Summary of the project
The project focuses on reinforcing the digital rights and cybersecurity landscape in Albania, especially among local civil society organizations and young citizens. Amid increasing violations of digital rights in recent years, such as unauthorized publication and circulation of personal data, the project’s general objective is to strengthen civil society organizations to address digital rights and cybersecurity issues and empower young Albanians to protect themselves against internet risks while enhancing their awareness of their digital rights. The project includes raising awareness among civil society organizations and young people, empowering youth to navigate the digital world safely, initiating a Digital Rights and Cybersecurity Ambassadors program, and fostering collaboration among Albanian youth. A National Digital Rights Festival will be organized and a toolkit for digital rights and cyber security for local civil society organizations will be developed and promoted along with an online campaign on digital rights.
Project goals
General Objective is the strengthening of civil society organizations in addressing the digital rights and cybersecurity issues, and empowering the young Albaniansto protect themselves from internet risks and are aware of their digital rights and how to exercise and protect them.
Specific Objectives are (i) to raise awareness and empower civil society organizations to address digital rights and cybersecurity issues; (ii) to raise awareness among young people about digital rights; (iii) to empower young people on how to be safe in the digital world; (iv) creation of the Digital Rights and Cybersecurity Ambassadors program and (v) to increase cooperation among young people in Albania on digital rights issues by utilizing online platforms.
Target groups and beneficiaries
The project will target nine local civil society organizations in Shkodër, Tirana, Pogradec, and Fier/Vlorë, fifteen young Digital Rights Ambassadors, and eighty young individuals from Shkodër, Tirana, Pogradec, and Fier/Vlorë. The final beneficiaries of this project will include 25 local civil society organizations and 500 young individuals comprised of students, high school pupils, teachers, and young activists.
The target groups and beneficiaries will benefit from the project:
Firstly, by raising awareness and equipping nine local civil society organizations with knowledge and tools to handle and address issues related to digital rights and cyber security, these organizations will be better prepared to safeguard their digital environments and those of the communities they serve. Furthermore, the direct training of 80 young individuals from four cities on digital rights protection and cyber security will cultivate a pool of knowledgeable youth who can act as frontline defenders of these rights. In addition, 500 indirect beneficiaries will be made aware of these critical issues, spreading awareness and fostering a community-wide culture of cyber vigilance.
The project will also provide an accessible toolkit on digital rights and cyber security, serving as a valuable resource for civil society organizations. Additionally, the organization of a National Digital Rights Festival will offer a platform for local and national dialogue about digital rights, engaging a diverse group of stakeholders.
Moreover, the creation of an electronic repository for digital rights will ensure easy access to relevant information, facilitating a continual learning process and contributing to a shared understanding of digital rights and cyber security. Through an online campaign, this project will further spread information and raise awareness on these key issues, reaching an even broader audience.
Main activities
The main activities of the project are:
- Completion of the work plan and launch of the project.
- Engagement of mentors and preparation of mentoring packages.
- Building the capacities of civil society organizations.
- Training of young people.
- Ambassadors of digital rights and cyber security.
- Creation of the Digital Rights repository.
- Creation of the Toolkit for digital rights and cyber security for local civil society organizations.
- National Digital Rights Festival
- Youth Led Digital Rights Talks – Discussions about digital rights by young people for young people.
- National Digital Rights Festival in Shkodra.
- Widespread dissemination of the Toolkit for local civil society organizations.
- Online campaign for digital rights and cyber security.
