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Hive Mind Launch in South Africa: Countering Disinformation in the Civic Space

The Hive Mind* launch in South Africa was a success. We are thankful to all our speakers who gave incredible presentations and supported the need for Hive Mind to help civil society and build digital resilience.

Sibongile Ndlovu | 4 min read | Apr 14, 2023

Empowering Civil Society to Combat Disinformation: Digital Activism Program Takes Action Across the Central and Eastern Europe

Across the world, the spread of disinformation is on the rise. Its volatile growth is the result of the strategic use of online disinformation, which undermines democracy and polarizes societies. While ways to combat disinformation are currently trending in the media, the existing tactics are primarily directed at fact-checkers and journalists, leaving wider civil society actors to their own devices.

Hive Mind | 2 min read | Apr 3, 2023

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Empowering Europeans Against Disinformation (EEAD) - ToT Training

As part of the Empowering Europeans Against Disinformation (EEAD) project, we are happy to invite all interested educators residing in Europe to express the interest and take part in a 2-day onsite Training of Trainers (ToT) on Countering Disinformation and Building Positive Narratives in Warsaw, on April 19-21, 2023.

Hive Mind | 2 min read | Feb 27, 2023

How to lead the communication of a charity organisation on Facebook to success. Proven practices for a reliable and consistent presence

When social media communication focuses on activating the audience for a charity purpose or organisation, on increasing reputation and on growing commitment, the creation of the marketing activity's strategy needs professional planning.

Besides the written and visual content of posts, we need to bear in mind the motivations and interests of the local target groups.

Al-Dulaimi Rebeka | 6 min read | Feb 26, 2023

Project launch: Empowering Europeans Against Disinformation (EEAD)

The Empowering Europeans Against Disinformation (EEAD) project is part of TechSoup Network’s Digital Activism Program.

Since 2018, the program has been offering complex support to civil society organizations (CSOs) and their staff in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Latin America and West Africa. In the area of countering disinformation, the program strives to increase their understanding of direct disinformation threats, strengthen their capacity to deal with disinformation, boost their knowledge in this field and expand their connections within the nonprofit network.

Hive Mind | 1 min read | Feb 17, 2023

Partner Spotlight Series: Phambano

Phambano Technology Development Centre was founded in 2017.

Our aim is to provide sustainable technology-related solutions and support technology development among civil society organisations (CSO’s) that work on social justice issues across Southern Africa.

Sibongile Ndlovu | 1 min read | Feb 16, 2023

Partner Spotlight Series: NIOK

The Non-profit Information and Training Center (NIOK) Foundation was founded in Hungary in 1994. NIOK's mission is to strengthen civil society in Hungary by empowering nonprofit organizations to be efficient, professional, resilient and independent. Toward that goal NIOK works with experienced and motivated staff as well as with a wide range of experts.

Hive Mind | 1 min read | Feb 16, 2023

Partner Spotlight Series: GURT Resource Center

The GURT Resource Center is an innovative accelerator of democratic transformations. Since 1995, GURT is committed to capitalizing on the potential of changemakers for the benefit of Ukraine. GURT’s head office is located in Kyiv, but their team works remotely throughout Ukraine.

Hive Mind | 1 min read | Feb 16, 2023

Partner Spotlight Series: MAKAIA

MAKAIA is based in Medellín, Colombia and was founded in 2006 by Catalina Escobar, Camilo Mondragón and María Claudia Camacho.

Hive Mind | 1 min read | Feb 16, 2023

Hive Mind Partner Spotlight: WACSI

The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) was established in 2005 and became operational in 2007.

Hive Mind | 1 min read | Feb 16, 2023

WACSI Equips 15 Digital Activists with Digital Literacy and Resiliency Skills

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in West Africa will see improvement in digital literacy, security and safety as 15 digital activists have received training to help protect the civic space from cyber threats and attacks.

