Replace "Sign up for Network!" with "Ready to Join the Network?"
Replace "We invite you to be a part of the network by registering your interest. Simply leave your details below to secure your spot and receive further updates about the event. We look forward to your participation!" with "We welcome activists, researchers and Citizen OS partners and programme to join the Democracy Defenders Network.
Replace all the text from "Join the next event...members." with
//Heading// What is the Democracy Defenders Network?
Initiated by the Citizen OS Foundation, the Democracy Defenders Network is our new global participatory network for activists who have taken part in Citizen OS civic engagement programmes, and like-minded individuals working to promote democratic values.
This volunteer-driven network aims to help build skills, foster cooperation and launch new projects to enhance democratic participation and boost the impact of civil society leaders across the world. Membership is free of charge and the initiative is fully non-profit.
//Heading// Why does democracy need defending?
In 2023, civil society is under serious threat. Not only are activists increasingly being persecuted for monitoring and advocacy (both vital third-sector functions in a democracy), but the role and reputation of civil society are also being diminished, according to the CIVICUS 2023 Civil Society Report. We need to grow our positive impact and coordinate efforts to stand up against the shrinking of democratic space.
//Sub-heading// We need a coordinated effort to:
Build civil society resiliency.
Improve the quality of civic space (safeguarding civic freedoms, raising democratic awareness, increasing the impact and quality of civic society initiatives, etc).
Encourage young people to lead and take initiative in designing and delivering civic engagement processes.
Harness the power of technology to make participation more accessible, deliberative and outcome-oriented.
Initiate strategic and international cooperation to tackle civic society challenges together.
//Heading// Who is this network for?
Activists: Civil society activists, both individuals or representatives of groups or organisations
Participants & partners: Participants, partners and volunteers of initiatives run by the Citizen OS Foundation.
Researchers: Researchers who are focused on democratic participation.
//Heading// Activities
On the 30th of November we held the Democracy Defenders Launch and are currently in the process of forming our core team, who will be the ultimate decision makers in steering the network.
//Heading// The Background
Citizen OS is a civic tech non-profit organisation established in 2015. By harnessing the power of technology and co-creation, we help to empower as many people as possible to participate in respectful, meaningful discussions. So that everyone, everywhere, can decide together on issues that affect their own wellbeing.
The Democracy Defenders Network has been initiated by Citizen OS, as an outcome of our international programme Democracy Defenders Accelerator. The network is being built in cooperation with long- standing Citizen OS volunteer Rajashekhar V and Democracy Defenders Accelerator participant Luthfy Ramiz. The network will be developed in a co-creative and participatory way, engaging and consulting a wide range of civil society actors across the world.
The Democracy Defenders Accelerator and the work of the international network is financed by the Active Citizens Fund and the Citizen OS Foundation. The Active Citizens Fund operator in Estonia is the Open Estonia Foundation in cooperation with the Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations (NENO).
[Insert ACF, AEF, VBL logos] to be sent by email for high resolution
What needs to be done?
//Heading// What is the Democracy Defenders Network? Initiated by the Citizen OS Foundation, the Democracy Defenders Network is our new global participatory network for activists who have taken part in Citizen OS civic engagement programmes, and like-minded individuals working to promote democratic values. This volunteer-driven network aims to help build skills, foster cooperation and launch new projects to enhance democratic participation and boost the impact of civil society leaders across the world. Membership is free of charge and the initiative is fully non-profit.
//Heading// Why does democracy need defending? In 2023, civil society is under serious threat. Not only are activists increasingly being persecuted for monitoring and advocacy (both vital third-sector functions in a democracy), but the role and reputation of civil society are also being diminished, according to the CIVICUS 2023 Civil Society Report. We need to grow our positive impact and coordinate efforts to stand up against the shrinking of democratic space.
//Sub-heading// We need a coordinated effort to:
//Heading// Who is this network for?
//Heading// Activities
//Heading// The Background Citizen OS is a civic tech non-profit organisation established in 2015. By harnessing the power of technology and co-creation, we help to empower as many people as possible to participate in respectful, meaningful discussions. So that everyone, everywhere, can decide together on issues that affect their own wellbeing. The Democracy Defenders Network has been initiated by Citizen OS, as an outcome of our international programme Democracy Defenders Accelerator. The network is being built in cooperation with long- standing Citizen OS volunteer Rajashekhar V and Democracy Defenders Accelerator participant Luthfy Ramiz. The network will be developed in a co-creative and participatory way, engaging and consulting a wide range of civil society actors across the world.
The Democracy Defenders Accelerator and the work of the international network is financed by the Active Citizens Fund and the Citizen OS Foundation. The Active Citizens Fund operator in Estonia is the Open Estonia Foundation in cooperation with the Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations (NENO).
[Insert ACF, AEF, VBL logos] to be sent by email for high resolution
Location https://citizenos.com/projects/participatory-youth-leadership-network/
Any additional files or info needed?
Deadline End of January but if it can be done with the DDA pages that would be awesome.