The Innovation Fun-D is an initiative designed to support and showcase the transformative potential of digital media changemakers from across the globe. It also aims to reinforcing the role of DMIS’24 as a catalyst for real-world change.
This year, Innovation Fun-D aims to highlight innovative solutions with an AI-driven approach, focused on responding to pressing needs faced by young people using the power of AI. The initiative will award two changemaker organizations up to €20,000 to implement their innovations.
The six finalists, shortlisted from 58 applications received from 32 countries, will pitch their ideas at #DMIS24, to a jury panel comprising of experts from Mozilla Foundation, Porticus Foundation, and InHolland University.
The 6 finalists are:
We invite you to participate as guest judge for these initiatives. Watch their videos and give them bigger chance to win the fund by liking, commenting, and sharing the initiative that resonate with you.
Maybe you have an idea for a technical innovation that will revolutionise how we map the evolving flow of dis/mis/mal-information. Maybe you have a smart content strategy or targeting innovation that will boost media literacy among young people (especially around generative text and fake imagery). Maybe you have a vision for how CSOs and governments can massively grow traction around fact-based narratives with vulnerable audiences. Maybe it’s something else entirely.
Maybe you're pioneering new content or targeting strategies that will drive user behaviour with audiences outside the pro-rights echo chamber, or maybe you have burning ideas for technical solutions such as AI customised messaging or bots. Maybe you are developing advanced tools to foster deeper connections and meaningful interactions with the younger demographic. Maybe you’re exploring a completely different angle.
AI approaches/tools need to be at the core of the project idea, and all projects need to incorporate smart data analysis to effectively understand target audiences and measure impact.
The Innovation Fun-d is set up to give Changemakers the freedom to experiment with new digital strategies and / or new tech solutions for driving social impact.
With polarisation and extremism getting ever worse, and traction for pro-rights ideas shrinking, it’s clear that the world needs radical new solutions. Bold new ideas are inherently risky, so we created The Innovation Fun-d to give everyone space to experiment and help reduce risk wherever possible.
The Innovation Fun-d is also about pioneering AI working practices within the NGO community. Like it or not, AI is here to stay, and we need to harness its power to effectively safeguard the values we hold dear. All projects need to be underpinned or supported by AI tools, and they need to be rooted in a solid understanding of algorithmic logic and its impact on society.
Applications Should Include:
Eligibility:
The Innovation Fun-d is available to:
We will consider applications that request project funding to fund the full implementation of pilot projects1.
Project Implementation Timeline:
Projects need to be implemented (activities and spending) no later than December 31, 2025. We suggest that activities are finalised by November 15, 2025 to allow for reporting to take place.
Maximum budget per application for project funding: 20,000 EUR
Anticipated number of awards: 2
The Innovation Fun-d Committee will evaluate proposals on the following points:
Questions and applications should be submitted to the following email address: innovation.fun-d@rnw.org
This year, The Innovation Fun-d has an exciting interactive format.
Application
Jun. 1, 2024. Deadline to submit questions regarding the innovation Fun-d application
Jun. 15, 2024. Submission of final project ideas
Jul. 1, 2024. RNW Media announces the top 6 project ideas
Jul. 1 – Oct. 9, 2024. Campaigning for top 6 project ideas
Oct. 9, 2024. Pitch in front of the expert panel
Oct. 10, 2024. Innovation Fun-d winners announced
Implementation
Dec. 2024. Setting up implementation
2nd week of Jan 2025. Reporting onboarding (narrative and finance)
Feb. 1 - Nov. 15, 2025. Implementing project activities according to project plan
Every 8 weeks, 30 min. Touching base on progress with Fund Committee; updating briefly on progress in the stand-up (for projects longer than 8 weeks)
Evaluation
Preparing and submitting written report with results, achievements, lessons learned, recommendations
Preliminary report by Dec. 31, 2024
Final Report by Dec. 31, 2025
Ideas should help respond to two mentioned themes using AI tools and approaches.
No, we purposely didn’t create one. Take a look at the guidelines and ensure that all points are covered when submitting your application. We encourage you to be innovative and creative!
The rule of thumb for any project team is about up to 4 people – but this is up to you. We strongly encourage a multidisciplinary group of people forming the project team. A Project Lead should be included in the application.
June 15, 2024.
Send them to innovation.fun-d@rnw.org
Two ideas will be selected and awarded funding.