Kwame Asante | 2 min read | Feb 13, 2023

The Role of NGOs in Countering Disinformation in Africa: A Vital Tool for Community Empowerment

Disinformation has become a widespread problem in Africa, with the rise of social media and the internet making it easier for false information to spread. Disinformation can cause harm to individuals and communities, create social and political divisions, and undermine public trust in institutions and leaders. NGOs and charity organizations in Africa play a crucial role in combating it, as they are often on the front lines in communities and have a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities for promoting digital literacy and critical thinking skills.

Kwame Asante | 4 min read | Feb 4, 2023

Fiatalok a civilek közt - hogyan lesz utánpótlás?

NIOK | 4 min read | Jan 16, 2023

What is Open Data: the main idea and examples

What links Flood Alert Service from Austria, a Polish mobile app informing about the condition of the air quality and a mobile app that helps you commute in Kyiv?

Hive Mind | 2 min read | Dec 22, 2022

Three simple steps to use Open Data effectively

Would you like to strengthen the impact of your organization? Or to share some important information that you’ve collected from your activity?

Are you interested in monitoring your government’s or your local authorities’ way of providing social services or how they’ve been spending the public money?

Hive Mind | 4 min read | Dec 22, 2022

Launch of WACSI Node Nigeria

On Wednesday 16 November 2022, The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) organised the Launch of WACSI Nigeria Node to build civil society resilience in Nigeria for the country’s development and to address the proximity challenge and especially make the Institute’s services readily available to organisations and civic actors that may not have the means to engage effectively online.

Kwame Asante | 7 min read | Dec 21, 2022

Small Changes Make a Huge Difference: Testing for Impact

Testing and experiments can make a huge difference when it comes to results. The secret to great leadership in campaigning is to be open, and accepting of feedback; in other words: having the growth mindset.

Hive Mind | 2 min read | Nov 3, 2022

The Future of Disinformation

Several experts give their opinion on the possible global outlook regarding disinformation. Some remain optimistic, while others believe it is a problem that has no solution.

MAKAIA | 5 min read | Nov 1, 2022

Understand and Involve Your Allies with the Empathy Map

If you want to involve more supporters and allies in your campaign or action, you need to learn more about them. The “Empathy Map” is a tool that helps you put yourself in the shoes of others and understand how they perceive the problem you want to solve.

Hive Mind | 2 min read | Oct 17, 2022

4Ws: a Quick Way to Define Your Challenge

It is easy to jump into problem-solving without critically evaluating the problem itself. The 4Ws method is a simple way to explore the problem space and formulate a problem statement, so you actually know what you need to focus on.

Hive Mind | 3 min read | Oct 12, 2022

Effective communications, a road ahead for social organizations

The challenge that many organizations face in communications is to build content that touches the lives of their audiences. But there is an even bigger challenge; towards the construction of content of joint value, collectively and making impact visible.

Jackeline Pájaro López | 3 min read | Oct 6, 2022

War-time Disinformation Landscape in the CEE 30.06 | 5 PM

Join us for a panel discussion about the current war-time disinformation landscape and learn about ways of mitigating its harmful effects.

Maja Durlik | 3 min read | Jun 15, 2022

War and Kindness: CSOs Response in Help for Ukraine - Key Takeaways

The war in Ukraine continues. We’ve been watching brave men and women fight for their country’s freedom and independence, while many others are organizing their lives after being forced to flee their country and settle abroad.

Maja Durlik | 14 min read | May 30, 2022

Quick Tips: Digital Security Best Practices for CSOs in Africa

What is digital security, and should civil society organisations in Africa be concerned?

Kwame Asante | 4 min read | May 17, 2022

“Civil Society's Response in Help for Ukraine” – online discussion, MAY 17, 5 PM CET

While the war in Ukraine progresses and we are forced to watch the brave men and women fight for their country’s freedom and independence, many others are organizing their lives after being forced to flee their country.

Hive Mind | 6 min read | May 6, 2022

CSOs Helping Ukrainian Refugees

The war in Ukraine is entering its fourth month. We’ve been watching brave men and women fight for their country’s freedom and independence, while many others are organizing their lives after being forced to flee their country and settle abroad.

