Hivos/Digital Defenders Partnership

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

The Digital Defenders Partnership (DDP) is an initiative originated by the Freedom Online Coalition, a group of 26 countries committed to advancing human rights on-line. DDP promotes freedom of speech and right to privacy, through provision of financial and other assistance to human rights activists, journalists and bloggers in internet repressive and transitional environments, with a focus in Central Asia, South East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. DDP strengthens civil society capacity for emergency response against cyber threats (censorship, surveillance, harassment etc.), mostly by governments, through local and global action. It provides grants ranging from small-scale emergency assistance to larger strategic support to civil society entities. Finnish support is earmarked towards activities and projects in ODA-eligible countries. DDP has received funding from Finland in 2015-2017. During this period, DDP together with its strategic partners built the capacity of individuals and organizations: they supported 5069 people and 641 organizations in 40 countries around the world. DDP offered for example. Emergency Advisors in various situations and continued to build Rapid Responders networks globally and regionally and maintained networks of trusted operators to mitigate digital emergencies. DDP funded critical Internet users (organizations and individuals) and responded to sudden threats.