CLOSED – CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS: Combating Russian Disinformation and the Kremlin’s Hybrid Warfare Campaigns Opportunities

EDYN HQ is pleased to announce a call for project proposals aimed at addressing Russian disinformation from a youth-led perspective. We are seeking innovative projects that explore strategies to counter and mitigate the impact of the Kremlin’s hybrid warfare, as well as develop resilient frameworks against cyber threats. Projects will target young audiences and/or members’ local communities.

Important information:

• The budget limit for each project is $5,000.
• Only EDYN Members and Alumni can apply for funding.
• Each project proposal must involve at least two applicants from two different EDYN countries. More members from the same chapter can apply, but the maximum number of chapters involved is two.
• Implementation period: 8-12 months, starting in fall/winter 2023.
• EDYN HQ will consider initiatives including:
  • Research projects culminating in reports monitoring human rights violations and civil society’s role in preserving a safe environment for communities at risk;
  • Workshops and trainings;
  • Advocacy campaigns;
  • Online awareness campaigns;
  • Other;
  • Conferences and roundtables will not be considered as viable project ideas.
• Although not required, collaborative proposals involving partnerships with third party organisations are encouraged.
• The number of successfully selected microgrants will be subject to external funding.

Application process:

• To submit the project, the member must download the project proposal form HERE, fill it out with the other team member(s), and then one team member will email the application form to EDYN HQ’s Partnerships & Outreach Manager (Carlotta Serioli) at [email protected].
• Only applications that deploy the designated application template will be considered.

Important Dates:

• Proposal submission deadline: Wednesday July 12^th, 23:59 CET
• Q&A session: Tuesday, June 27, at 5pm CET (link: https://meet.google.com/jif-dehf-crq)
• Announcement of selected projects: Wednesday, August 2^nd

Contact Information: For any inquiries or further information, please contact [email protected].

Evaluation and Selection Process: All submitted project proposals will undergo a rigorous evaluation process by EDYN HQ staff, the Leadership Council, and EDYN’s implementing partners (NDI and IRI). Proposals will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Alignment with the call’s objectives and focus areas;
• Clarity and feasibility of the project plan and methodology;
• Innovativeness and potential impact of the proposed project;
• Qualifications and expertise of the project team.

Objectives:

• Empowering young people and their local communities to identify the tactics and techniques employed in Russian hybrid warfare campaigns, particularly online;
• Developing frameworks to assess disinformation’s impact on EDYN members’ local communities and their long-term impact;
• Creating effective strategies, tailored to a youth audience, to counter and debunk Russian disinformation narratives;
• Enhancing the cybersecurity knowledge and skills of young individuals to safeguard against Moscow’s hybrid cyber threats. Among others, this can be done through media skills trainings, by advocating for government reforms to include this topic in schools curricula, by increasing the public’s access to media literacy programs, etc.

Focus Areas – Proposed projects should align with one or more of the following focus areas, or with other ones of the member’s preference so long as they remain on-topic:

• Youth-Led Analysis of Russian Disinformation: Projects focusing on in-depth analysis and research of Russian disinformation campaigns, including identification of key actors, narratives, dissemination channels, and the psychological impact on targeted (youth) populations.
• Youth-Driven Debunking Disinformation: Projects aimed at empowering young people to debunk and expose Russian disinformation narratives through fact-checking, media monitoring, and dissemination of accurate information tailored to a youth audience and their local communities.
• Strengthening Youth Cybersecurity Awareness: Projects focusing on equipping young individuals with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital landscape safely, detect hybrid cyber threats, and protect themselves and their communities from cyber-attacks initiated by the Kremlin.
• Youth Engagement and Resilience: Projects aimed at engaging young people in raising awareness about Russian disinformation tactics, fostering critical thinking, and building resilient communities that can effectively resist manipulative campaigns.