Hive Mind | 2 min read | Apr 19, 2022

Free Online Course on Media Literacy

Strengthen your abilities to access and critically analyze information in digital media with the free and self-paced online course: "Think twice: media literacy Online"

MAKAIA | 2 min read | Apr 19, 2022

From trash to activism: how a bodybuilder became Hungary's next green influencer

NGOs and activist groups often wish to involve famous people, influencers to their communication to reach a wider audience with their help. However, perhaps even the most open-minded organisations in Hungary would not have thought to ask "Pumped Gabo", originally known for his muscles and senseless partying, to be an ambassador for their cause. A coming of age story or the true face of a previously misunderstood celebrity? We looked at why the bodybuilder-turned-activist’s story works.

Bécser Vera | 5 min read | Apr 7, 2022

The state of cyber-security in North Macedonia: interview with Elena Stojanovska

Elena Stojanovska is true believer that privacy protection is a culture, a way of recognition and respect of a human right. Her experience dates from the times when privacy was a mysterious concept in North Macedonia (2005), until now, when everyone is buzzing around new ways of protecting privacy. Elena worked for the Agency for Data Protection as an Advisor for International Cooperation, she was the human rights on-line specialist at the Metamorphosis Foundation and from February 2020 has really busy days in implementing the new Law on Personal Data Protection in the business sector.

Goce Arsovski | 10 min read | Apr 1, 2022

What is MEGAPHONE

In this article we have summarized for the Hungarian audience what we should know about Megaphone, and where can we find the resources of the Megaphone events.

NIOK | 1 min read | Mar 29, 2022

Informative video contents on Hive Mind available in English

In this article we have collected a few webinars available in English on HiveMind for the Hungarian audience.

NIOK | Mar 29, 2022

How to protect your digital identity -5+1 tips

With the dramatic increase of our digital footprint (in other words, the footprint of our activities in the online word, e.g. use of social media sites, emailing, blogging, accepting cookies on various websites etc.... data protection is not only an issue for large companies, but it is equally important for civil society organisations and individual users as well. However, while the former can often employ a whole team of security experts, in case of civil society organisations it is an issue that we have to deal with ourselves. Keep in mind that the most precious information today is data and identity, therefore it is especially important to protect them.

NIOK | 2 min read | Mar 25, 2022

Countering desinformation and propaganda during a war: a guide for the Russian-Ukrainian war

Russia's war against Ukraine is not only taking place on the battlefields and in besieged cities, but also in the information space. This was true even before the digital age, but war propaganda has reached a new level thanks to the possibilities of the Internet. Fake news, dubious images, videos, untraceable figures, battlefield results, not to mention conspiracy theories explaining the background to the attack.

Bécser Vera | 2 min read | Mar 24, 2022

Fundraising without huge resources? It's possible!

You think you don’t have the necessary resources or a sufficient budget to start a fundraising campaign? Yet, it's important for your organization to raise donations? Check out these smart & simple fundraising tips!

NIOK | 3 min read | Mar 24, 2022

5 things you have not thought of - but are necessary for a successful crowdfunding campaign

If your organization has run a crowdfunding campaign before, you are probably familiar with the basics of campaign planning and online fundraising.

We have collected a few tips that beginner fundraisers often don’t think of, but they could boost your crowdfunding success!

NIOK | 2 min read | Mar 24, 2022

Volunteering, activism, youth - how to engage generation Z?

Hive Mind and NIOK's podcast is curious how active and socially aware Generation Z's young adults are. We caught up with two different organisations that have been successful in engaging young people: Greenpeace Hungary can proudly name many generations of activists and volunteers, while the Amigos for Kids Foundation has only been running for seven years but has already built a very strong community of student volunteers. Based on the podcast we have put together a list of key tips, communication channels to use and activities to organise in orther to successfully mobilise and involve young people.

