Global Network Initiative invites applications for the Emerging Voices Fellowship Programme for organizations in 2021. The fellowship program seeks to further online freedom of expression and privacy around the world by facilitating collaboration and conversation among diverse stakeholders.

The Sustaining Multistakeholder Networks for Internet Freedom (SuNI) project aims to protect and advance online freedom of expression and privacy by establishing and enhancing connections between civil society and ICT companies. The goal is to improve civil society’s ability to advocate directly with large technology companies in order to improve those companies’ policies, as well as to foster greater coordination and collaboration between civil society and ICT companies on shared priorities. The project is an extension of a previous iteration of the project, Enhancing Multistakeholder Collaboration on Internet Freedom, which was previously conducted in coordination with Internews.

The current and previous iterations of the project build upon GNI’s multistakeholder model and convening structures to foster collaborative advocacy between companies and civil society in support of laws and policies that protect and enhance freedom of expression and privacy.

Worth of Award

• Three one-year fellowship grants of $10,000 USD each will be awarded to organizations based in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Fellowships include funding to participate in four GNI Board meetings and networking events and engage in GNI activities, including but not limited to: policy and learning calls on digital rights issues, development of policy analysis papers, and attendance at regional multistakeholder meetings.
• Fellows will work with GNI’s diverse membership, including information and communications technology (ICT) companies and human rights and press freedom non-governmental organizations to foster shared learning, advocacy, and contribute their own experience to GNI’s unique multistakeholder platform.

Eligibility

GNI welcomes applications from established organizations as well as newcomers to the digital rights space. To be considered, applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Be based in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, or sub-Saharan Africa.
• Demonstrated experience or interest and aptitude for working on freedom of expression and privacy issues in the ICT sector.
• Ability to attend three in-person meetings (health and travel restrictions permitting) and one remote (call-in) event, as well as preparation calls.
• Willingness to designate one member of the applying organization to be the main point of contact for this fellowship.

Recommended Qualifications

In addition to the aforementioned required qualifications, applicants with experience in one or more of GNI’s four policy priorities, should strongly consider applying, these are:

• Network disruptions
• Intermediary liability
• Surveillance
• Jurisdictional assertions and limits

How to Apply

• To apply, complete the form by the deadline.
• Applications should be submitted by those individuals who would represent their organization throughout the fellowship.

Deadline: Applications close 5 pm ET /10 pm UTC on December 30, 2020.

Click here for more details and to apply