Yes, you can. Be mindful though of the amount of time that you can spend on this.
They own organisational investment of RNW Media.
Because ideally, we will consider sustainability from the get go. How can this project grow? Where can we find more funds for it? How can it be scaled or replicated?
The budget should include all costs needed to carry out the work. For example, if you foresee that you will need to contract a freelancer to support with carrying out the work, include these costs.
Maybe you have an idea for a technical innovation that will revolutionise how we map the evolving flow of dis/mis/mal-information. Maybe you have a smart content strategy or targeting innovation that will boost media literacy among young people (especially around generative text and fake imagery). Maybe you have a vision for how CSOs and governments can massively grow traction around fact-based narratives with vulnerable audiences. Maybe it’s something else entirely.
Maybe you're pioneering new content or targeting strategies that will drive user behaviour with audiences outside the pro-rights echo chamber, or maybe you have burning ideas for technical solutions such as AI customised messaging or bots. Maybe you are developing advanced tools to foster deeper connections and meaningful interactions with the younger demographic. Maybe you’re exploring a completely different angle.
AI approaches/tools need to be at the core of the project idea, and all projects need to incorporate smart data analysis to effectively understand target audiences and measure impact.
The Innovation Fun-d is set up to give Changemakers the freedom to experiment with new digital strategies and / or new tech solutions for driving social impact.
With polarisation and extremism getting ever worse, and traction for pro-rights ideas shrinking, it’s clear that the world needs radical new solutions. Bold new ideas are inherently risky, so we created The Innovation Fun-d to give everyone space to experiment and help reduce risk wherever possible.
The Innovation Fun-d is also about pioneering AI working practices within the NGO community. Like it or not, AI is here to stay, and we need to harness its power to effectively safeguard the values we hold dear. All projects need to be underpinned or supported by AI tools, and they need to be rooted in a solid understanding of algorithmic logic and its impact on society.
Applications Should Include:
Eligibility:
The Innovation Fun-d is available to:
We will consider applications that request project funding to fund the full implementation of pilot projects1.
Project Implementation Timeline:
Projects need to be implemented (activities and spending) no later than December 31, 2025. We suggest that activities are finalised by November 15, 2025 to allow for reporting to take place.
Maximum budget per application for project funding: 20,000 EUR
Anticipated number of awards: 2
The Innovation Fun-d Committee will evaluate proposals on the following points:
Questions and applications should be submitted to the following email address: innovation.fun-d@rnw.org
This year, The Innovation Fun-d has an exciting interactive format.
Application
Jun. 1, 2024. Deadline to submit questions regarding the innovation Fun-d application
Jun. 15, 2024. Submission of final project ideas
Jul. 1, 2024. RNW Media announces the top 6 project ideas
Jul. 1 – Oct. 9, 2024. Campaigning for top 6 project ideas
Oct. 9, 2024. Pitch in front of the expert panel
Oct. 10, 2024. Innovation Fun-d winners announced
Implementation
Dec. 2024. Setting up implementation
2nd week of Jan 2025. Reporting onboarding (narrative and finance)
Feb. 1 - Nov. 15, 2025. Implementing project activities according to project plan
Every 8 weeks, 30 min. Touching base on progress with Fund Committee; updating briefly on progress in the stand-up (for projects longer than 8 weeks)
Evaluation
Preparing and submitting written report with results, achievements, lessons learned, recommendations
Preliminary report by Dec. 31, 2024
Final Report by Dec. 31, 2025
Ideas should help respond to two mentioned themes using AI tools and approaches.
No, we purposely didn’t create one. Take a look at the guidelines and ensure that all points are covered when submitting your application. We encourage you to be innovative and creative!
The rule of thumb for any project team is about up to 4 people – but this is up to you. We strongly encourage a multidisciplinary group of people forming the project team. A Project Lead should be included in the application.
June 15, 2024.
Send them to innovation.fun-d@rnw.org
Two ideas will be selected and awarded funding.
Yes, you can. Be mindful though of the amount of time that you can spend on this.
They own organisational investment of RNW Media.
Because ideally, we will consider sustainability from the get go. How can this project grow? Where can we find more funds for it? How can it be scaled or replicated?
The budget should include all costs needed to carry out the work. For example, if you foresee that you will need to contract a freelancer to support with carrying out the work, include these costs.
