Young Tech Collective (YTC)
The Young Tech Collective (YTC) is a non-financial support mechanism implemented by Tifa Foundation under the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI) in 2026 across East and Southeast Asia.
It addresses the critical needs of civil society organizations (CSOs) that lack resources and technical capacity for digital protection.
Young Tech Collective will:
- Builds a network of young tech activists
- Provides hands-on digital protection accompaniment to CSOs
- Strengthens technological resilience through training, mentoring, and direct support
- Helps CSOs respond to digital threats and integrate long-term security practices
Intended Outcome & Outputs
Outcome
Enhanced digital protection capacity and technological resilience among local CSOs in East and Southeast Asia, which is supported by a locally rooted pool of trained young tech activists.
Outputs
- A network of local tech activists is equipped with digital protection skills and ready to assist CSOs.
- YTC facilitators receive meaningful recognition, skill development opportunities, and access to exclusive training and peer learning networks, ensuring their sustained engagement and motivation as digital protection champions for civil society.
- A series of hands-on capacity-building sessions and direct accompaniment are provided to CSOs to support digital protection capacity improvement.
- Digital protection strategies, protocols, and contingency plans are collaboratively created and institutionalized within participating organizations.
- Systematic monitoring and reflection throughout the accompaniment results in lessons-learned reports, which inform future protection strategies and strengthen peer support networks in the local ecosystem.
Who We Support
YTC supports civil society organizations operating in restrictive and high-risk environments, with a focus on marginalized and underrepresented groups. Targeted right-holders of YTC:
Up to 20 local civil society organisations
/collectives/groups receiving a four-month digital protection accompaniment (host organizations)
1-2 focal points
working for/with local civil society organisations/collectives/groups (focal points of host organizations)
50% of host and non-host organisations
are expected to come from:
- Women-led groups
- Youth groups
- Informal or grassroots organizations
- Indigenous peoples
- Gender minorities
- Other high-risk, underrepresented communities
All organizations must operate in a closed, repressed, or obstructed East or Southeast Asian country as designated by the latest CIVICUS Monitor.
Proposed Roles and Responsibilities
YTC Facilitators (Focal Points)
YTC Facilitators (Focal Points)
- Serve as embedded digital protection focal points in host organizations.
- Provide direct accompaniment, support digital security practices, and assist with tech infrastructure.
- Handle sensitive information responsibly.
- Selected through a nomination and screening process that assesses technical skills, motivation, ethical standards, and alignment with digital rights.
- Receive targeted training, mentorship, and continuous performance support throughout the accompaniment.
DDP Mentors
DDP Mentors
- Provide technical advisory and training for facilitators.
- Coordinate and guide the accompaniment process.
- Ensure quality and continuity of digital protection support.
Host Organisations
Strengthening civic influence
- Nominate at least one focal point to join YTC.
- Collaborate on risk assessments, protection strategies, and action plans.
- Allocate necessary resources and integrate digital security practices into daily operations.
- Maintain confidentiality and participate in evaluation, follow-up, and feedback
- processes.
Benefits for YTC Facilitators
- Access to exclusive capacity-building opportunities, mentorship, and network development.
- Small fellowship grants to support further capacity-building for selected YTC facilitators.
- Opportunities for involvement in regional advocacy, learning, and networking events.
Details on calls, timelines, and application procedures will be announced via Tifa’s channels.
