Grants to Strengthen Information Integrity in Kosovo

Deadline: 18-Sep-23

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking applications to Strengthen the capacity of youth from diverse ethnic backgrounds in Kosovo to address mis/disinformation and gendered mis/disinformation, promote information integrity, and embrace diversity.

This project aims to address the issue of misinformation and disinformation in Kosovo by empowering young women and men activists, and youth and women’s organizations with necessary skills and tools to collect data, raise awareness and expose false information, including digital content targeting girls and women. Given the impact of mis/disinformation on long-standing tensions and legacy of conflict, the project will also engage young people as agents of change in building positive peace and contributing to social cohesion and governance and promoting overall information integrity. Improving information integrity in Kosovo requires the expansion of efforts by the civil society and institutions to enhance critical thinking, particularly among young people.

The project will focus on addressing misinformation and disinformation including on gendered disinformation and respond to gender-based discrimination, sexism, and misogyny in media as well as ethnically-based discrimination – from an intersectional perspective (different gender, inter-ethnic relations, and the integrity of those in most vulnerable situations, such as women and men among Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, people with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities). The inclusive approach will ensure to receive inputs and contribution from all communities, which is key to encounter the issue of mis/disinformation beyond participation.

Objectives and Expected Outputs/Deliverables

• This initiative will aim to strengthen capacities of 100 young women and men (18-29 years old) to identify fake news and counter mis/disinformation, including gendered mis/disinformation and sexist hate speech. It will also support the development of youth-led (digital) solutions to tackle mis/disinformation, with an extra focus on understanding the misogynist roots of mis/disinformation by exploring concepts such as gender equality, gender-based online violence and stereotyping, and raising awareness of genderbased digital threats. The intervention will include a combination of training, networking, advocacy/awareness campaigning (including social media) and developing youth-led solutions, while also seeking synergies with other relevant activities in the project.
• UNDP is looking for a partner NGO who implement this activity of the project will be expected to train young people on how to identify and address misinformation and disinformation, and how to challenge and counter misogyny and gendered mis/disinformation? Through the development and promotion of digital tools/measures/solutions that detect and counter false information, the training is expected to empower and support youth as influencers in tackling the negative effects of mis/disinformation, including gendered mis/disinformation, online gender-based violence, misogyny, hate speech, and gender inequality.
• By providing training of youth on media literacy, developing critical skills to identify false information, supporting platforms to research and counter mis/disinformation, empowering youth to tackle gendered dis/misinformation, and voicing youth perspectives and solutions, this training will contribute positively to enhanced civic engagement and active participation of young women and men in improving information integrity and media literacy in Kosovo and contribute to social cohesion and gender equality.
• The partner NGO will be expected to document the bootcamp activities, the participants learning experiences and generated initiatives through case studies, stories, videos, photos etc.
• Deliverables:
  • Deliverable 1: Comprehensive methodology formulation to successfully organize bootcamps, including participant selection criteria, curriculum development, expert engagement, and implementation plans. Participant Selection: Conduct an open call to recruit 100 participants aged 18 to 30, who represent diverse ethnic backgrounds, regions, and social demographics. Special efforts should be taken to achieve gender balance and inclusive representation. Curriculum Development: Create a comprehensive curriculum focusing on media literacy, critical thinking, and information verification. The curriculum should also incorporate gender-sensitive discussions and strategies for combating mis/disinformation. Expert Facilitator Recruitment: Identify and engage facilitators with proven expertise in media literacy, gender equality, and information integrity. These facilitators will play a crucial role in conducting interactive sessions, leading discussions, and coordinating group activities. Implementation Plan: Outline the structure and format of the bootcamps, featuring interactive workshops, roleplaying exercises, and case studies to encourage active participation and deepen attendees’ comprehension of the subject matter.
  • Deliverable 2: Organize two multi-community bootcamps, each lasting two days, bringing together 100 young women and men from various ethnic backgrounds to learn, deliberate and provide solutions to addressing mis/disinformation, including gendered mis/disinformation, hate speech, community divisions, and gender inequality. The bootcamps will focus on enhancing media literacy of young participants, while also supporting them to develop and deliver youth-led solutions (under deliverable 2 below) to counter gendered mis/disinformation, promote information integrity and embrace diversity.
  • Deliverables 3: Develop four youth-led initiatives (generated through the second bootcamp) aiming to research, raise awareness and address mis/disinformation related to hate speech, including gendered mis/disinformation. The initiatives will be selected by a joint panel composed by UNDP and the NGO and will receive small scale grants (up to 3000 USD) for implementation and mentorship support.
  • Deliverable 4: Prepare a final report that summarizes the key findings and takeaways from the bootcamps, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from the initiatives. The report should also include recommendations coming out of participants for future activities in the field of Information Integrity.

Funding Information

• The total proposed amount for the activity should not exceed EUR 45,500 for direct interventions for all four (4) deliverables which includes micro grants for youth-led initiatives (Deliverable 3). The administrative costs must not exceed 15% of the total budget.
• The amount in the proposal should be commensurate with the organization’s administrative and financial management capabilities.

Eligibility Criteria

• The parameters that will determine whether the NGO is eligible to be considered by UNDP will be based on the following criteria:
  • Be legally registered as NGO/ CSO in Kosovo and have in possession a valid registration certificate.
  • Demonstrate that its mandate and founding document are in line with the activities as per ToR Requirements.
  • A proven track record of experience in the implementation of similar/related type of activities (at least 3 years), such as democracy events, assemblies, workshops, focus groups, etc.
  • Knowledge and experience working on youth empowerment, gender equality, human security, social cohesion and peacebuilding is a distinct advantage.
  • Experience in engaging with different communities through coordination and organization with similar activities and above-mentioned area of focus.
  • Previous experience in working with international organizations/ donors should be considered as an advantage.
• Key qualifications of the staff:
  • Key project management team should have relevant experience in related fields for a minimum of three (3) years.
  • Key staff should have excellent oral and written communication skills in Albanian and/or Serbian languages.
  • For the reporting purposes to UNDP, the selected NGO/CSO should report in English language.

For more information, visit UNDP.