Are you a civic space defender interested in the impact of digital technology on your work? If so, we invite eligible civil society colleagues to apply to the Tech Camp for Civic Space Defenders organized by Stanford’s Global Digital Policy Incubator (GDPi) and the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL).

The Tech Camp will take place virtually each Tuesday and Thursday from July 13 to August 5, 2021. At the Tech Camp, 25 participants from OECD-DAC eligible countries will address issues including:

  • The effects of artificial intelligence on the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, and expression (“civic space”);
  • The growth of digital authoritarianism and its influence beyond state borders;
  • Disinformation and threats to free expression online; and
  • The rise of digital and biometric surveillance.

Program Costs

There is no charge for participation in the Tech Camp. Participants are expected to cover their time and any incidental costs they incur in connection with their Tech Camp participation.

Eligibility

Applicants must live and work in an OECD-DAC eligible country. In addition, they must work on civic space issues for a civil society organization.

Application Process

To apply to participate in the Tech Camp, please submit the following materials no later than midnight EDT on May 10, 2021.

1. A CV or biographical statement of no more than two pages;
2. A description of how you have worked to promote civic space (up to 150 words);
3. A description of current or upcoming digital laws or policies affecting civic space in your country (up to 200 words);
4. A statement of how you anticipate using knowledge gained at the Tech Camp to promote civic space in your country (up to 200 words);
5. A statement of how you intend to share the knowledge gained (up to 150 words); and
6. A confirmation that you are able to participate in all Tech Camp sessions, which will take place from 9:00am to 11:am US Pacific Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 13 to August 5. Please be sure to include this confirmation in your application.

Selection Process

Participants will be selected through a competitive application process. The selection process will be based on the quality of the application and the following criteria:

  • Compliance with this Announcement, including eligibility requirements;
  • The applicant’s experience promoting civic space;
  • The nature of the digital laws and policies affecting civic space in the
    applicant’s country;
  • The applicant’s plan to use and share knowledge gained at the Tech Camp; and
  • The applicant’s proficiency in spoken and written English.

Additionally, an effort will be made to ensure geographic and gender diversity, as well as representation of historically marginalized groups.

Applications should be submitted by email to techcamp@icnl.org. Incomplete or improperly submitted applications will not be considered. Selected applicants will be notified of their selection by May 31. Only successful applicants will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

This call for applications does not constitute an obligation or commitment of any kind by GDPi or ICNL, nor does it commit GDPi or ICNL to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an application.