Protecting civic space in a digital world.
Digital technologies are reshaping civic space, enabling both democratic participation and new forms of repression. Araminta supports civil society actors in navigating this environment safely and strategically.
What we do:
- Digital security training and risk mitigation
- Monitoring disinformation (FIMI) and online manipulation
- Supporting safe and responsible use of AI
We bring together researchers, technologists, and civil society actors to develop shared responses to digital threats – strengthening resilience across borders.
Democratic Resilience and Digital Democracy
Digital technology is changing how societies function across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Social media, artificial intelligence, and fast-moving online information help people organize, share ideas, and hold leaders accountable. But these same tools are also used to spread false information, interfere in elections, monitor activists, and even shut down the internet when citizens start organizing for their rights and freedoms. What happens online now directly affects how we behave in real life, now and in the future. What happens online directly affects our communities, institutions, and public debates.
At Araminta, digital democracy is a growing and forward-looking area of work. We are a small team of human rights and technology specialists and enthusiasts who are building new partnerships and practical tools to help non govermental organizations and movements respond to increasingly challenging digital pressures, from online manipulation and digital surveillance. We combine research, training, and networking to turn shared challenges into shared solutions for a more resilient civic space in a digital future.
Since late 2024, through our FIMI* monitoring initiative and our holistic digital security trainings, we have been working with different partners to track disinformation trends, strengthen online safety, and improve cooperation across borders. To prepare movements for for a digital future, we conven, discuss, and support safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) through new empowerment initiatives that help useAI for social change. Along this line, we convene digital and human rights experts and lawyers to discuss how new technologies affect rights and freedoms and to develop join initiatives aiming at improving civic know-how on these topics.
Our goal is simple: we want to see technology supporting democracy rather than weakening it. As the issues generated by the developmet of new technologies become more complex, we designed this space as a collaborative and a community of practice. We are always looking to connect with like-minded actors in this field, from researchers, civil society leaders, policymakers, funders, and tech experts. We want to build stronger, more transparent digital environments in the region. If this speaks to your work, we would welcome a conversation at any time.
*Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) is a generic term that refers to coordinated efforts by foreign actors to spread misleading or false information – online or offline – in order to influence public opinion and debates, disrupt elections, or weaken trust in democratic institutions.