteria emphasize accessibility to organizations and coalitions working on tech accountability in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a preference for those incorporating marginalized/minority groups.
In a digital landscape where challenges such as content moderation inadequacies, cultural insensitivity, and biased algorithms persist, the Tech Accountability Fund emerges as a beacon of hope. By supporting initiatives that champion digital rights, transparency, and accountability, the fund contributes significantly to the realization of a safer and more inclusive digital democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa. As the deadline for applications approaches on February 16, 2024, organizations are encouraged to seize this opportunity to shape the future of tech accountability in the region. Together, we can foster a digital environment that upholds democracy, protects rights, and ensures meaningful civic participation.
Deadline date: February 16, 2024
Donor: Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)
Grant Size: $10,000 to $100,000
For more information, visit CIPESA.
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