Partners involved in the Greater Internet Freedom, GIF, project, focusing on enhancing digital rights advocacy in the region, met for a two-day event in Belgrade for productive discussions, knowledge sharing and strategic planning on, among others, ensuring the sustainability of the GIF initiative beyond its conclusion in September.
Local partners shared success stories, addressed challenges and crafted plans for continued regional collaboration on digital rights advocacy and policy development.
On the first day, participants reflected on lessons learned from the GIF project, learned how to develop impactful policy briefs, engage civil society in international digital rights forums, and discussed what should be improved in regional cooperation when it comes to content moderation and freedom of expression.
Some of the success stories participants highlighted include BIRN Albania’s advocacy campaign that engaged police and strengthened networks, Metamorphosis’ practical cybersecurity training, and KVART’s streamlined, flexible application process.
Other successes include KCSS’s accessible cybersecurity handbook, Mediacentar’s digital strategy guide and SCIDEV’s simplified procedures.
Participants emphasised the need for a strategic, consistent presence throughout the year, especially on social media. Organisations should tailor content to each platform and focus on understanding target group habits. Additionally, efforts should concentrate on a few core topics, and youth campaigns must customize messages for different platforms.
The meeting closed with sessions on developing a communication strategy, building capacity for digital rights advocacy, and an open-floor discussion on future advocacy strategies, focusing on emerging technologies.
The session on communications provided an overview of the development of the GIF Communication Strategy, with a focus on sharing success stories.
Additionally, Olga Kyryliuk’s session, on CSO Engagement in Digital Rights Spaces, explored opportunities and strategies for local civil society organisations to engage in international digital rights forums, such as the Internet Governance Forum, RightsCon, and SEEDIG.
Participants learned how to navigate these global and regional spaces effectively and how local perspectives can shape global digital rights discussions, fostering stronger connections between local initiatives and international advocacy efforts.
BIRN’s local partners include Mediacentar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Youth Centre KVART (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Centre Science and Innovation for Development, SCiDEV (Albania), BIRN Albania, BIRN Serbia, the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies, and Metamorphosis (North Macedonia).