The Internet Freedom Festival (IFF), a Community Development Fellowship to inspire and empower the voices of Internet freedom throughout the world, has launched the IFF Community Development Fellows Programme and is calling for participation.
 IFF believes that the Internet is a community of communities. As the global community of Internet Freedom defenders grows, so does its demand for community development initiatives. Connecting, and empowering diverse and inclusive communities is a fundamental aspect for the defense and promotion of Internet Freedom globally
 It is the first fellows programme in the Internet Freedom field focused on community development.
 During the 6-month programme, fellows will identify, connect, and grow local communities working to defend a free and open Internet. In addition, fellows will play a key role in the Internet Freedom Festival, curating the programming that inspires and empowers the voices of the Internet Freedom communities throughout the world.
The IFF Community Development Fellows Programme is a great way to contribute individual expertise, meet people from around the world working on Internet Freedom, empower local communities, and learn from individuals in other regions working on similar issues.
The IFF Community Development Fellows Programme aims to Identify, empower and connect new and existing local groups to cultivate a vibrant network of Internet Freedom defenders; gain a detailed understanding of local needs and challenges; understand how local networks form and how to connect them globally; elevate voices of underrepresented communities; provide support and professional development for young emerging leaders; curate the most impactful, diverse and inclusive program for the global IFF, and establish strong local networks for regional IFFs and permanent local workgroups
The IFF team receives a list of potential nominees from two sources: an open call where people can nominate themselves and others, and recommendations from past fellow cohorts.
The IFF team will select a group of 12 individuals representing specific countries, regions, and/or underrepresented communities, and assign them to one of the programmatic themes. Fellow selection will reflect proper regional and gender diversity.
Fellows may bring different specialties, including, but not limited to: data visualization, design, software development, storytelling, digital security training, and journalism, activism, research, and policy analysis.
While they may not have a long previous experience with Internet advocacy, policy or activism, they should have a spirit of solidarity and community health, and display a collaborative and fair approach in their interactions, and a willingness to go above and beyond for the members of their communities.
This year Internet Freedom Festival (IFF) will bring together those who defend digital rights around the world, journalists, activists, technologists, policy advocates and digital safety trainers, in Valencia, Spain from April 1 to 5, 2019 to discuss issues around Internet freedom.
For more information, please click: https://internetfreedomfestival.org/fellowship/
