The Sustainable Protection Fund (SPF) aims to support human rights organizations build their long-term digital security capacities to respond to digital threats and attacks. This year, the grant provides up to €15,000 to fund activities that reach a maximum of one year.

Submitted projects must contribute to the long-term resilience and sustainability of the organization. To be considered, the proposals should be based on a risk analysis of the organization, and activities should correspond to solutions to those risks.

The grant can cover costs which contribute to strengthening an organization or collective’s capacity to respond to digital threats. These can include new computers, servers, or hosting for data or websites; technical support in implementing new systems; training or accompaniment processes on digital security or other aspects of security and protection; actions to improve physical security, which support information management and digital security; or measures to address the psychological and psychosocial impacts of digital threats.

The Sustainable Protection Fund is open regionally. Women human rights defenders and feminist organizations; LGBTQIA+ organizations; land and environmental rights defenders; and journalists and other actors who make information available to the public are particularly encouraged to apply.

Find the list of covered countries and the application form here.

About DDP

Digital Defenders Partnership was initiated in 2012 by the Freedom Online Coalition and is managed by Hivos. It takes a rights-based approach, focusing on core principles such as human rights and internet freedom, inclusivity and diversity, trust and confidentially, do-no-harm, mentorship, and partnership. DDP’s mission is to provide a holistic response to digital threats and create resilient and sustainable networks of support for human rights defenders.