Digital security training course for ILGA Academy: invitation to bid for consultancy services

ILGA World is seeking a qualified organisation to design and develop a comprehensive digital security training course for ILGA Academy, ILGA World’s global capacity-building platform for LGBTI human rights defenders.The primary purpose of this assignment is to strengthen the digital resilience, safety, and operational capacity of LGBTI organisations and activists worldwide by providing accessible, practical, and contextually relevant training on digital security.THE ORGANISATIONILGA World is a worldwide federation of more than 2,300 organisations from over 170 countries and territories, ensuring that lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people worldwide can exercise their human rights.Our vision is of a world where the human rights of all are respected; where everyone can live in equality and freedom; and where justice and equity are assured and established for all, including persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.ILGA World has ECOSOC consultative status at the United Nations. Our members are based in our six regions: Pan Africa ILGA, ILGA Asia, ILGA-Europe, ILGALAC (Latin America and the Caribbean), ILGA North America and the Caribbean, and ILGA Oceania. Governed by an elected Board of 20 activists representing our global family, ILGA World is queer democracy in action. For more information, please visit https://ilga.org.BACKGROUNDAcross all regions, LGBTI organisations and human rights defenders face increasing digital threats, including surveillance, online harassment, doxxing, phishing attacks, device compromise, and other forms of technology-facilitated repression.In many contexts, digital insecurity directly undermines organisational sustainability, staff safety, community trust, and the ability to engage in advocacy and movement-building.ILGA World has, over recent years, strengthened partnerships with digital security actors and referred members to specialised support mechanisms when needed. As ILGA Academy expands as a strategic pillar of ILGA World’s work, alongside advocacy and research, we seek to embed digital security as a core component of movement resilience and protection.OBJECTIVE AND SCOPEThe selected organisation will design and develop a structured digital security training course tailored to LGBTI human rights defenders and organisations operating in diverse political and risk environments. The course will form part of ILGA Academy’s long-term learning architecture and should reflect ILGA’s global reach, regional diversity, and commitment to accessibility and contextual relevance.The training is expected to be designed primarily as a self-guided course to maximise accessibility and scalability, while incorporating interactive and practical elements that support applied learning. Proposals may also include a limited number of facilitated cohort-based sessions to deepen engagement and test the curriculum in practice.SCOPE OF WORKThe selected organisation will be expected to:* Develop a progressive and structured curriculum that moves from introductory digital security fundamentals to more advanced risk mitigation practices suitable for higher-risk environments. * Design approximately 8–10 learning modules that combine clear explanatory content with practical tools, case studies, exercises, and knowledge checks. * Ensure that the content is globally relevant, reflecting the lived realities of LGBTI organisations in different legal and socio-political contexts, while remaining adaptable to regional specificities. * Produce the training initially in English and Spanish, with materials designed to facilitate future translation and contextual adaptation. * Collaborate with ILGA World to ensure alignment with ILGA Academy’s pedagogical framework, accessibility standards, and digital platform requirements. * Provide a clear outline of learning objectives and competencies, including how participants’ knowledge and confidence will be strengthened as a result of the training. * Proposals may also include optional components such as pilot delivery to selected cohorts of ILGA staff and members, feedback integration, or training-of-trainers approaches to strengthen regional delivery capacity.DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAMEThe anticipated timeframe for completion is approximately 3–6 months from contract signature. Deliverables should include* a detailed curriculum outline, * full training content ready for integration into ILGA Academy’s platform, and * documentation of methodology and learning objectives.SKILLSApplicants should demonstrate:* Significant expertise in digital security for civil society, human rights defenders, or marginalised communities * Experience delivering digital security training in diverse and high-risk environments * Capacity to develop structured, pedagogically sound online learning materials * Experience working with global or regional networks is strongly encouraged * Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, intersectional, and rights-based approaches.BUDGET AND PAYMENT MODALITIESILGA World anticipates a budget envelope in the range of CHF 50,000 for this assignment. Proposals should include a detailed budget breakdown, including personnel costs, content development, facilitation (if applicable), translation, and administrative overheads. Payment schedules will be tied to agreed milestones and deliverables.HOW TO APPLYBids should be sent by Friday, 10 April 2026, 9:00 AM Central European Summer Time.Interested organisations are invited to submit:* a technical proposal outlining methodology, curriculum approach, and implementation plan * a financial proposal with a detailed budget * examples of relevant previous work.Proposals and any questions regarding this call should be sent to [email protected].