Defending Participation

The Defending Participation project strengthens the resilience of Jewish organisations and those working to combat antisemitism, supporting their participation in public and democratic discourse on- and offline. The project is based on the recognition that threats increasingly originate online and are closely linked to risks in the physical world. Online hate, targeted disinformation and cyberattacks can seriously compromise an organisation’s safety and ability to participate in society.

Defending Participation therefore operates at the intersection of cybersecurity and efforts to combat antisemitism – an area where knowledge of current threats and suitable support structures have so far been lacking. Working closely with partner organisations, the project develops measures tailored to their specific needs and risk profiles.

The project is built on three main pillars: threat analysis through regular online monitoring to identify and assess threats, cyberattacks and antisemitic campaigns at an early stage; capacity building through training, workshops and practical guides that strengthen digital security and help organisations respond to online threats; and security and emergency plans, co-developed with partner organisations and adapted to their staffing, organisational and technical circumstances.

The project also aims to produce a practical guide for policymakers and public authorities that will bring together its key findings. Its goal is to raise awareness of the specific digital threats facing Jewish organisations and those working to combat antisemitism, and to offer concrete recommendations on prevention, protective measures and institutional support.

The project thus strengthens digital resilience and helps create safe conditions for participation in society and freedom of expression.

Let’s get in touch
kontakt@democ.de
Phone: +49 30 57712221

Funding
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.