📢 Forus Digital Governance Bulletin 

Dear Forus members and partners,  

Welcome to another edition of our Digital Governance newsletter!

In this issue, we’re excited to share recent initiatives involving Forus and its members, as well as independent efforts by the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) partners and beyond that are helping to expand impact on digital governance. You’ll also find funding opportunities to support your own projects. We invite you to keep connecting, supporting, and influencing change through initiatives that protect rights in digital spaces.

Let’s start...

__________

WHAT FORUS AND ITS MEMBERS HAVE BEEN UP TO

Join the Digital Governance Working Group!

We are pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 cycle of the Digital Governance Working Group, aimed at strengthening Global North–Global South civil society collaboration on human-centric internet governance. The initiative—part of the Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) and co-funded by the European Union—responds to the growing impact of digital governance on rights, access, and participation in digital spaces.

During Session 1, Mapping Collaboration Opportunities, facilitators and participants will share concrete avenues for cross-regional collaboration in digital governance, setting the tone for a year of strategic exchange and joint action. The session will also serve as the starting point for defining the thematic focus of the second Working Group session. Join us to connect, support, and influence the global digital agenda!

Key information

• What: Digital Governance Working Group. Session 1 – Mapping Collaboration Opportunities

• When: Wednesday, 4 March 2026

• Time: 13:00–14:30 UTC (Click here to see your local time)

• Format: Online event

• Languages: Interpretation available in English, French, and Spanish

• Free registration in this link

Explore the Youth Manifesto of Digital Rights

As part of CADE Youth Voices for Digital Rights programme, led by Forus and Fundación Karisma and co-funded by the European Union, 15 young activists from around the world collaborated to identify key challenges and solutions for a fairer, safer, and more accountable internet. The Manifesto calls on governments, corporations, donors, and civil society to act on participation, access, safety, transparency, inclusion, and accountability in digital spaces.

Read the Youth Manifesto and see young people’s perspectives on digital governance, here.

Unpack the digital rights ecosystem

Through the “Your Clicks, Your Rights” programme under the CADE project, Forus brought together partners worldwide to explore digital rights and digital governance. We produced a dynamic video series unpacking the digital rights ecosystem and addressing key issues such as access and affordability, cybersecurity, AI ethics and emerging technologies, online gender justice, the digital divide, and concrete opportunities for civil society to engage, influence and shape the future of the internet, all through an intersectional lens.

Explore these videos under the Let’s Talk digital Campaign here!

Understand AI in Africa: historic opportunity or new tool for inequality? - New study

Forus regional coalition in central Africa, REPONGAC, has published a new study exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping societies across Central Africa and the implications for digital rights, equity and sustainable development. Grounded in regional perspectives, the research highlights AI’s potential to help address long-standing infrastructure and service gaps, while also warning of the risks of exacerbating inequalities when these technologies are deployed without inclusive governance, local data ecosystems, and strong accountability mechanisms. The study brings critical civil society perspectives into debates on AI governance, raising key issues such as algorithmic bias, data sovereignty, public oversight, and the need for meaningful CSO participation in AI-related policymaking processes.

Read the full study here.

UPCOMING LEARNING & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Get support for engaging in internet governance

Does your organization want to start engaging in internet standardization bodies (ICANN, IETF, ITU) but struggles to identify available entry points? Do you need support in identifying key individuals, opportunities or events relevant for your work? Or maybe you are already involved but would benefit from support in developing policy positions? Contact us! 

As part of our assistance to CSOs, the CADE project — co-funded by the European Union— offers: 

• Guidance on how to start engaging in ICANN, IETF and ITU processes;

• Support in navigating and learning more about the functioning of these forums;

• Financial and logistical support in travel to one of the ICANN, ITU or IETF events and session organisation;

• Connection to existing civil society participants and coordination groups;

• Assistance and advice in preparing policy and position papers.

If you’re interested, please write us at [email protected] with the subject line: "Support in ICANN, IETF, and ITU".

Apply now for the 2026 Kenya School of Internet Governance (KeSIG)

This annual programme, organised by KICTANet, offers a self-paced online course from 22 April to 15 May 2026 designed to build capacity in internet governance, digital policy, and related issues. KeSIG equips participants ( including human rights defenders, civil society actors, students, tech professionals, and government officials) with foundational knowledge and skills to engage meaningfully in internet policy discussions at local, regional, and global levels. The application deadline is April 10, 2026.

Join a growing community shaping Africa’s digital future here.

IGF 2026: Call for Thematic Inputs Now Open

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2026 has opened its Call for Thematic Inputs, inviting individuals and organizations from all stakeholder groups and regions to submit their views on the most important emerging issues and challenges in digital governance (such as AI, cybersecurity, data, digital cooperation, rights, and access) to help shape the overall theme, subthemes, intersessional work, and programme for the 21st annual IGF meeting; submissions are accepted through 28 February 2026 (23:59 UTC) and will be published on the IGF website as received.

Learn more and submit your thematic input here to help shape the IGF 2026 agenda here.

FUND YOUR PROJECTS!

Applications open - Internet Freedom Fund

The Internet Freedom Fund call is now open. Led by the Open Technology Fund (OTF), the program offers competitive grants to support projects that advance global internet freedom, including technology development, applied research, digital security, and community convenings. Funding ranges from approximately $10,000 to $900,000, with a strong focus on first-time and under-represented applicants working in repressive environments.

Learn more and apply here.

Grants for IGF events - Internet Society Foundation

The Internet Society Foundation offers grants to support national and regional IGF events and Internet Governance Schools. Funding can cover event organization, participant support, and travel costs, helping communities build digital governance skills and foster inclusive dialogue. Grants vary depending on the event size and scope, with a maximum of $25,000, and applications must be submitted at least 8 weeks before the event.

Learn more and apply here.

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WITH PARTNERS

Senior Consultant on Digital Rights and Civic Space Advocacy – Digital Democracy Initiative

CIVICUS - World Alliance for Citizen Participation is seeking a Senior Consultant on Digital Rights and Civic Space Advocacy to support its Digital Democracy Initiative. This consultancy role will focus on advancing advocacy strategies to protect digital rights and expand civic space globally, working closely with partners across regions to strengthen coordinated civil society engagement in digital governance processes. Application Deadline: 20 February 2026.

Learn more and apply here.

__________

Want to collaborate on digital governance or showcase your resources here? Reach out and let’s make it happen: [email protected] 

See you next time!