Press Release – Tuesday, 09th December 2025: The Global South Alliance, a coalition of 26 digital rights organizations, launched today the second edition of the “Datafication and Democracy Fund” on December 9. The Fund will provide more US$ 72,000 to support research and advocacy projects focused on datafication and democracy to be implemented in 2026.
The Datafication and Democracy Fund was launched during the fourth edition of the Data Privacy Global Conference, organized in São Paulo, Brazil. The Global South Alliance is jointly managed by Data Privacy Brasil, Aapti Institute, and Paradigm Initiative. The members are Asociación por los Derechos Civiles, Bolo Bhi, Center for Communication and Governance, CIPESA, Derechos Digitales, Digital Rights Foundation, Dukingire Isi Yacu, Internet Bolivia, Pollicy, Research ICT Africa, Fundación Multitudes, InternetLab, Thraets, Jokkolabs Banjul, Aláfia Lab, Centre for Policy Alternatives, KICTANET, Tech Global Institute, Freedom Forum, TEDIC, Digital Access, Center for AI and Tech Innovation for Democracy and Masaar.
The call for proposals is open to non-profit, non-governmental organizations based in the Global South working on digital rights and related public policy issues. Previously supported organizations have addressed topics such as online child protection, data governance in electoral processes, biometric technologies in stadiums and large events, mandatory biometric data collection of migrants, and discriminatory surveillance and datafication practices.
According to the launch announcement, the Datafication and Democracy Fund “aims to finance research and public policy analysis projects that address critical questions arising from the impact of datafication on democracy.” The Alliance emphasizes that “datafication is a deep and complex process of social transformation: it shapes the provision of public services mediated by information technologies, the emergence of digital public infrastructures, the data-driven nature of elections, the reconfiguration of markets and platforms, and many aspects of civic life. Beyond deliberative processes and elections, datafication exacerbates democratic challenges such as transparency, due process, and respect for citizens’ autonomy.”
Selected applicants will receive grants of up to US$ 8,000 to support their research projects. Depending on the proposals submitted, between 8 and 12 projects will be funded. All funded projects must be carried out during 2026.
Applicants are required to submit:
- A one-page cover letter outlining the organization’s background, experience, and motivation for participating in the research program;
- A proposal of up to five pages detailing the topic, scope, methodology, expected results, and relevance of the project to digital rights and democracy in the Global South;
- A detailed budget, not exceeding US$ 8,000, specifying how resources will be allocated across the proposed project’s components.
Applications must be submitted in English by January 30th 2026, through the designated online form.
Ends
About PIN
Paradigm Initiative (PIN) connects under-served young Africans with digital opportunities and ensures digital rights for all. We have worked in communities across Nigeria since 2007 and across Africa since 2017, building experience, community trust, and an organisational culture that positions us as a leading non-governmental organisation in ICT for Development and digital rights on the continent.
We promote a rights-respecting continent through our team in subregional offices in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Our interventions are spread across more than 27 African countries. Paradigm Initiative pushes for an Internet that is open, accessible, and affordable to all.
Our programmes include a Life Skills, ICTs, Financial Literacy, and Entrepreneurship (LIFE) Training Programme, a digital readiness workshop for youth, and a Life at Schools Club Programme. PIN has also built online platforms such as Ayeta and Ripoti that educate and serve as safe spaces for reporting digital rights violations.
Source : paradigmhq
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