The US state department has on Friday announced a tender with funding from $500,000 to $1.2 million for projects that will promote internet freedom in Ukraine, according to an official press release.
According to Sputnik news reports, the press release which was published o Friday, stated: “The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for programs that promote Internet freedom in Ukraine.”
The DRL’s development which was guided by the Washington national cyber strategy, aimed at supporting “an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure Internet by promoting human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the free flow of information online”, according to the press release.
The bureau, regard to Ukraine, seeks the proposal to “empower cross-sector Internet freedom champions to advocate for policies that promote freedom of expression online in Ukraine”. The project is expected to bring together lawyers, civil society, experts and media representatives in order to “discuss and debate Internet freedom trends, challenges, and policies,” the DHL said.
The bureau has clarified the program activities is expected to include “advocacy training and mentorship for local civil society and Internet freedom activists; building and/or strengthening cross-sector coalitions; convening events, forums, and public awareness campaigns”.
Department’s press release has described the non-discriminatory nature of the program as a basic requirement.