U.S. Embassy Nairobi: Strengthening Cybersecurity Awareness Grant

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This project will leverage a cybersecurity public awareness campaign over SMS and social media, a series of cybersecurity lectures at American Spaces, and engagements with U.S. cybersecurity experts. Subject to availability of funds, the project will be scaled up later through use of traditional media.

The project will build the capacity of the participants to understand the 5 Ws of –cybersecurity:

• What is cybersecurity?

• When cybersecurity is breached, what are the ramifications?

• Who is at cybersecurity risk?

• Why is cybersecurity important?

• Where can a victim of cybersecurity violations seek help or legal redress?

The project supports the Embassy’s strategic goals of strengthening capacity to prevent and respond to threats of crime, to counter violent extremism, and to contribute to regional peace and security particularly targeting at-risk youth. The project will demonstrate how cybersecurity impacts a nation’s state of health, economic prosperity, and democratic space.  It will also promote cybersecurity dialogue at American Spaces. Ideal partners include organizations that specialize in messaging and amplification leveraging on technology.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Public Affairs of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to design and implement a program to strengthen capacity to prevent and respond to cybersecurity threats.

Priority Region: 

Nairobi

Program Objectives: 

The project implementers will identify youth at risk and strengthen their capacity to prevent and respond to threats of cybersecurity. 

Specifically, the project should: 

1) Identify and train the target audience to recognize the dangers of cybersecurity threats and take action to reduce vulnerabilities.

2) Develop participants’ understanding and appreciation of safe online navigation and common scams.

3) Develop training activities to demonstrate how cyber security impacts a nation’s state of health, economic prosperity, and democratic space.

4) Create, implement, and analyze a text message campaign and a social media campaign sharing information about cybersecurity with the public.

5) Leverage on Embassy speakers, alumni of US Government sponsored programs, U.S. Cybersecurity experts and use of the American Spaces in Nairobi.

Participants and Audiences:

The target audiences should include at least 500 vulnerable youth – 15 to 35 years old and mixed-gender.  The priority region for this project is Nairobi.