NIOK | 4 min read | Mar 23, 2022

RESILIENCY KIT - Your Online Support Lifeline

It’s been a difficult 2 years. And on February 24th, 2022, when Russia attacked Ukraine it got even harder... It’s a challenging time which is testing us as activists, but also, more importantly, as people. We’re doing the best we can, but living in a constant state of unknown, having to prepare for the unexpected or currently focusing a lot of energy and resources on supporting our Ukrainian friends, who are in a much more difficult situation, takes its toll.

Hive Mind | 3 min read | Mar 21, 2022

The state of cyber-security in North Macedonia – interview with Filip Simeonov

Filip Simeonov, Founder and Cyber Security Expert of CPP Services Skopje (www.cpp.mk), as an Information Technology Engineer begins his work experience as a System Administrator and System Engineer, later focusing on Cyber Security of IT and Telecommunication Systems, application solutions, as well as raising awareness of cyber security and secure data management of all process stakeholders and data processors.

Philip often says that Cyber Security is an investment, not a company expense. As an ethical hacker for 13 years trying to detect all the weaknesses and vulnerabilities in his clients, all in order to be mitigated before bad hackers and malicious users find them, thus improving and increasing the cyber security of companies and their solutions and systems.

Goce Arsovski | 8 min read | Mar 11, 2022

Dezinformacja w służbie Putina, czyli o tym jak nie wpaść w tryby machiny propagandowej: webinarium 03.03.2022 (czwartek); 18:30-19:30

Hive Mind | 2 min read | Feb 28, 2022

5 Media Literacy Events in 2022 you can't miss

Save the dates, mark your calendars and get ready to go! These are the five Media Literacy Events you simply cannot miss in 2022!!!

Hive Mind | 3 min read | Feb 14, 2022

PERSONAL DEMOCRACY FORUM UKRAINE 2022

PERSONAL DEMOCRACY FORUM UKRAINE (PDF UA 2022) is back!

This year PDF UA will be held on March 3-4 in Kyiv in a hybrid form.

The “Future of the Elections” is the main topic this year.

TechSoup Europe joins OPORA, TransparenCEE Network and OSCE ODIHR for the fifth time and brings "tech4good", transparency, and open data topics to the Ukrainian debate about democracy and the role of civil society.

Tytarenko Yaroslava | 2 min read | Jan 28, 2022

Build Your Media Literacy Skills with Hive Mind's Self-paced Courses - Live Online Event - 19.01.2022 @ 5:00 PM (CET)

"If you want to teach people a new way of thinking, don’t bother trying to teach them. Instead, give them a tool, the use of which will lead to new ways of thinking."

- R. Buckminster Fuller

Hive Mind | 3 min read | Dec 13, 2021

What makes a powerful story?

An engaging storytelling ability is crucial to catch the attention of an ever-distracted audience. The best stories share the same essential elements, arranged in a specific order to gradually build tension, that makes us want to find out what happens next. Let’s learn together how to build a powerful story that our audience won't be able to keep their eyes off!

Hive Mind | 4 min read | Dec 12, 2021

When logic alone does not decide… How to persuade your audience to look at things from a different perspective?

You’ve got a good reason to do what you do, but how can you present this reason in a compelling way to those who think differently? This is where the persuasion (learning with an emotional dimension) comes in.

Hive Mind | 4 min read | Dec 12, 2021

5 steps to reach your audience by discovering what really matters to them

It’s only by learning what really counts for your audience and why it does, that you can really figure out what kind of communication will be in alignment with their needs and values.

In order to identify their behaviour, their beliefs behind it, or the emotional drivers, try out the Mapping Technique.

Hive Mind | 3 min read | Dec 12, 2021

Three questions you need to ask about your audience

Knowing your audience perfectly well is the cornerstone of every successful communication. So, there are three essential questions you need to get the answers to before you start crafting your campaign. The first one is about who you’re talking to, the second - about their behaviour related to your cause, and then the last one, to look for their motivation.

