Community Building

Tools

  • Keywords:
  • Digital Security
  • Digital well-being
  • Communication
  • Communication strategy
  • Community Building
  • Languages:
  • English
Founded by Professor Ron Deibert, The Citizen Lab is an interdisciplinary laboratory based at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto. It focuses on research, development, and high-level strategic policy and legal engagement at the intersection of information and communication technologies, human rights, and global security. The Citizen Lab uses a "mixed methods" approach to research combining practices from political science, law, computer science and area studies. The research includes: investigating digital espionage against civil society, documenting Internet filtering and other technologies and practices that impact freedom of expression online, analysing privacy, security, and information controls of popular applications, and examining transparency and accountability mechanisms relevant to the relationship between corporations and state agencies regarding personal data and other surveillance activities.

Posts

Centrum LOCIKA Experience in the Fight Against Disinformation and Misinformation

As an organization focused on helping children affected by domestic violence, Centrum LOCIKA often faces various forms of disinformation and misinformation about its activities. Both can significantly damage reputation, erode public trust, and have a negative impact on the work of the organization. In this article, we will share specific experiences in refuting misinformation and offer practices that may be useful for other organizations.

VIA Association | 7 min read | Oct 24, 2024

NIOK | 6 min read | Oct 2, 2024

Who is Considered a Regular Donor?

When do we talk about regular giving and does regularity mean the same for everyone?

NIOK | 4 min read | Oct 2, 2024

Tips for the Educators: Unexpected Bonuses of Media Literacy in the Classroom

During the last two years more than 240 educators have participated in NPO Tuleviku Meedia training and projects, and thanks to them we had an opportunity to validate, improve, and implement different methods of teaching media and information literacy. We want to share some insights that may help you or your colleagues find a way to teach media and information literacy in your school and community.

Baltic Centre for Media Excellence | 5 min read | Sep 25, 2024

Defending Democracy - European Civil Society's Response to Disinformation: Online Expert Panel Discussion

In an era where information manipulation is the ultimate tool of influence, how are civil society organizations (CSOs) in Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltics, the Black Sea, and the Western Balkans navigating the treacherous landscape of disinformation?

Hive Mind | 4 min read | Sep 17, 2024

The Kira Project: Educating Slovak Students on the Realities of War in Ukraine

The "Kira" project is a Slovak educational initiative using a comic book to depict the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine. Targeted at students, the comic aims to fill a gap in the Slovak educational system, where discussions about the war are often absent or minimized. By presenting the story of Kira, a Ukrainian girl who witnesses the destruction of her home and family, the comic aims to make students more resilient to disinformation and encourage critical thinking about the conflict. The project also seeks to counteract the widespread influence of Russian propaganda in Slovakia, particularly among the youth.

Tomáš Kriššák | 6 min read | Sep 17, 2024

Media Literacy: An Essential Tool in the Fight Against Disinformation

In today's information society, where digital technologies and the internet are increasingly important, media literacy is becoming an indispensable skill area. This includes the ability to analyze information, understand its sources, and to understand how the media shape our perception of the world.

Civic Resilience Initiative | 4 min read | Aug 26, 2024

Crisis Communication II: Crisis Communication Plan

A crisis communication plan is a pre-prepared strategy for how an organisation will communicate during unexpected or challenging situations that may negatively impact the organization's reputation.

VIA Association | 10 min read | Aug 1, 2024

How Can a Digital Audit Help Your Organization?

Rapid technological advances affect all areas of society, including NGOs. The tipping point for many nonprofits was the Covid-19 pandemic, when moving online and introducing remote working with clients became necessary.

VIA Association | 7 min read | Jul 15, 2024

Diary of Two Independent Observers: A Look at Romania's Voting Process

On June 9th, Romanian citizens witnessed two separate rounds of elections, which were merged into one: both the local elections and the European Parliament elections. Over 500 independent observers from Funky Citizens monitored 1006 polling stations across Romania, dedicating 24 hours and sometimes even more to strengthen the democracy. Election observation plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of electoral processes, ensuring they are conducted fairly and democratically. Below, two of over 500 accredited independent observers from Funky Citizens talk about their experiences as the first-time observers — one in Brașov and the other in Bucharest.

