ARTICLE 19 Europe, in partnership with the Moldovan Association of IT Companies (ATIC), has launched a new training programme offering professional benefits and opportunities for IT professionals, digital security specialists, and system and network administrators to work with civil society on high-impact social projects in Moldova.
In recent years, digital threats targeting civil society organisations, independent media, activists, and vulnerable groups have increased significantly, becoming more complex and harder to manage without specialised support. Attacks such as phishing, account compromise, digital surveillance, and online harassment directly affect non-governmental organisations’ (NGOs’) ability to operate safely and protect their data and teams.
In response to this reality, ARTICLE 19 Europe and the ATIC are launching Training of Practitioners (ToP) — a national initiative dedicated to strengthening the digital security ecosystem in the Republic of Moldova by connecting local ICT expertise with the real and evolving needs of civil society.
Connecting the ICT sector with civil society
The programme is aimed at IT professionals, digital security specialists, system and network administrators, IT managers, and members of civil society with technical skills who wish to expand their competencies and apply their technical expertise in high-impact social contexts.
The programme contributes to the development of a new generation of digital security practitioners capable of assessing real-world risks, working with threat models adapted to the context of the Republic of Moldova and the region, and proposing pragmatic, easy-to-implement solutions.
Participants will learn to:
- Analyse digital risks affecting civil society in Moldova and the region;
- Apply threat modelling grounded in local political, social, and organisational realities;
- Design pragmatic, scalable security solutions adapted to real-world constraints;
- Communicate clearly and responsibly with non-technical users and organisations with varying levels of digital skills.
The programme emphasises a people-centred, threat-modelling-based approach, preparing practitioners to support organisations and communities in preventing, mitigating, and responding to digital threats.
What opportunities does the programme offer?
By participating in the ToP programme, you will be able to:
- Gain hands-on experience working directly with NGOs and independent media;
- Receive one-to-one mentoring from regional digital security experts while implementing real-world solutions;
- Access mini-grants to deliver trainings, audits, security services, or infrastructure improvements for civil society;
- Expand your professional profile and specialise in digital security for public interest contexts;
- Make a meaningful contribution to democratic resilience and social good in the Republic of Moldova.
Structure of the training programme
The Training of Practitioners (ToP) programme follows a structured learning and application pathway:
In-person trainings (2 days) – last week of February 2026
Intensive sessions organised in Chișinău, Bălți, and Cahul, providing participants with a shared understanding of the digital threat landscape in Moldova and the region, with a focus on real-world risk models and applicable interventions.
Online training programme (3 months): March – June 2026
24 hours of online sessions delivered by regional and international experts, focusing on risk assessment, threat modelling, secure infrastructure, incident response, and ethical engagement with at-risk communities.
Offline ideation and co-creation workshop: June 2026
A practical stage bringing together ToP practitioners and civil society representatives to develop concrete solutions to real digital security challenges.
Mentorship and mini-grant programme: July–September 2026
Selected participants will receive one-to-one mentorship from a regional expert and mini-grants to apply acquired skills in practice and deliver digital security solutions with local impact.
The programme will be implemented across all three regions of the country — the centre, north, and south — contributing to the development of a national network of digital security practitioners.
Applications and participation
The programme is open to ICT professionals and individuals with technical skills from civil society who are interested in professional development, social impact, and working as digital security practitioners.
Previous experience working with civil society is not mandatory.
Activities will take place between February and June 2026. Participation is free of charge, and participant selection will be based on experience, motivation, and professional interest. Training sessions, mentorship, and all programme activities will be conducted in Romanian, Russian, and English, with Romanian interpretation provided where needed.
📌 Application deadline: 16 February 2026
📌 Application link: Securitate Digitală pentru Societatea Civilă – Fill in form
Towards a safer and more inclusive digital future
These activities are part of DigitalSafeguard, a project led by ARTICLE 19 Europe with support from local partners. Through the DigitalSafeguard project, partners aim to strengthen the digital resilience of civil society in the Republic of Moldova by enhancing the capacities of digital security providers and supporting organisations and vulnerable groups with practical tools to protect themselves against digital threats.
The initiative promotes collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of a safer digital environment that enables the secure exercise of fundamental rights.