TED Grants
One of the core pillars of the TED Network objectives is to compile, generate and share evidence-based knowledge and lessons learned. Hence, TED strives to establish partnerships and provide support to stakeholders such as civil society organisations, think-tanks, research institutions and academia to implement specific small-scale projects on topics related to democracy support and relevant both for the TED Network and the partner-countries involved.
The project “Toolkit on the OECD Principles for relevant and effective support to media and the information environment supporting independent media and information integrity” by Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) received a TED grant. GFMD is an international network of journalism support and media development organisations developing and promoting policies and strategies to sustain journalism as a public good. The project funded aims to produce an EU Toolkit that will further enhance an environment for free, independent and responsible media by delivering targeted media support and mainstream media support programs for projects of the EU International Partnerships through their EU Delegations in partner countries.
A grant was awarded to the project “Actionable People-Centered Research on Domestic Violence in Uganda” by The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL). It aims to develop a deeper understanding of the needs and experiences of domestic violence survivors in order to inform the design and delivery of people-centred justice (PCJ) services. Research building on survey data from Uganda, as well as additional qualitative data collection, will be conducted and used for a comprehensive policy-oriented case study. By engaging with both formal and informal justice providers, this research will contribute to improved access to justice and enhanced legal service quality, thereby strengthening public trust in the justice system, as well as gender equality.
The Independent Research Institute of Mongolia (IRIM) and INCITEgov received a grant for the project “Action for Integrity and Democracy Against Disinformation”. The project aims to understand the disinformation landscape in vulnerable democracies by examining Mongolia and the Philippines, and to investigate and evaluate the effectiveness of community-based strategies in combatting disinformation and promoting the resilience of democratic values. The project focuses on the role of community leaders in combatting the spread and impact of disinformation within communities. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, this action research project comprises research, action and reflection, providing hands-on recommendations for community-level interventions on disinformation.
The project “Dialogue in Action: Strengthening dialogue with the private sector to enhance environmental governance” submitted by Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) aims to explore how dialogue between private sector actors and civic and political stakeholders should be designed to effectively strengthen environmental governance. Using an action-oriented methodology, it engages with practitioners and community partners in Colombia to provide actionable insights into a structured approach for involving businesses in responsible environmental decision-making. Ultimately, it aims to promote transparency, accountability, and sustainable governance.
Oxfam received a grant for the project “Research and dialogue in Central America - Building strategies to support democracy“, which aims to investigate the influence of anti-democratic actors and their impact on civic space and democracy in Central America, particularly in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. Through collaborative research and multi-stakeholder dialogue it seeks to analyze the challenges faced by civil society organizations (CSOs), as well as the strategies that have been successful and effective in promoting democratic values. The project will provide CSOs and international cooperation actors in Central America with evidence-based insights and practical approaches to support democracy, offering renewed strategies and methodologies regarding political participation and positive narratives.
A grant was awarded to the Gorée Institute for its project "Putting Research to Work for Democracy and Social Cohesion" focused on strengthening early warning mechanisms and democratic dialogue in West Africa. The initiative aims to analyse emerging risks related to governance, security and social cohesion, and to support local actors in responding more effectively to these challenges. By developing and validating indicators for an early warning system, training young researchers, and facilitating multi-actor dialogues at national and regional levels, the project seeks to reinforce collaborative and evidence-based approaches to conflict prevention. The findings and policy recommendations generated will provide national decision-makers, civil society organisations and international partners with practical insights to support democratic governance and stability in the region.
The Centre d’Initiatives et d’Actions pour l’Accompagnement des Femmes (CiAAF) received a grant for the project “Local Citizen Participation, Terrorism and Border Crises in Northern Benin (PARCINORD)”. The project aims to strengthen inclusive and resilient local governance in areas affected by security-related crises by analysing community perceptions of public action and identifying pathways for more participatory local policymaking. Through a survey, participatory research and the production of a report and a practical guide on collaborative public affairs management, the initiative supports local authorities and civil society actors in involving communities more effectively in decision-making. CiAAF will also produce audiovisual materials to highlight innovative local governance practices, contributing to public awareness and dialogue on improving local governance in crisis-affected regions.