Annual Report 2022
A Year of simultaneous change and growth
2022 was quite a year at DFF! A time of change and growth, we worked hard to expand our reach and better serve the digital rights community, we also took the time to focus internally, strengthening our organisational culture and structure so that we can do our work effectively and cohesively. Throughout the year, we were busy collaborating with our partners on a wide variety of topics, including competition law, anti-colonial perspectives on digital technologies, data protection, and more. We hosted two in-person plenaries as part of the ongoing collaborations to decolonise the digital rights field. And of course, we held our fifth annual strategy meeting, which was a great success. We’re thrilled with everything we accomplished in 2022, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Some highlights from the year 2022
A Changing Context
Through our partnership with the digital rights community, we have come to the realisation that strategic litigation is an indispensable tool for the advancement of digital rights. However, in 2022, we have witnessed the development and implementation of regulations in Europe, alongside the expansion of resources and influence by tech companies and governments. The rise of authoritarianism and populism has only exacerbated power imbalances and human rights violations. To counteract this, we must broaden our efforts to include a more diverse range of organisations that strive for a society where all individuals can enjoy their human rights in both digital and non-digital domains. Furthermore, we firmly support the funding of cases that warrant greater attention.
Illustration by Yorgos Konstantinou
Our Grants
In 2022, as well as approving grant support for 19 applications, we also took steps to revise our grantmaking to better match the needs of the digital rights community and be more accessible to all actors. We also took steps to update our case study page with new cases and case updates, and a more advanced and user- friendly filter and search function. For example, it will be easier to find all case studies related to a particular issue like platform accountability or mass surveillance, a particular target group like racialised communities, or a particular organisation or country.
Out ‘fieldbuilding’ in ‘Community Strengthening and Support’
At our team retreat in 2022, we engaged in highly productive discussions and implemented crucial changes to our strategy. Among these changes, our renewed emphasis on community stands out as particularly significant. We firmly believe that anyone in Europe who is working on digital rights issues must be considered a member of our community, irrespective of their specific area of expertise. Furthermore, we are resolute in our commitment to working alongside a diverse range of organisations that prioritise issues such as racial justice, economic justice, LGBTQI+ rights, and environmental justice. Our ultimate objective is to establish a robust and supportive community that we can fortify through our programmes.
Illustration by Yorgos Konstantinou
Decolonising the Digital Rights Field in Europe
Our first In-person event in 2022 since the beginning of the pandemic was such a success, with 26 participants coming together in Italy for the third decolonising plenary. It was a wonderful experience for everyone involved to finally reunite and continue the important work on decolonising the digital rights field. It’s always heartening for communities to band together to achieve a common goal, and it’s clear that there is a strong sense of ownership and commitment to the process among the participants. The final plenary in Essaouira, Morocco at the end of November was also incredibly fulfilling and worthwhile experience for all involved.
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