Launched on 25 January, the Digital Freedom Fund (DFF) supports strategic litigation to advance and protect digital rights in Europe. Operating from Berlin and Brussels, it provides financial support to NGOs and individuals litigating to protect human rights in online and networked spaces and supports coordination and collaboration between digital rights activists in Europe. DFF will open for grant applications in Q2 of 2018.

The Digital Freedom Fund responds to an identified need to strengthen strategic litigation on digital rights and increase the impact of both litigation and advocacy to protect and advance the enjoyment of human rights in the digital sphere.

Since October 2017, DFF has been seeking input from the digital rights community on its strategy and funding priorities. Please get in touch to share your views.

The first call for funding applications is scheduled for April 2018. Receive a notification by signing up for updates here.

DFF is led by Nani Jansen Reventlow, an experienced human rights lawyer and strategic litigator. “We are very excited to launch the Digital Freedom Fund. Litigation is a powerful tool to push back on the curtailment of our human rights in the digital sphere. By supporting the digital rights community in the important work it does, we pursue an open and democratic society in which people can freely exercise their rights.”

DFF is supported by a Board and a group of friends. “Ensuring that our human rights are protected online is crucial, especially as more and more parts of our lives enter the digital sphere” said David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and part of the group of friends of the Digital Freedom Fund. “The Digital Freedom Fund will help reinforce the efforts of those fighting for our rights online, including the right to freedom of expression.”

The Digital Freedom Fund is grateful for the support of the Open Society Foundation, Adessium Foundation, Omidyar Network and the Renewable Freedom Foundation, and expresses its thanks to the Advisory Group that helped develop DFF.

Stay up-to-date with the Digital Freedom Fund by signing up for DFF’s newsletter or by following DFF on Twitter.