East Africa Law Society Training for Public Interest Lawyers on Digital Rights

Deadline: Jul 28, 2025

other

2 days (duration)

fully funded

Kenya, Africa

To Apply

Please visit the application link below to apply.

Opportunity Overview

📝 About the Training

The East Africa Law Society (EALS), through the EALS Institute and in partnership with the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), is offering a fully funded regional training program. This program is designed for lawyers defending human rights, civic space, and digital freedoms across Africa.

This immersive program aims to:

Sharpen practical skills.
Foster strategic regional collaboration.
Address emerging legal challenges in the digital realm.

Participants will benefit from:

Expert instruction.
Dynamic peer exchange.
Ongoing support to champion digital rights effectively in their jurisdictions and beyond.

📅 Opportunity Details

Date Published: July 23, 2025
Application Deadline: July 28, 2025
Training Dates: August 21–22, 2025
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Eligible Locations: Sub-Saharan Africa

📚 Core Training Topics

The program will explore critical legal and strategic dimensions of digital rights, including:

Digital Rights Frameworks and Internet Governance
Navigating international, regional, and national laws that safeguard online freedoms.
Freedom of Expression, Assembly, and Association in the Digital Space
Legal strategies to challenge censorship, combat criminalization of online activism, and respond to internet shutdowns.
Privacy, Surveillance, Data Protection, and Artificial Intelligence
Addressing threats from state and private actors exploiting personal data and emerging technologies.
Strategic Litigation for Digital Rights
Crafting effective cases, engaging judiciaries, and leveraging litigation to advance broader civic objectives.
Coalition Building and Cross-Sector Collaboration
Strengthening alliances across law, civil society, media, and technology to defend digital civic space holistically.

🎁 Benefits of the Training

This interactive and impact-focused training delivers:

Contextualized Legal Curriculum
Tailored modules shaped by a pre-training needs assessment and reflective of diverse national and regional realities.
Expert-Led Sessions
Insights and guidance from renowned digital rights scholars, seasoned litigators, and leading practitioners across Africa and internationally.
Practical Skill-Building
Hands-on workshops, simulations, and exercises designed to translate theory into effective legal action.
Professional Accreditation
Earn 2 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points accredited by national bar associations for EALS members.
Strategic Networking
Access a vibrant, interdisciplinary legal cluster within the Digital Rights Alliance Africa (DRAA) to exchange knowledge and coordinate advocacy efforts.
Action-Oriented Outcomes
Develop concrete post-training action plans to implement learning in your work.
Sustained Mentorship and Collaboration
Continued access to a virtual legal collaboration platform for case sharing, peer learning, and mentorship support.

Costs: All travel, accommodation, meals, and training materials will be fully funded for selected participants.
Note: French and English translations will be provided.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

The East Africa Law Society invites public interest lawyers from across Sub-Saharan Africa to apply, particularly those who:

Are actively engaged in human rights litigation, digital rights advocacy, or defending civic space.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to using legal tools to advance digital freedoms.
Are eager to engage in regional cooperation and exchange knowledge with peers across the continent.
Applications from lawyers operating in contexts experiencing increased digital repression are especially encouraged.

📤 Application Process

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, July 28, 2025, at 4:00 PM East Africa Time.

Your application should include:

Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)
Highlight your legal experience, particularly in public interest law and digital rights advocacy.
Motivational Letter (max 2 pages)
- Explain your interest in digital rights and your current work relevant to digital rights advocacy.
- Describe the specific digital rights challenges in your country and how you plan to address them after the training.
Relevant Case Studies or Advocacy Initiatives
Share any case studies or digital rights advocacy efforts you have contributed to, demonstrating your practical engagement with the field.

📋 Selection and Notification

Applications will be evaluated by a joint selection committee.
Successful candidates will be notified by Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

📞 Contact Information

For queries, contact:
Mr. Gabriel Acaye
Programme Officer – Membership & Capacity Building
East Africa Law Society
P.O. Box 6240, Arusha, Tanzania
Email: gabriel@ealawsociety.org | info@ealawsociety.org