Call for proposals: Advancing Data & Digital Rights in Nigeria

With human interactions and transactions increasingly moving to the digital space, it’s imperative to apply principles of openness, accountability, and participation to the governance of these digital platforms and to ensure that the rights of those using the different technologies and platforms are protected.

The overall goal of Luminate’s Data & Digital Rights (DDR) strategy is to understand the actual and potential social, economic, and political impacts of technology; to develop the policy responses to deal with these impacts; and to develop the infrastructure to implement those policy ideas in practice. We support people and communities to exercise their human rights in the design and use of data and technology, hence we support efforts and approaches to improve citizens’ participation in governance processes, improve policy-makers’ accountability, and reduce actions that impinge on people’s digital rights.

We believe there is an opportunity for strengthening Nigeria’s fast-growing data and digital rights ecosystem. This call for proposals seeks to advance Luminate’s DDR work through support for a range of locally seeded initiatives.

Objective of this funding

Luminate is now seeking to fund projects that focus on building and strengthening the data and digital rights ecosystem in Nigeria in 2021. This follows research findings presented in the Data & Digital Rights in Nigeria report, produced by Stears Data in June 2021. The report outlines opportunities for building and strengthening Nigeria’s data and digital rights space through research, advocacy, public interest litigation, stakeholder capacity development, and civic education. Luminate will thus support up to three non-profit organisations based in Nigeria with funding for projects covering up to 12 months. The topical guidance below provides the parameters within which we are now seeking proposals.

Topics

Applications should focus on one (or more) of the following data and digital rights issues:

Data protection
Freedom of expression in the digital space or as enhanced by digital technologies
Online privacy and surveillance
Internet governance, regulation, and shutdown

We will consider short-term proposals (possibly as part of long-term plans) that seek to advance data and digital rights in Nigeria and that employ one or more of the following approaches:

Advocacy (including campaigns, strategic litigation and other legal approaches, etc.)
Civic education and agenda-setting for data and digital rights issues

We welcome proposals that also highlight activities geared towards building and/or strengthening the DDR community of practice in Nigeria.

Application and funding process

We will accept proposals until 11.59pm WAT, 3 September 2021. Please send your application and any enquiries to: [email protected]. Initial submissions will be considered by Luminate staff and short-listed for further consideration by an advisory panel of regional and subject matter experts.

Selected proposals will then be invited to provide additional information. Final funding decisions will be made by Luminate’s staff according to our usual funding process. There is no guarantee of funding until Luminate concludes its due diligence process and both sides sign a funding agreement.

Timeline after initial application

After submitting your proposal, you will receive an email from Luminate confirming that we have received your application.
Clarifying material may be sought during September.
A determination notice will be provided to all applicants by 30th September, which will explain if they will be taken through to our formal funding approval process.
We aim to conclude all funding and disbursements by 30th October.

*Timeline is subject to change at the sole discretion of Luminate.

Guidelines

Eligibility

This call is open to non-profit organisations and will prioritise work that fits most within the aims and objectives of this open call selection process. Luminate supports both individuals and projects through several different funding mechanisms. However, we cannot support commercial activities or work with partisan objectives.

Diversity

Luminate is committed to fair and equitable treatment for all of our staff, partners, and applicants regardless of race, creed, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or any other classification. Our diversity policy is available here.

Data policy

By submitting material, you are agreeing to Luminate’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To avoid doubt and consistent with Luminate’s Privacy Policy, by submitting material, you agree: (i) that we may contact you in the future about your application; (ii) that anything you provide as part of your application will be shared with the advisory panel; and, (iii) you understand that Luminate has offices in countries around the world—including in the US and UK—so you agree that any information you provide in your application may be shared internally, including transferred between those locations.

Background reading

Data & Digital Rights in Nigeria report, funded by Luminate
Luminate’s Data & Digital Rights strategy
Stears’ piece on internet governance in Nigeria, containing some findings from the Luminate-funded report

Frequently asked questions

Is there a proposal template or application form to use in responding to the Call?

There is no suggested template for the proposal, please feel free to use your organisation’s standard proposal format/template.

Should the proposal include a budget and is there a budget ceiling for the project?

Yes, please include a budget in the proposal. We are unable to determine a specific budget for individual proposals. We imagine that you have the best idea of what a one-year project would typically cost your organisation to execute.

What is the time frame for the project?

This is a one-year project with a start date of November/December 2021.

How can I know if what my organisation has prepared to submit is sufficient?

Overall, we would like to see a clear articulation of your proposed project and how it fits within the topics and approaches in the Call for Proposals. Should your proposal be shortlisted and we require additional information, we will contact you.