Advocacy

Through the Digitalise Youth project, the Youth Democracy Cohort aims to contribute to digital civic engagement, protect online rights and address the challenges young people face in accessing digital spaces. By empowering youth activists and human rights defenders, the project advocates for digital rights at local, regional, and international levels. Specifically, it targets bodies such as ECOWAS and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to push for the ratification of the African Union Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection. 

The project will support content creators and develop a digital rights toolkit for advocacy campaigns. Through existing platforms such as the Youth Democracy Cohort and Open Government Partnership, Digitalise Youth will engage with policy and tech stakeholders to strengthen youth-led digital rights advocacy and contribute to a more inclusive digital landscape in Africa.

Open Digital Spaces

Facilitating and promoting an inclusive and safe digital space, by protecting it against cyber-attacks and discouraging government-imposed internet shutdowns, with a special consideration for marginalised groups.

Access to Information

Strengthening policies to uphold the right to access information online, transparency and integration into democratic governance through the targeting of accessibility and open data. 

Tackling disinformation

Supporting the development and implementation of  targeted measures to counter disinformation campaigns and strengthen digital resilience.

Civic Innovation for Improved Public Participation

Advocating for an enabling environment that welcomes digital innovation from civil society that is aimed at demystifying governance issues and expanding public participation.

Ethical and Inclusive AI Governance

Advocating for policies that promote the responsible and transparent use of AI and big data to enhance civic engagement, protect human rights, and address societal challenges while ensuring these technologies do not reinforce biases or undermine democratic processes.