The Digital Freedom Fund 2024 Application – The Digital Freedom Fund supports strategic litigation on digital rights in Europe that contributes to advancing human rights in the digital context. See answers to our frequently asked questions here.
- Eligibility check request deadline: 15 July 2024 23:59 CEST
- Full application submission deadline: 23 July 2024 23:59 CEST
Make sure you scroll down to read more information to prepare your application and click here to see more detail about how to submit your application.
Our Programme Officer, Thomas, will host a series of “ask us anything” calls at the following times:
- 23 May 11:00 CEST
- 5 June 12:00 CEST
- 27 June 11:00 CEST
If you would like to join, click the envelope below to write to Thomas to register your attendance and get a link to the call.
Thematic focus areas
Advance individuals’ ability to exercise their right to privacy
Examples are cases that:
- Protect and safeguard individuals against unjustified government surveillance
- Clarify the scope of protection of personal data under the GDPR
- Enforce consumers’ rights in relation to the unauthorised collection and sharing of personal data
Some successful cases we have supported so far include, Data breaches by UK Secret Service MI5, Data protection violations by data brokers, Extraction of asylum seeker mobile data in Germany and UK Police “digital strip search”
Protect and promote the free flow of information online
Examples are cases that:
- Challenge the unjustified blocking, filtering and removal of online content, platforms or services
- Ensure that online content is protected against the illegitimate use of copyright claims
- Ensure that net neutrality and the principle of equal access to the internet is promoted and respected in practice
Some successful cases we have supported so far include, Misuse of copyright claims in Germany to stifle freedom of information, Facebook’s private censorship, and Women’s rights website blocked in Spain
Ensure accountability, transparency and the adherence to human rights standards in the use and design of technology
Examples are cases that:
- Ensure the respect for human rights in the application of technology by law enforcement, such as in the context of predictive policing
- Maximise transparency in algorithmic decision making and profiling by government and private actors
- Set standards to protect individuals against the discriminatory use of technology
Some successful cases we have supported so far include, The “SyRI” welfare fraud risk-scoring algorithm, Secret algorithms and hidden data flows violating rights of “gig workers”, Access to government algorithms in Poland, and UK Home Office visa application streaming algorithm
We also welcome applications for projects that fall outside these general thematic focus areas if they can contribute to advancing the respect for human rights in the digital sphere. Cases need to have the potential for impact extending beyond the parties directly involved in the case and for bringing about legislative, policy or social change.
Check out more examples of the cases we are supporting on our case studies page.
Grant application criteria
Digital rights
What does DFF consider “digital rights”?
DFF works with a broad definition of digital rights. We consider digital rights to be human rights as applicable in the digital sphere. The digital sphere covers both physically constructed spaces, such as infrastructure and devices, and spaces that are virtually constructed, such as online identities and communities.
Geographical scope
DFF accepts grant applications concerning all Council of Europe Member States.
Who can apply for The Digital Freedom Fund 2024
We will consider applications from digital rights advocates (e.g. NGOs and other entities that pursue a public interest objective), pro bono lawyers, and other litigators seeking to protect and advance digital rights in Europe.
We fund not just digital rights organisations, but also provide support to racial, social, feminist, queer, environmental, migrant rights and economic justice movements and organisations working on digital rights.
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Grant size
As litigators work with different operational models and each case has different dimensions and complexities, grant amounts requested vary. Rather than working with a fixed case support fee, DFF will evaluate each case on its own merits in light of both the general grantmaking criteria and the principle of cost-efficiency.
Between 2020 and 2023, our annual grants budget was between EUR 600,000 and EUR 800,000, and we approved 15-20 applications per year.
So far the average size of a litigation track support grant is around EUR 50,000 and the average size of a pre-litigation research support grant is around EUR 30,000. We have approved grants as low as EUR 3,000, and some over EUR 100,000.
For more Information: Visit the wbesite for The Digital Freedom Fund 2024 Application
