Call for Proposals: Countering Mis- and Disinformation in Elections

The interventions will last between three to six months and focus on the broad topics of countering mis- and disinformation and supporting electoral integrity using digital tools – civil society monitoring of elections using digital tools and approaches, advocacy and mobilising for improved civic participation and engagement in the electoral process especially for women, girls, youths and other marginalised groups using digital approaches.

The Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI), Enable and Amplify Project, led by CIVICUS in partnership with Global Focus, aims to help expand and protect inclusive democracy and civic space through the improved use of digital technology for civic engagement. The project focuses on supporting local civil society actors operating in restrictive contexts in global south countries.

The civic space and democratic context across Venezuela, Tunisia, Ghana and Mozambique is marked by challenges related to mis- and disinformation, electoral integrity, and low civic engagement, especially among marginalized groups. To address these challenges, civil society partners will lead a three to six-month implementation of interventions aimed at countering misinformation, supporting electoral integrity through digital tools, and mobilising marginalised groups for enhanced civic participation.

Objective

• The objective of the assignment is to support civil society organisations in Venezuela, Tunisia, Ghana, and Mozambique to lead interventions to promote electoral integrity, countering misinformation and disinformation, and enhance civic participation and engagement in the electoral process, with a focus on marginalised groups.

What they need?

• The Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI) team at CIVICUS is seeking experienced and knowledgeable civil society organisations in Tunisia, Venezuela, Ghana, and Mozambique (one in each country) to lead the implementation of pre-, during and post-election related interventions. The interventions will last between three to six months and focus on countering mis and disinformation and supporting electoral integrity using digital tools – civil society monitoring of elections using digital tools and approaches, advocacy and mobilising for improved civic participation and engagement in the electoral process especially for women, girls, youths and other marginalised groups using digital approaches.
• They are open to accepting joint proposals from two partner organisations delivering the process together. The grant in each country will focus on the following:
  • Countering Mis- and Disinformation:
    • Conduct a comprehensive assessment of prevalent misinformation and disinformation threats and patterns related to elections in the country of application.
    • Develop and implement fact-checking initiatives.
    • Create and disseminate counter-narratives to combat misinformation.
    • Collaborate with social media platforms to flag and remove false information.
  • Supporting Electoral Integrity:
    • Utilise digital tools for civil society monitoring of elections.
    • Develop and implement election observer training programmes based on the unique tools developed.
    • Collaborate with electoral management bodies to enhance transparency and accountability.
  • Advocacy and Mobilisation:
    • Design and implement advocacy campaigns to promote civic participation and engagement.
    • Develop and disseminate inclusive and diverse messaging to reach marginalised groups.
    • Collaborate with various civil society organisations to amplify messaging.
  • Others 
    • Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and identify lessons learned.
    • Disseminate findings and recommendations through various channels to inform future electoral processes.
    • Continue advocacy efforts to sustain momentum for improved civic participation and engagement beyond the election period.

Deliverables

• Monthly progress reports.
• Assessment report on prevalent misinformation and disinformation threats and patterns in the proposed country of intervention.
• Fact-checking and counter-narrative content and strategy.
• Training materials and reports.
• Advocacy campaign materials and reports.
• Final project report on effectiveness or otherwise of interventions, findings, lessons learnt, recommendations and strategies for sustainability of interventions.

Eligibility Criteria

• Interested applicants must:
  • Be a local civil society organisation based in Tunisia, Venezuela, Ghana or Mozambique.
  • Have expertise in and a proven track record of successfully delivering interventions related to elections and countering disinformation.
  • Have an extensive network of and direct experience working with civil society, including DDI target groups in the regions where they are applying.
  • Have extensive national and sub-national project implementation experience and reach.
  • Be formal/legally registered organisations.
  • Have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. While selected partners will implement all the work in the relevant local languages in their region, they will communicate and submit all deliverables to CIVICUS in English.
  • Applications made by a consortium of organisations from each eligible country that join forces to pool expertise, reach a wider audience and deliver a more comprehensive process.
  • Direct experience working on the nexus between digital/tech for good and inclusive democracy and for promoting democratic practices in election processes.

For more information, visit CIVICUS.