Paradigm Initiative under the Data Rights and Enforcement through Community Trust (DIRECT) project is calling on small organisations who work with disadvantaged/marginalised groups to develop and implement a 3 month data rights advocacy plan
About DIRECT
- The DIRECT (Data Rights and Enforcement through Community Trust) project is an initiative led by Internews through its network of partners in Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia to advocate for rights-respecting data protection policy, support community-driven action to defend personal data, and expand an international network of organizations to jointly press for more accountable, independent, and empowered institutions to defend users’ data. Internews’ activities are funded by an award from the US Department of State (DOS).
Program Description
As a part of the DIRECT project, Paradigm Initiative in Nigeria is carrying out an advocacy campaign that seeks to center the realities of marginalized communities and new stakeholders within data protection policies and advocacy for data rights. Towards these goals, DIRECT features a grassroots advocacy grant pool designed to provide support to diversify the organizations and perspectives working on and engaged with data protection in Nigeria.
This grants pool is targeted specifically at organizations representing marginalized or traditionally underrepresented groups. The goal of this grants-based initiative is to engage key communities to build advocacy campaigns focused on direct advocacy with policymakers, awareness raising, and the production of community-centered stories of impact that highlight the potential risks associated with weak or nonexistent data protection legislation.
Each grant will feed into Paradigm Initiative’s larger advocacy efforts under DIRECT, raising awareness about data protection and promoting policy that directly responds to and considers the needs of a diverse coalition of actors— particularly for those who normally do not have a seat at the table.
Application Information and Submission Instructions
Paradigm Initiative and Internews will award three grants for grassroots advocacy-oriented activities, particularly those that aim to expand the organizations and perspectives working on and engaged with data protection in Nigeria(only one grant per geo-political zone will be selected). Potential projects include:
- Collected video testimonials from impacted communities on how/why data protection is important to them
- Short research reports demonstrating harms faced by these communities and existing policy gaps
- Awareness raising campaigns to improve knowledge about data rights within key communities
- Trainings for key communities to improve knowledge about existing laws and data rights
- Direct lobbying campaigns to bring key communities to speak to policymakers about their experiences
- Podcasts, magazines, art, music or creative efforts to illustrate the importance of data protection
- A compulsory end of project report that summarizes, communities reached, data rights harms faced by these communities, recommendations and advocacy impact
This list is not exhaustive & we encourage the submission of creative proposals that feature innovative approaches to advocacy.
Internews anticipates subgrants awarded under this mechanism to have a performance period of 3 months.
Selected grants are limited to eligible organizations (specific eligibility criteria below) that represent or regularly engage with marginalized or traditionally underrepresented groups and have previous experience carrying out advocacy activities.
To apply, you must submit the following documents:
- CAC registration certificate
- A cover letter (no more than 1 page) detailing the structure of the organization, its mission, experience, and its interest in the program outlined above, provide links where necessary.
- A proposal not more than 4 pages covering the following elements:
- Intended project and scope
- Intended community of focus and audience (this could include women, LGBTQ groups, people with disabilities, specific geographic, religious or ethnic communities, rural or agricultural groups, or similar)
- Project overview, describing how the proposed project fits the key requirements and overall objectives of this initiative
- Key objectives of the project
- Project methodology and structure (high-level work plan including specific roles and responsibilities)
- Initial indicators of success and methods to assess impact (how will you verify if the project is successful)
- Key project risks and proposed mitigation strategies
- Timeline (no more than 3 months)
- Proposed detailed budget between $1,500 - $3,500 USD using the provided budget template
All submissions are to be sent to Paradigm Initiative email or Application form by the call for proposal submission deadline.
Applications are due no later than July 31st, 2024 .
Eligibility and Application Evaluation
Organizations applying for this opportunity must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a local independent and registered organization in Nigeria
- Be in good standing in performance and reporting under previous Internews subgrants, if applicable
- Represent or regularly engage with marginalized or traditionally underrepresented groups including Persons with disabilities, rural communities, tribal, ethnic or linguistic minorities, sexual minorities etc.
- Have experience carrying out advocacy or awareness raising campaigns, preferably around digital rights. (You do not need to be an expert in data protection)
- Not be listed with active exclusions on the UN Security Designation List, Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, System for Award Management (SAM), or Internews List of Debarred Subrecipients
Proposals from qualified organizations will be evaluated by Paradigm Initiative and Internews via the following selection criteria:
- Quality of Program Idea (project uniqueness and innovation; inclusion of marginalized or traditionally underrepresented groups; potential reach/engagement; etc.)
- Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives (clear plan for development of deliverables and dissemination within relevant communities; reasonable timeline; etc.)
- Cost Effectiveness (reasonable budget which maximizes resources available; evaluators will consider proportionality and reasonability, quantity and complexity of work, and duration of the project; etc.)
- Program Monitoring & Evaluation (clear metrics and methods for assessing whether the initiative is successful; proper resources dedicated to M&E; etc.)
- Institution’s Record and Capacity (previous experience in project management; relevant capacity related to advocacy and awareness raising; experience preparing similar content; etc.)
A notice of selection of the application is not to be construed as a subgrant award. Once the selection is confirmed, a final subgrant agreement will be negotiated and signed with the successful applicant, subject to prime funder approval, and successful vetting of eligibility.
Proposal budgets will be reviewed in accordance with, and selected subrecipients’ costs will be subject to, the cost principles that apply to them to assure reasonableness, allocability, and allowability:
- Not for Profit organizations: 2CFR200 Subpart E, Cost Principles
- For Profit organizations: 48CFR31.2 Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and 48CFR731.2
The following regulations and provisions, at minimum, will apply to subawards issued as a result of this RFA.
- 2CFR200 and 2CFR600 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards
- US Department of State Standard Terms and Conditions
Timelines and Stages
Stage 1: Registration and Application
- Start Date - June 1, 2024.
- Duration and End Date - 4 weeks. Ends July 18, 2024
- Design Reviews - July 19th to July 25th, 2024
- Notice to Qualifying Designers - July 26th, 2024
Stage 2: Presentation and Defence
- Virtual Presentation and Defence of Design Concept - July 31st, 2024
Announcement of Winners: August 2nd, 2024
How to Participate
- Register for the hackathon here.
- Review the following:
- Ayeta.africa website
- Ayeta game
- Ayeta digital rights toolkit (Download the Ayeta toolkit on ayeta.africa).
- Take up the challenge of redesigning the Ayeta website and game and infusing some of the toolkit content in your design (you can also introduce new games in your design).
- Submit your entry by June 28, 2024. You will be required to input your design concept, the ideas you considered as well as why you chose the concept you designed, this will be part of your defence if you proceed to the second stage.
- You will need to submit the prototype (this is compulsory) Figma link as well as the design link.
- The best ten designers will be contacted by the team for a virtual presentation to answer a few questions about the design concept.
For further questions, please email Paradigm Initiative at apply@paradigmhq.org.