Hive Mind | 3 min read | Dec 12, 2021

Three Tenets of SMEs Cyber Security

Most often when we notice media articles about a hacking incident, it is usually because the target (or a victim) is a larger, more well-known company to the public. When Google, Facebook, Microsoft, etc. are victims of a cyber-incident, and the media are naturally interested in the topic, and thus inform the public. However, almost regardless of the magnitude and sophistication of such attacks on well-established companies and organizations, they are almost always "resolved", i.e., they have their own beginning, course, and end, or resolution. The resolution is not always "positive" for the company institution: sometimes victims pay huge sums of money (usually in cryptocurrencies) to attackers in order to get their data back.

Goce Arsovski | 9 min read | Nov 22, 2021

Giving, feeling good and donation as a gateway drug: thoughts from Hive Mind and NIOK’s podcast

The second podcast of NIOK Foundation and Hive Mind focused on philanthropy as with Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, another celebration has arrived: Giving Tuesday! Unfortunately the podcast itself is in Hungarian, but for those who are yet to learn this wonderful language, we have collected some tips and thoughts for NGOs from the conversation.

NIOK | 3 min read | Nov 16, 2021

Self-paced Courses: Learn at Your Own Pace, on Your Own Schedule!

We live in the Information Age. Our ability to synthesize and use information well is crucial to our fate and future well-being. Our Experts have been designing bespoke courses on topics that are relevant, set in a meaningful context and important. From making sense of the news online, to protecting your own or your organization’s digital safety and privacy.

Hive Mind | 3 min read | Nov 15, 2021

How To Create Eye-Catching Graphics With CANVA

We are happy to share with you a 10-episode video tutorial prepared by TechSoup Europe. We hope it will help you make eye-catching graphics for your content with CANVA: an online design and publishing tool available in basic version for free for everyone, and for nonprofits, also free of charge in the pro version.

Hive Mind | 4 min read | Nov 15, 2021

Do Students Learn about Fake News at Hungarian Schools?

In Hungary, when it comes to the analysis of news, fake news, or in general, any sort of medium, the most suitable subject is a media lesson to learn how to approach the topic. This subject, however, is riddled with so many problems in the already convoluted education system, that in 2020, in the first iteration of the latest National Curriculum, the subject almost got entirely removed.

Mertek Media Monitor | 5 min read | Nov 3, 2021

From Projects and SMARTs to Personas and Storytelling - a webinar recording on Building Positive Narratives

On September 28-30, TechSoup held a three-day campaign, focused on teaching Digital Storytelling to Nonprofits and NGOs entitled "Lights, Camera, Take Action!". Its aim was to help organizations learn the basics of effective, impact storytelling during three days filled with online workshops led by top experts in the sector. Hive Mind was present there, too, and we are especially proud of the webinar session that was run as part of the event by our Polish Master Trainer and Localisation Expert on Building Positive Narratives, Hubert Sobecki.

Dominika Uzar | 1 min read | Oct 8, 2021

Lights, Camera, #TakeAction!

On September 28-30, TechSoup will hold a three-day campaign, focused on teaching Digital Storytelling to Nonprofits and NGOs. Join free training today and make an impact with your story!

Dominika Uzar | 1 min read | Sep 15, 2021

"Project HOPE" - Podcast about a Game to Teach People How to Fight Online Trolls

In this podcast episode, you will hear Jakub Górnicki talking to Tomáš Kriššák about the Project HOPE, within which a set of tools in the form of an online game was designed to help people tackle negative consequences of the Internet and the social media, including cyber-bullying and propaganda.

Dominika Uzar | 1 min read | Jul 19, 2021

Your Phone Knows More About You Than Your Better Half. Here is how.

This podcast episode brings together Anna Chęć and "Klara", who is a TechSoup Europe trainer from Poland, a security researcher, a hacktivist, currently working as a software security engineer for a financial institution. In this episode you can listen to what are some of the key threats once you buy a smartphone and why it is important to secure it well.

Dominika Uzar | 1 min read | Jul 19, 2021

What REALLY Happens When You Click „ENTER”?

