Digital Media Arts for an inclusive Public Sphere (Digital MAPS) is a programme funded by the British Council, covering Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Syria, Yemen, and Tunisia. This programme aims to support organisations and content creators operating in the media, arts, and cultural sectors to develop strategies and content which promotes inclusivity and openness in the public sphere (المحيط العام) and in the virtual space (الفضاء الافتراضي) in particular.
Background
Information and communication technologies, especially social media platforms, have created opportunities for civic actors to become more visible and impactful than they were in the offline space. These technologies have also fundamentally altered the way individuals and communities interact, enabling them to make long-range connections. Indeed, they are no longer constrained by geographic proximity and traditional identities, two constraints which used to strongly shape human relations.
More recently, this early optimism has been dampened by the growing uses of these technologies for regressive and uncivil ends. The proliferation of online harms such as hate speech, disinformation, and extremist propaganda has contributed to the fragmentation of online communities, to the emergence of social divides and to the amplification of distrust. These negative effects are increasingly irrupting into the offline space and affecting community relations and social cohesion across the globe.
The Digital MAPS programme recognises that the networked structure of the virtual public sphere is a key factor driving polarisation and the fragmentation of communities. Specifically, virtual spaces are increasingly characterised by isolated, inward-looking communities whose divisions make it difficult for civic actors to foster mutual understanding and dialogue.
Navigating the virtual space and striving for social cohesion and inclusivity is increasingly difficult for civic actors, especially those representing marginalised groups. Online spaces and dynamics are increasingly complex and are governed by hidden rules which have harmful effects. Social media algorithms make it more difficult for positive actors to get their voice heard while they amplify harmful content, disinformation, negative emotions, and tensions between communities, thus further driving the polarisation of societies.
What’s in it for successful applicants
The Digital MAPS network will provide its members with:
- Access to social media mapping and analysis software which will help them better analyse the virtual environment they operate in, analyse their audiences, develop better strategies, and measure the impact of their content and online presence.
- Training in social media analysis.
- Access to local and international experts and researchers who will help them analyse the public sphere and identify ways to overcome challenges to their communication goals and amplify their reach.
- Access to civil society organisations, artists, journalists, alternative media, and content creators across the MENA region with whom they will be able to share lessons, experiences and build partnerships.
- Funding to participate in programme activities and to produce content which advances openness, inclusivity, and social cohesion.
- Solid tools and methodologies to measure the impact of their digital content. This may enable participants to better prove their impact and thus better convince funders to finance their future content.
Selection criteria
Membership of the network is open to actors who subscribe to the values of inclusivity and openness. Across the countries, we expect the cohort to be diverse in cultural terms but also in terms of capabilities and outlooks. Types of actors may include youth-led alternative/digital media, NGOs working on cultural preservation or the representation of minorities.
Specifically, we are looking for participants who:
- represent the partner in programme activities (including workshops and content production) are young (18-35), with an interest in building digital skills/media literacy for media-arts based civic action.
- have experience in youth engagement
- demonstrate commitment to gender sensitivity, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion [Essential]
- value gender equality - it is a primary or significant objective of the partner’s activities [Desirable]
Candidates, including those who do not meet all eligibility criteria (above), may apply jointly with one or several partners. Criteria will be evaluated at the collective level. For example, an NGO with expertise on a specific issue but which does not have the required content production capacities may team up with a content creator or a digital media to apply to this programme.
There will also be other opportunities to involve additional partners during the content production phase of the programme.
How to apply
Fill out the application form (download below) and attach all needed annexes to an email message addressed to: DigitalMAPSJO@BritishCouncil.org.jo
Please ensure that your complete application is sent within the deadlines specified by this call. Any application exceeding these deadlines will not be considered.