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Call for Trainees – Fully Funded training on Fundamentals of Journalism

Digitalise Youth Project – Detailed Overview

⚡ Powered by the Digital Democracy Initiative

The Digitalise Youth Project is a key component of the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI), a Team Europe Initiative launched in 2023 by Denmark, the European Union Commission, and Norway. This initiative aims to promote and protect local inclusive democratic spaces in the digital age by enabling and safeguarding civil society actors who utilize digital technologies. Positive Peace for Ethiopia (PPE) is proud to implement this project in Ethiopia in agreement with CFI, focusing on empowering young journalists and content creators to combat disinformation and advocate for digital rights.

Project Background

  • Focus in Ethiopia: Under the Information Environment component, the project strengthens the capacities of young journalists and content creators through trainings, coaching, and grants. PPE serves as the primary beneficiary in Ethiopia, working to enhance media literacy and ethical journalism in a context of shrinking civic space and rampant disinformation.

Funders

  • Primary Donor: DANIDA (Denmark’s development cooperation under the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs), which undertook to finance the project.
  • Supporting Funders: European Union and NORAD (Norway), as part of the DDI Team Europe Initiative.

Parties Involved

Contracting Parties

  • CFI (Canal France International): A government agency for media support, operator of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and subsidiary of the France Médias Monde Group. CFI promotes media development in sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Levant, emphasizing dialogue, disinformation combat, environmental protection, human rights, and gender equality.
  • Positive Peace for Ethiopia (PPE): A youth-led non-profit organization registered in Ethiopia since 2021 (Registration No. 5821) under the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Agency for Civil Society Organizations (FDRE ACSO). Based in Bole, Woreda 4, Haya Hulet (22), Haile Gebre Silase St., Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. PPE is committed to peace, justice, and human rights, empowering youth and women through peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and social integration activities across 17 regional chapters.

Consortium Partners

The project is implemented by a consortium led by the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), in collaboration with:

  • AfricTivistes
  • Code for Africa (CfA)
  • CFI Media Development
  • World Scout Bureau Africa Regional Office (WOSM)
  • Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF)

Implementation Countries

  • Main Engagement: Senegal, Benin, Guinea, Mauritania, Togo, Cameroon.
  • Adaptive Engagement: Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad (discreet activities to limit repression).
  • Selective Engagement: South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia (focus on information environment and support for human rights defenders, engaging diaspora communities).

Project Objectives

The Digitalise Youth Project aims to directly address shrinking civic space, rampant disinformation, and increasing digital surveillance by investing in digital skills, civic tech, AI solutions, and advocacy. Key objectives include:

  • Breaking down barriers to inclusive democratic participation in digital spaces.
  • Raising awareness about online political mobilization and engagement.
  • Equipping youth activists and CSOs with resources to navigate the digital ecosystem.
  • Bridging gaps between human rights defenders (HRDs) and the tech community.
  • Providing tools to protect against digital surveillance and fight disinformation.
  • Advocating for digital rights at local, regional (e.g., ECOWAS), and international levels, pushing for ratification of the African Union Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection.

Thematic Components

The project equips youth civic actors with tools and knowledge through five components:

  • Digital Activism: Fosters skills, values, and methods for political and civic engagement.
  • Civic Tech: Offers innovative tools to amplify activism and address civic challenges.
  • AI for Good: Provides enablers for outreach and positive societal impact.
  • Information Environment: Mitigates threats like disinformation and harassment while leveraging digital platforms.
  • Digital Policy & Digital Rights: Ensures sustainable engagement by influencing governing policies.

PPE’s Role and Implementation in Ethiopia

As the primary beneficiary in Ethiopia (an adaptive engagement country), PPE undertakes the project under its own responsibility, in accordance with the Grant Agreement. Activities include trainings on journalism fundamentals, misinformation verification, and human rights reporting in sensitive contexts, followed by coaching and grants. PPE focuses on strengthening young journalists and content creators to promote inclusive democratic spaces against digital threats.

Call for Trainees – Fundamentals of Journalism Training

Positive Peace for Ethiopia (PPE), in partnership with CFI and the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI) led by the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), is excited to announce a call for trainees for the Fundamentals of Journalism training. This comprehensive, intensive, and transformative 5-day program will take place in Addis Ababa, targeting journalists and content creators from Addis Ababa, Oromia, Amhara, and Tigray regions. 

  • Eligibility: Open to journalists and content creators residing in the specified regions.
  • Duration: 5 days, with all related costs (travel, accommodation) covered for regional participants.
  • Application Deadline: Submit your application by August 20, 2025, 11:59 PM EAT.
  • How to Apply: Complete the registration form at Link and upload your CV and motivation letter in PDF format. Visit www.ppeth.org for detailed requirements.
  • Special Encouragement: Women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are highly encouraged to apply, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity.

Successful applicants will be notified and must be prepared to travel to Addis Ababa if applying from regional areas. For inquiries, contact [insert PPE contact email] or +251 993 71 37 37.

Get Involved

For more information or collaboration, contact PPE at [contact@ppeth.org] or +251 993 71 37 37. Follow our progress on [Link] and YDC channels (@YouthCohort).

Funding Acknowledgment
This project is supported by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DANIDA), the European Union, and NORAD through the Digital Democracy Initiative.

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