Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) Digital Rights Advancement Grants for Sub-Saharan African Countries 2018

Application Deadline: 9th August 2018 at 23h59 (GMT+1).

Eligible Countries: Sub-Saharan African Countries

About the Award: As part of this project, we are offering one-off 6-8 month grants of up to between GBP14,000 and GBP16,000 to organisations with backgrounds in defending and supporting the right to freedom of expression. The objective of the grants is to improve local access to legal assistance for online media and bloggers in order to advance digital rights and standards in online freedom of expression. The grants can be used for the following types of projects in East, West or Southern Africa:

• provide legal advice or support services;
• undertake advocacy activities on laws and/or policies that limit freedom of expression online, advocate for the implementation of court rulings that promote digital rights, or publicise new legal standards on digital rights;
• develop or advance an advocacy and/or strategic litigation coalition to reform laws and/or policies which limit freedom of expression online;
• build or strengthen regional relationships with digital rights advocacy groups;
• analyse laws, policies, and practices that infringe on journalists’ right to freedom of expression online and/or provide training in online freedom of expression and digital rights to journalists, bloggers, and independent media;
• research on, or monitoring of, violations of the right to freedom of expression online;
• other projects and activities may be considered but should be discussed with the Project Coordinator before application (see contact details below).

If required, MLDI can provide legal mentoring, and other forms of non-financial organisational support.

Type: Grants

Eligibility: To be considered, organisations must meet the following criteria:

• The grant is open to NGOs, law centres and independent media outlets registered in East Africa, West Africa, or Southern Africa;
• The organisation must have a background or demonstrable interest in advocacy, litigation, and/or provision of legal support;
• The organisation should have previous experience in the advancement and protection of freedom of expression in the country or region where it operates; and
• The organisation must have sufficient administrative and financial capacity to comply with MLDI’s reporting requirements.

Number of Awards: Limited

Value of Award:  up to between GBP14,000 and GBP16,000

Duration of Programme: one-off 6-8 month grants. Grants will start on 1 November 2018

How to Apply: Interested organisations are encouraged to submit a concept note though MLDI’s grant application portal. 
Applicants will be asked to provide the following information:

• Organisation’s name and address;
• The names of the head of the organisation, board chair, and treasurer;
• The total amount of money requested from MLDI;
• The organisation’s annual budget;
• A summary of expected outcomes; and
• A summary of proposed activities and outputs.

Shortlisted organisations will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Visit Programme Webpage for Details

Award Providers: MLDI