The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a prolonged security and humanitarian crisis, particularly in the eastern region, where millions of people have been displaced. The situation is exacerbated by widespread misinformation and hate speech, mainly spread through social media, which has increased community tensions and threatened social cohesion. Young human rights defenders and civil society actors are on the front lines, often becoming targets of defamation campaigns, identity theft, and online attacks.
In response to this challenging environment, Eleza Fact has announced a call for applications for a fact-checking training program aimed at young human rights defenders and members of civil society in Kinshasa. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote reliable information and protect civil society actors from digital risks. The training program is designed to equip participants with the skills needed to verify facts, combat misinformation, and protect data and sources.
The training program is open to members of civil society organizations, human rights defenders, community leaders, and young people engaged in promoting human rights and citizenship, aged between 20 and 40, who reside or work in Kinshasa. To be eligible, applicants must be involved in a civil society organization, human rights defense, or community animation, and demonstrate a genuine interest in fighting misinformation. They should also have experience in collecting, verifying, or documenting information within their organization or community.
The training will take place in Kinshasa over three consecutive days, with the exact date and location to be communicated to selected candidates. To ensure inclusive and equitable participation, selected candidates will receive support to attend the training in optimal conditions. The program is organized by Eleza Fact as part of the NAFASI program, implemented by Magamba Network, DefendDefenders, and the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), with support from Sida.
The training aims to strengthen participants' capacities in fact-checking, combating misinformation, and data and source protection. By acquiring these skills, participants will be better equipped to carry out their work safely and effectively, ultimately contributing to a more informed and cohesive society. The program also seeks to encourage female participation, and women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Interested individuals can submit their applications by filling out the online form by September 25, 2026, at 23:59. The form can be accessed at https://forms.gle/L4VBCUy2iNUsU4iv5. For further information, applicants can contact Eleza Fact at [email protected]. This initiative underscores the importance of fact-checking and critical thinking in today's information landscape.
The program's organizers emphasize that the training will not only enhance participants' skills but also foster a community of practice that can contribute to a more informed and resilient civil society in Kinshasa. By empowering young human rights defenders and civil society members with the tools to verify information, the program aims to mitigate the impact of misinformation and promote a culture of critical thinking.
Key points
- Eleza Fact is offering a fact-checking training program for young human rights defenders and civil society members in Kinshasa to combat misinformation.
- The training program aims to equip participants with skills in fact-checking, combating misinformation, and protecting data and sources.
- The program is open to applicants aged 20-40 who reside or work in Kinshasa and are involved in civil society organizations, human rights defense, or community animation.
