Call for Applications: Protecting Vulnerable Communities in the Age of AI
A fully funded Capacity Building Workshop for Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria
JournoTECH invites applications from civil society organisations, community-based organisations, non-governmental organisations, journalists, humanitarian actors, advocates, and grassroots leaders to participate in a fully funded capacity-building workshop on the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies.
As AI tools become increasingly integrated into advocacy, humanitarian response, community engagement, media work, and public communication, many organisations face new challenges related to privacy, misinformation, surveillance, data protection, digital safety, and ethical technology use. Without adequate knowledge and safeguards, vulnerable communities may be exposed to significant risks.
This initiative is funded by SPRITE+, a consortium that brings together people involved in research, practice, and policy focused on digital contexts. SPRITE+ comprises the University of Manchester, Imperial College London, Lancaster University, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Southampton and is funded by UKRI EPSRC (UK Research and Innovation’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council).
This workshop aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of Trust, Integrity, Privacy, Protection, and Safety (TIPSS) principles and support organisations in adopting more responsible, ethical, and community-centred approaches to AI.
What Participants Will Learn
Participants will explore:
- Artificial Intelligence and its growing impact on civil society work.
- Privacy protection and responsible data handling when working with vulnerable communities.
- Digital safety and protection from AI-enabled threats.
- Misinformation, disinformation, deepfakes, and synthetic media.
- Ethical storytelling and responsible use of AI-assisted tools.
- Human rights implications of emerging technologies.
- Practical approaches to implementing TIPSS principles within organisations.
- Building safer and more accountable AI practices in advocacy, journalism, and community engagement.
Workshop Objectives
The workshop seeks to:
- Increase awareness of the risks and ethical concerns associated with Artificial Intelligence technologies.
- Strengthen participants’ capacity to safely and responsibly use AI tools in humanitarian work, advocacy, journalism, and community engagement.
- Promote Trust, Integrity, Privacy, Protection, and Safety (TIPSS) principles in the adoption of emerging technologies.
- Improve understanding of privacy protection and responsible data management.
- Equip participants with practical strategies for digital safety and online protection.
- Encourage ethical storytelling and responsible public communication.
- Create dialogue around AI governance, human rights, and community-centred innovation.
- Foster collaboration among civil society organisations, journalists, activists, researchers, and humanitarian actors.
Who Should Apply?
Applications are encouraged from:
- Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
- Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
- Community-Based Organisations (CBOs)
- Humanitarian organisations
- Digital rights advocates
- Community leaders and grassroots groups
- Human rights organisations
- Researchers and academics
- Youth-led organisations
- Organisations working with vulnerable or marginalised communities
Workshop Details
Venue: Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Format: In-person
Travel and Accommodation Support
Limited travel and accommodation support will be available for selected participants travelling from neighbouring states to Rivers State.
Priority will be given to applicants from grassroots and community-based organisations who demonstrate financial need and whose work directly supports vulnerable communities.
Benefits of Participation
Participants will:
- Gain practical knowledge on responsible AI use and digital protection.
- Learn strategies for addressing misinformation and AI-related risks.
- Connect with professionals working across civil society, media, technology, and human rights sectors.
- Receive a Certificate of Participation.
- Become part of an emerging network of organisations committed to ethical and responsible technology use.
How to Apply
Interested organisations and individuals should complete the application form before the deadline.
Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until June 10, 2026.
For enquiries, contact: info@journotech.org
We particularly encourage applications from organisations serving women, youth, indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, displaced populations, and other vulnerable groups.
