Our
Services
We provide services that work together as comprehensive support or individually based on specific needs. Whether you're a civil society organization needing strategic planning, a tool developer wanting user research, a funder looking for impact evaluation, or a movement building cross-border connections, we can help.
Collaborative Research & User Needs Assessment
We conduct research that's actionable and grounded in the realities of people working in challenging contexts.
What we offer:
Community needs assessments to understand user challenges, technology practices, digital literacy needs, and risks in specific operating environments
User research and testing for tool developers building for high-risk communities, including scoping, prototyping, localization, and iteration based on feedback
Landscape research on philanthropic practices, advocacy strategies, policy environments, and sector-wide challenges
Context-specific risk analysis to ensure programming and outreach accounts for the threats communities face
Our research methodology prioritizes safety, centers community knowledge, and produces concrete recommendations that inform strategy rather than sitting on shelves.
Example work:
Internet shutdown needs assessments in 8+ countries providing actionable recommendations for civil society response
UX research for anti-censorship tools in high-risk environments including prototype testing and localization
Landscape research on media freedom funding and donor practices
Multi-country studies on surveillance threats and community protection strategies
Strategic Planning & Program Development
We work with organizations and movements to develop comprehensive strategies for long-term impact, better engagement with stakeholders, and more effective use of limited resources.
What we offer:
Organizational strategy development and strategic planning processes
Program design and theory of change development grounded in evidence and user needs
Network building and coordination across organizations, regions, and disciplines
Cross-regional peer learning programs and fellowships that connect movements facing similar challenges
Stakeholder engagement strategy, including approaches to working with policymakers, funders, and allied movements
We facilitate strategy processes that account for the unpredictable nature of crisis work, build in flexibility, and create realistic plans teams can actually execute.
Example work:
Multi-country internet shutdown action plans developed collaboratively with civil society
Cross-regional networks and solidarity programs connecting 900+ participants from 70 countries
Strategic engagement frameworks for organizations working on surveillance and privacy
Network coordination for pan-African human rights organizing across 30+ countries
Impact Evaluation & Monitoring
We develop impact frameworks that work in restrictive contexts where traditional metrics don't capture what matters.
What we offer:
Program evaluations examining effectiveness at multiple levels (organizational, programmatic, ecosystem)
Impact monitoring frameworks with realistic metrics, continuous community feedback, and flexibility to adapt
Best practice documentation and lessons learned for internal improvement and knowledge sharing
Incremental progress tracking that accounts for the complex realities of working in repressive environments
Our evaluation approach recognizes that impact in at-risk contexts looks different than in open environments. We track what actually matters to communities while ensuring our methods don't create additional risk.
Example work:
Multi-year program evaluations for internet freedom initiatives funded by major donors
Impact tracking systems for organizations working in 30+ countries on digital rights
Evaluation of tech tool adoption and usage in high-risk contexts
Assessment frameworks for cross-border organizing and peer learning programs
Strategic Communications & Storytelling
We help translate complex technical and human rights work into compelling narratives that reach broader audiences, demonstrate impact to funders, and make movements more accessible.
What we offer:
Campaign strategy and messaging for advocacy, awareness, and mobilization
Multimedia content creation including videos, podcasts, visual storytelling, and social media
Creative collaborations between technologists/advocates and cultural producers (artists, musicians, influencers, designers)
Impact storytelling that transforms data and research findings into accessible narratives
Documentation and case study development for knowledge sharing and sustainability
We work with designers, creatives, and content producers in our network to make democracy and rights work feel relevant and exciting rather than abstract and preachy.
Example work:
Privacy is Global: podcast and graphic novels reaching thousands across Bolivia, Ecuador, Kenya, and Brazil
Cultura Contra Censura: gallery exhibitions pairing artists with civil society on internet freedom
Strategic communications for tool launches and program results
Impact storytelling for funders demonstrating program success in restrictive contexts
Training, Capacity Building & Mentorship
We design and deliver training programs that go beyond one-off workshops to include long-term mentorship, peer learning, and hands-on application.
What we offer:
Topical training programs on digital security, internet freedom, strategic engagement, creative campaigning, and impact measurement
Fellowship and mentorship programs providing intensive skill-building with ongoing support for implementation
Community of practice development connecting practitioners for peer learning and mutual support
Open-source curriculum development that others can adapt and use in their contexts
Our approach ensures participants can apply knowledge in real situations, learn by doing, and draw on supportive networks when challenges arise.
Example work:
Internet Shutdown Academy reaching 700+ participants globally with curriculum, mentorship, and project funding
Engagement strategy workshops for organizations working on surveillance and digital forensics
Fellowship programs with seed funding for participants to implement projects in their contexts
Multi-country training programs on circumvention tools and network measurement
Convenings & Community Engagement
We facilitate events and gatherings that produce concrete outcomes, not just conversations.
What we offer:
Strategy workshops bringing together movements and stakeholders to collaboratively analyze challenges and develop action plans
Cross-regional convenings connecting civil society, technologists, and policymakers across borders
Co-design sessions where communities shape programming, tools, and campaigns based on their needs
Knowledge exchange events that surface innovations and share best practices across contexts
Our events are designed to integrate into longer-term strategies, build lasting relationships, and produce actionable outputs that advance ongoing work.
Example work:
Strategic response workshops with civil society in countries facing internet shutdowns
Convenings connecting progressive parliamentarians with grassroots movements across Africa
Co-design sessions for anti-censorship tool development with target user communities
Multi-stakeholder dialogues on surveillance, privacy, and digital security
Interested in working together?
We'd love to hear about your work and explore how we might collaborate.
Areas of
Focus
We bring deep experience across technology and human rights, movement building, and community organizing. Our work spans from analyzing surveillance tools for international NGOs to designing learning communities for parents navigating uncertain times. What connects it all: helping people and organizations build power through strategy, connection, and sustainable practice.
Technology & Digital Rights
Surveillance & Privacy Government and corporate surveillance analysis, digital safety for high-risk activists, data protection advocacy, online gender-based violence prevention
Censorship & Information Control Internet shutdowns advocacy and preparation, circumvention tools and strategies, legal restrictions on speech, platform content moderation impacts
Internet Access & Freedom of Expression Connectivity as human rights issue, journalism under threat, affordable access advocacy
Emerging Technologies Understanding the political, social and economic impact of Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies
Movement Building & Civic Space
Organizing Strategy Movement building in constrained and open contexts, cross-border solidarity networks, coalition building, advocacy under authoritarianism
Electoral & Political Strategy Planning around elections, defending democratic gains, post-election accountability, preventing authoritarian backsliding
Sustainable Activism Preventing burnout and organizing with joy and creativity as political practice
Community Resilience & Learning Reading groups as movement infrastructure, participatory education, peer learning networks, political education that builds action
Professional & Creative Practice
Art & Cultural Strategy Creativity as resistance, humor and satire as tactics, narrative and communications strategy, public art and performance, visual campaign design and multimedia production
Professional/Personal Coaching for Change Navigating change, job loss and burnout, professional identity work with a mission-driven focus, skills translation for new contexts