The Ford Foundation has announced the launch of the Global Network for Social Justice and Digital Resilience to empower frontline organisations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
The announcement was made on 9th October on the foundation’s website.
This innovative endeavour, equipped with $15 million in seed funding, is geared toward enhancing the technical capabilities of civil society organisations across the Global South.
The primary mission of the Digital Resilience Network is to empower these organisations to harness the benefits of technology while mitigating its negative impacts, including online surveillance, censorship, and misinformation. This network is managed by an independent board, ensuring its impartial operation.
Over the last decade, technology has become increasingly sophisticated in curbing, excluding, and intimidating the work of social justice communities in the Global South. These communities, including those advocating for gender and environmental justice, have faced challenges ranging from the rise of spyware targeting human rights defenders to widespread disinformation campaigns and internet shutdowns. Online tactics have been weaponized to amplify polarisation, jeopardise elections, and undermine democratic processes.
Compounding the problem, technical support and consultation for civil society organisations have been predominantly concentrated in the Global North. This disparity has left civil society in the Global South without access to local technical experts who can effectively address the growing technological needs and demands of frontline social justice organisations.
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Catalysing Change through Digital Resilience
The Digital Resilience Network, which was officially unveiled at a side event during the United Nations Internet Governance Forum, seeks to rectify these challenges. It supports a group of technical support organisations based in the Global South that network, expedite knowledge sharing, and transfer technical capabilities and expertise to frontline civil society organisations. The network incorporates principles of equality, inclusion, diversity, and feminism into its processes. Its objectives include:
The network’s objective is to increase domestic and regional tech capacity for social justice organisations in the Global South while also boosting funding for bolstering digital resilience in social justice organizations.Enhancing global strategic collaboration between social justice and technology organisations.
Promoting diversity in the field of technology by empowering leaders who are women, non-binary, gender-nonconforming, people of colour, and from communities of colour.
Facilitating South-to-South peer learning among organisations dedicated to strengthening digital infrastructure and resilience.
A Vision for Social Equity
Alberto Cerda Silva, program officer of Ford Foundation’s Technology and Society program, emphasises the Global Network for Social Justice and Digital Resilience’s role in advancing social equity. Whether it’s addressing malicious software targeting civil society or creating opportunities for social justice communities to harness the benefits of technology, in-region technical support is indispensable. This initiative aligns with the belief that those closest to the challenge are closest to the solution, setting a philanthropic model for the future.
Network members have been at the forefront of digital resilience for years but have often lacked the necessary resources to address the multifaceted digital threats faced by civil society. Their work has encompassed everything from conducting threat intelligence to providing security support, including digital, legal, and physical elements. Their efforts have also extended to equipping disconnected communities with autonomous infrastructures and advancing digital inclusion for people with disabilities.
Ashnah Kalemera, program manager for the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa, underscores the vital need for a digital resilience network focused on the Global South. This initiative promotes South-to-South peer learning and the sharing of experiences from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. The opportunity to exchange knowledge regarding opportunities and challenges is a particularly exciting aspect of the initiative.
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The Inaugural Cohort
The Digital Resilience Network is supporting its initial cohort of organisations, all of which are based in the Global South. These organisations offer technical support to civil society organisations and include: Co-Creation Hub (Nigeria), Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (Uganda), Equity at the Core of Digital Resilience, The Citizen Lab (Canada), Derechos Digitales (Chile) and many others.
Paola Mosso, co-deputy director of The Engine Room, highlights the central role of equity in digital resilience. It revolves around an organisation’s capacity to design digital ecosystems that allow everyone to participate meaningfully. This entails maintaining infrastructures that are human and environment-centred, safe, and adaptable to ever-evolving contexts.
The Global Network for Social Justice and Digital Resilience represents a pivotal step toward enhancing digital resilience for social justice organisations in the Global South. By promoting local expertise and sharing knowledge across borders, it aspires to empower civil society to confront the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by an increasingly digital world.