In this episode Anna Chęć is talking to "Klara", who is - like Anna - a TechSoup Europe trainer from Poland, but on top of this, she is also a security researcher and a hacktivist. Anna and "Klara" are great at talking about complex security topics in an easy-to-digest, friendly and open manner. In this episode you can find out if there is such a thing as anonymity on the Internet.

Dominika Uzar | 1 min read | Jul 19, 2021

Life Online – Better Safe Than Sorry! Know What Can Go Wrong.

In this episode of our “Let’s Talk Digital Resilience!” podcast series, we’ll be joined by Anna Chęć, talking to "Klara" (a real-deal hactivist), who are both TechSoup Europe trainers on Digital Safety & Security.

Dominika Uzar | 1 min read | Jul 16, 2021

"Digital Well-being, Traps of Dark Patterns and Online Outrage" podcast by Jakub Górnicki & Kamil Śliwowski

Do you ever look at the screen-time analysis on your smart phone and cannot believe the high number it displays? If not –great, but if you do –then this podcast is for you.

In this episode you will hear Jakub Górnicki talking to Kamil Śliwowski -

a Media Literacy, Open Educational Resources and Online Privacy expert.

Kamil explains how he has gone from becoming a techno-enthusiast to a real techie helping people better understand the negative effects of using technology...

Hive Mind | 1 min read | Jul 14, 2021

“Let’s Talk Digital Resilience!" Hive Mind podcast series - Introduction

Welcome to the Hive Mind podcast series: “Let’s Talk Digital Resilience!”, where we would like to offer you a chance to enjoy 5 meaningful conversations led by top experts in the field of media technology, online security, and digital wellbeing.

Dominika Uzar | 1 min read | Jul 14, 2021

Hive Mind Resources: Radically Open Security #OpSec Webinar: Practical Tools to Stay Safe & Resilient Online

"Operational Security (OpSec) is a continuous process to ensure operational success in the face of adversaries. [...] Before you understand how to protect yourself, you should realise how to attack yourself."

- Melanie Rieback, CEO/Co-founder of Radically Open Security, NL

If you would like to learn more about being safe and resilient against cyber threats, watch the recording from the webinar we did on June 22, 2021,

led by Melanie Rieback and one of her ethical hackers, Stefan Marsiske.

Dominika Uzar | 1 min read | Jun 24, 2021

"Bro/ Sis, Just Be YOURSELF. I Got Your Back!" - Trailblazing Local Action from Poland

"Bro/ Sis, Just Be YOURSELF. I got your back!" - 1st Community Building Billboard Campaign Targeting Siblings of LGBTIQ+ Persons.

Hive Mind | 2 min read | May 28, 2021

Local Heroes

Building resilience against disinformation.

Success stories at the grassroot level.

Michal Prawdzik | 1 min read | May 10, 2021

MEGAPHONE 2021 WEBINARS - Online Resources

Missed any of our events, feeling like watching it again diving straight into the extra resources and materials? We've got it covered.

Michal Prawdzik | 2 min read | Mar 9, 2021

Tytarenko Yaroslava | 3 min read | Dec 14, 2020

Who wants to brainwash you? Disinformation - how to recognize and defend yourself against it - a series of free online workshops designed for youth by Katarzyna Sadło. New dates: !!! 25 January - 15 February 2021!!!

We'd like to invite young people associated in non-governmental organizations, informal groups, dialogue bodies and activists acting on their own to free online training sessions on disinformation, recognizing it, preventing and counteracting its negative effects. The training is addressed to all those who understand the importance of disinformation in public life, who would like to learn more about the ways it works, get specific tools of recognition and methods of dealing with it. We also invite people who actively participate in public life (also at the local level) and therefore are most vulnerable to disinformation actions aimed at undermining their credibility and the trust of public opinion, necessary to effectively fight for the public good or the interests of the groups they represent.

Dominika Uzar | 2 min read | Dec 14, 2020