Call for Proposals: Digital Rights Exchange Program

The Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) has launched the Digital Rights Exchange Program to strengthen collaboration between Global North and Global South civil society organizations working on digital rights and internet governance. The program will select three pairs of organizations to participate in a fully supported exchange focused on policy learning, advocacy, and international collaboration.

Program Overview

The Digital Rights Exchange Program aims to strengthen international cooperation among civil society organizations working to advance digital rights, internet governance, and inclusive digital policies.

The initiative supports partnerships between organizations from the Global North and the Global South, enabling them to exchange knowledge, address shared digital rights challenges, and develop joint policy advocacy strategies.

Each selected partnership will participate in a three-day in-person exchange, collaborate on policy recommendations, and share lessons learned with the wider civil society community.

Program at a Glance

• Program: Digital Rights Exchange Program
• Organizer: Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE)
• Supporting Organizations: Forus and the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law
• Number of Selected Partnerships: Three
• Participants per Organization: Up to two
• Exchange Duration: Three days
• Eligible Applicants: Pairs of civil society organizations
• Geographic Scope: Global North and Global South

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Strengthen collaboration between Global North and Global South civil society organizations.
• Promote knowledge exchange on digital rights and internet governance.
• Build organizational capacity through peer learning.
• Support joint policy advocacy.
• Develop practical policy recommendations.
• Encourage long-term international partnerships.
• Strengthen global civil society engagement in digital policy processes.

Priority Themes

Projects should focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Digital rights.
• Internet governance.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Digital inclusion.
• Encryption.
• Freedom of expression.
• Gender and online rights.
• Privacy.
• Data protection.

Understanding the Program

Digital technologies increasingly influence human rights, democracy, governance, and access to information around the world.

The Digital Rights Exchange Program provides an opportunity for organizations from different regions to jointly examine policy challenges, exchange practical experiences, and develop collaborative advocacy strategies that respond to emerging digital issues.

Rather than supporting research alone, the program emphasizes practical collaboration, policy engagement, and long-term partnerships.

How the Exchange Works

Each selected pair of organizations will:

• Identify a shared digital rights challenge.
• Develop common learning objectives.
• Participate in a three-day in-person exchange.
• Meet with relevant stakeholders where appropriate.
• Develop a joint policy advocacy strategy.
• Prepare recommendations linked to an existing policy process.
• Share lessons learned with other civil society organizations.

The exchange is designed to encourage practical collaboration and strengthen international advocacy efforts.

Financial Support

The program provides financial support for:

• Round-trip international airfare.
• Accommodation.
• Daily allowance (per diem).
• Venue rental where required.
• Coordination and logistical support from Forus and the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law.

Funding is available for up to two participants from each organization.

Expenses Not Covered

Applicants should note that the following costs are not covered:

• Visa application fees.
• Travel insurance.
• Unplanned travel expenses.
• Any additional costs not specifically listed under the program’s financial support.

Organizations should plan for these expenses when preparing their participation.

Why This Program Matters

Digital policy decisions increasingly affect privacy, freedom of expression, access to information, online safety, and democratic participation.

This exchange program helps civil society organizations:

• Build stronger international partnerships.
• Learn from diverse policy experiences.
• Improve digital rights advocacy.
• Strengthen organizational capacity.
• Influence national and international digital policy.
• Promote inclusive and rights-based digital governance.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must apply as pairs of civil society organizations, consisting of:

• One organization from the Global North.
• One organization from the Global South.

Organizations must:

• Have demonstrated experience in digital rights or internet governance.
• Be engaged in policy or advocacy work.
• Have an existing collaborative relationship.
• Demonstrate the ability to work across different cultural and policy contexts.
• Commit to all program activities and reporting requirements.

Participants should normally have been affiliated with their organizations for at least one year.

Program Responsibilities

Selected organizations will be expected to:

• Participate in preparatory coordination activities.
• Attend regular meetings with program coordinators.
• Complete the in-person exchange before the end of 2026.
• Submit a joint exchange report within one month after the visit.
• Organize a knowledge-sharing activity within two months of completing the exchange.

Expected Outcomes

The program aims to achieve outcomes such as:

• Stronger international civil society partnerships.
• Improved policy advocacy strategies.
• Increased knowledge sharing.
• Enhanced organizational capacity.
• Practical recommendations for digital policy.
• Greater collaboration on global digital rights challenges.
• Long-term international cooperation.

How to Apply

Organizations should follow these steps:

1. Identify an eligible partner organization from the Global North or Global South.
2. Confirm that both organizations meet the eligibility requirements.
3. Identify a shared digital rights or internet governance challenge.
4. Develop a joint concept for the exchange and policy advocacy activities.
5. Demonstrate your organizations’ existing collaboration and relevant experience.
6. Commit to completing all exchange, reporting, and knowledge-sharing activities.
7. Submit the completed application before the official deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without an eligible partner organization.
• Proposing projects unrelated to digital rights or internet governance.
• Failing to demonstrate previous collaboration.
• Ignoring reporting and follow-up commitments.
• Providing unclear policy objectives.
• Submitting incomplete applications.

Tips for a Strong Application

To strengthen your application:

• Clearly explain the shared digital rights challenge.
• Demonstrate an established partnership between both organizations.
• Present realistic advocacy objectives.
• Show experience in policy engagement.
• Explain how the exchange will create lasting collaboration.
• Include practical knowledge-sharing plans.
• Demonstrate the potential for long-term impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Digital Rights Exchange Program?

Applications must be submitted jointly by one civil society organization from the Global North and one from the Global South with demonstrated experience in digital rights or internet governance.

How many partnerships will be selected?

The program will select three organizational partnerships.

How many participants can each organization send?

Funding is available for up to two participants from each organization.

What expenses are covered?

The program covers round-trip airfare, accommodation, per diem, venue rental where applicable, and coordination support.

Which expenses are not covered?

Visa fees, insurance, unexpected travel expenses, and costs not specifically listed by the program are not covered.

What happens after the exchange?

Selected organizations must submit a joint report within one month and organize a knowledge-sharing activity within two months after completing the exchange.

What topics can the exchange focus on?

Eligible themes include digital rights, internet governance, artificial intelligence, digital inclusion, encryption, freedom of expression, gender and online rights, privacy, and data protection.

Conclusion

The Digital Rights Exchange Program provides an important opportunity for civil society organizations from the Global North and Global South to strengthen international collaboration on digital rights and internet governance. By supporting policy exchange, peer learning, and joint advocacy, the program helps organizations build stronger partnerships, develop practical policy solutions, and contribute to more inclusive, secure, and rights-based digital governance worldwide.