The Special call for pilot projects contributing to the Council of Europe campaign on “Young People Combating Hate Speech On-line” aims at supporting projects which will be run by the youth sector between 2012 and 2014.
The project aims to combat racism and discrimination in their on-line expression of hate speech by equipping young people and youth organisations with the competences necessary to recognize and act against such human rights violations. In this framework, a European-wide campaign against hate speech on-line will be running in 2013 aiming to motivate, engage and mobilise young people and youth organisations to take action against hate speech online.

Two types of projects can be supported by the European Youth Foundation:

I. Projects aimed at the creation of Partnerships for national “campaigns”
Youth organisations are invited to organise coalition- building workshops at local, regional or national level.
The aim is to mobilise youth organisations and other stakeholders to build coalitions or partnerships
that will support the campaign against hate speech on-line that the Council of Europe is launching in 2013.
– What:
– one- or two-day meetings, seminars or conferences at local, regional or national level
– Who:
– leaders and activists in youth organisations, local, regional and national authorities, youth information centres, human rights organisations, experts in freedom of speech online, representatives of online communities, students associations, schools, media and other relevant stakeholders.
– How
– presenting and discussing the realities of hate speech on-line and its potential impact on young people and society
– brainstorming around possible projects and actions to be run at local level to activate young people against hate speech online
– dissemination of the online survey on youth perceptions on hate speech being carried out by the Council of Europe (to be launched in August 2012)
– development of a strategy for the campaign at national level and a possible programme of activities
– identification of key partners to form a national co-ordination for the campaign (to be launched in 2013) and possible identification of roles
– proposals for the European campaign, notably in view of securing an effective support and impact of national or local campaigns
– When:
– to be implemented before the end of December 2012
– Grant: up to a maximum of € 4,000 to cover costs of the meetings, including: rental of meeting rooms and equipment, meals for participants, accommodation costs (maximum two days/person) and local transportation.

II. Capacity-building workshops for multipliers and activists
Workshops aimed at preparing and developing the competences of youth trainers, multipliers and activists to address and combat hate speech on-line and at preparing or sharing tools and materials for the European campaign against hate speech on-line to be implemented in 2013.
– What:
– two or three-day workshops with a primary function of training and capacity- building
– Who:
– groups of youth trainers, experts in non-formal education, human rights and human rights education, new media, online activists, including student leaders.
Preference is given to workshops bringing together activists from a variety of organisations and stakeholders.
– How:
– developing an understanding of hate speech on-line, how it affects young people and its consequences for democracy and human rights
– sharing and discussing educational approaches on combating hate speech online  
– developing online tools, activity models, tool-kits and educational materials to be used with young people to mobilise them around the issue of hate speech online 
– proposing follow-up plans for the implementation of education and training activities on the issue during 2013, to be included in the Council of Europe campaign on combating hate speech online
– When:
– to be implemented before the end of December 2012
– Grant:
– up to a maximum of € 6,000 to cover costs of the workshops, including: rental of meeting rooms and equipment, meals for participants, accommodation costs (maximum three days/person), local transportation, experts’ and trainers’ fees, purchase or hiring of educational resources.
Important information to read before applying

Who can apply
Non-governmental youth organisations or structures registered in the European Youth Foundation database.
How to apply
Proposals for both types of projects must be submitted via the online system of the European Youth Foundation, using the Category D (pilot project) application form.

Deadline: was 15 September 2012 (for projects taking place before the end of 2012).

We will keep you informed when a new call is published.