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About Digitalise Youth

The Digitalise Youth Project, part of the Digital Democracy Initiative, aims to address the shrinking civic space and rampant disinformation in the Sahel and neighbouring regions by empowering local youth activists and civil society organisations. Launched in January 2025, it focuses on enhancing digital skills, promoting civic tech solutions, and raising awareness about online political engagement. By connecting human rights defenders and the tech community, the project equips young activists and media organisations with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital ecosystem, protect themselves from surveillance, and fight against disinformation. In addition to its capacity-building work, Digitalise Youthโ€™s advocacy efforts seek to promote digital rights at local, regional, and international levels.

How Digitalise Youth strives for online freedom

Implementation Countries

The Digitalise Youth project will be carried out in 14 countries in the Sahel and neighbouring regions: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Togo.

The implementation of the project and the level of engagement will be adapted according to the local context and geopolitical environment to mitigate potential risks.

Partners

European Partnership for Democracy (EPD),AfricTivistes, Code for Africa (CfA), CFI Media Development, World Scout Bureau Africa Regional Office, Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF)

With the contribution of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD).

Donors

Powered by Digital Democracy Initiative.
Co-funded by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, European Union and Norway

Illustrations by Okeno Adem for the Digital Democracy Initiative