Hive Mind | 19 min read | Jul 9, 2024

Youth Council – the Cook or the Food in the Media Kitchen?

In a small-scale project – media literacy training seminar “From Consumer to Creator” – 30 Municipal Youth Councils’ representatives* from five different municipalities in Latvia gathered to reflect on their media consumption habits, explore their own cognitive bias, learn about social media algorithms, and exchange their practices creating collaboration ideas for the future.

Sintija Lase | 8 min read | Jul 3, 2024

The Role of Video Games for Developing Participatory Culture and Media Literacy

Video games (VG) have evolved from simple entertainment to a powerful cultural force. As VG become embedded in the fabric of people's daily life, their influence is far-reaching, spanning the entertainment industry, social interactions, economic activities, and educational approaches.

Ivanova Iglika | 8 min read | Jun 28, 2024

Empowering the Future: Havířov High School Students Tackle Disinformation Through Innovative Workshops

In the heart of the Havířov region in Czechia, a dynamic group of young minds from the Comenius High School would like to shape the future in the region they call home. Havířov, an economically and socially excluded region with a long-lasting poor level of infrastructure and education, with many challenges, is also vulnerable towards disinformation. Led by a TechSoup Master Trainer Aneta Bednářová, supported by an active teacher Jana, this passionate team embarked on a project focused on combating disinformation. Their journey unfolded through creating and piloting of a peer-to-peer workshop, igniting a spark of awareness and empowerment among their peers. “Let`s empower media literacy in Havířov”, we say.

Aneta Bednářová | 3 min read | Jun 24, 2024

Reshaping Communication: Expert Tips to Connect with Your Audience

In a world filled with disinformation, building meaningful connections with your audience is more important than ever. This article introduces a series of three short video tutorials by our expert and master trainer, Hubert Sobecki, from the Love Does Not Exclude Association in Poland. Focusing on emotional messages, shared values, and a hopeful future, these videos offer essential communication tips for building a strong and engaged community.

Hive Mind | 3 min read | Jun 5, 2024

Database-Based Communication, Part 2: What Is My Database and How Can I Extend It?

If you're not actively involved in database building, we'll show you how to get started, what to look out for and what tools are available.

NIOK | 11 min read | Jun 3, 2024

Using MailChimp at MU Theatre Association in Hungary

For 31 years MU Theatre has been promoting the performing arts culture in Hungary. Through its programmes, it empowers young and old, civic and grassroots initiatives, and empowers active participation through the arts. They work with community groups and educational institutions to give participants the opportunity to develop their creativity, self-awareness and communication, while becoming members of a vibrant cultural community.

NIOK | 5 min read | Jun 3, 2024

Learning Groups: A Deep Dive into Countering Disinformation. Closed-Group Online Training | June - December 2024 | CERV EEAD

What is the aim of the Learning Groups?

We aim to create a safe and inspiring learning space for activists, educators, and local leaders from EU member states, who are working in an environment vulnerable to disinformation.

Hive Mind | 4 min read | May 24, 2024

NEW Partner Spotlight: TechSoup Brasil joins Hive Mind Community - Empowering Nonprofits with Technology

TechSoup Brasil is a transformative initiative that exclusively serves nonprofit organizations. Through strategic partnerships and software donation programs, we provide access to cutting-edge technology tools and services at discounts of up to 90% below market prices.

Vitor Matheus | 2 min read | May 16, 2024

Partner Spotlight: MAKAIA's 2023 Year in Review

In Makaia, we work to strengthen social development capabilities based on technology, cooperation, and innovation. With the Digital Resilience project, which is based on the Hive Mind platform, and is part of TechSoup's Digital Activism Program, we seek to create and share tools, knowledge, and good habits in the digital sphere to counteract disinformation in the Latin American region.

MAKAIA | 1 min read | May 6, 2024

Join our training: Building Youth Resilience. What Works, What Doesn't, and How to Make a Difference. Warsaw, 4-6th June 2024

Let’s come together to learn on how to strengthen young people in being more resilient (online and offline) and improve their (as well as our own) wellbeing in the times of widespread disinformation, limited attention span and general information noise.

Hive Mind | 3 min read | Apr 29, 2024

NIOK | 4 min read | Feb 5, 2024