Advocacy for Generation Digital Application 2026 Guidelines
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for grant proposals to implement the Advocacy of Surf Smart Programme known as Advocacy for Generation Digital (A4GD) - Digital Superheroes. This opportunity is made possible through the generous support of Norton (GEN) as part of the global WAGGGS-Norton/Gen partnership. The Advocacy for Generation Digital Curriculum follows the WAGGGS Girl Guide non-formal education methodology, with activities that are relevant, engaging, adaptable, and learner led. It includes age-appropriate activities for participants aged 7 to 16+ years. The curriculum forms the advocacy and implementation component of the Surf Smart Programme. It supports girls and young people to move beyond awareness and advocate to promote online safety, digital wellbeing, and inclusive digital access in their communities.
Note that this call for application is open for implementation of Advocacy for Generation Digital Curriculum (A4GD) only.
Surf Smart
Surf Smart began as a response to the growing need for internet safety education among girls and young women and has grown into a global movement promoting safe and empowering digital engagement. The programme aims to raise a generation of internet-savvy children and young people who use the internet to make a positive difference in the world. Through engaging, non-formal education, Surf Smart enhances digital skills, equips participants with tools to stay safe online, and encourages them to advocate for safer, more inclusive online spaces. It empowers young people to think critically, act responsibly, and lead the way in creating a better internet for all.
Advocacy for Generation Digital Curriculum (A4GD)-Digital Superheroes:
The Advocacy for Generation Digital Curriculum follows WAGGGS Girl-Guide non-formal education methodology, with activities that are Relevant, Exciting, Adaptable and Learner-led. There are different activities suitable for different ages from 7 to 16+ years. It is the advocacy and implementation part of Surf Smart Programme.
This activity pack supports facilitators and groups to become Digital Superheroes, building on their Surf Smart experience to design and lead youth-driven advocacy projects that promote a safer, more equal, and more inclusive internet. The curriculum is designed for young people aged 7 years and above who have completed the Surf Smart Programme, with age-appropriate activities for Younger Years (7–10), Middle Years (11–15), and Older Years (16+), progressing from simple advocacy steps to more complex actions for systemic change.
The aim of Advocacy for Generation Digital is to equip children and young people to lead change, speak out, and action on online safety and digital inclusion issues that affect their lives. While the internet offers powerful opportunities to connect, share, and advocate, it also presents growing risks such as misinformation, cyberbullying, online abuse, censorship, and emerging challenges linked to Artificial Intelligence (AI). These risks are further intensified by the digital divide and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, which disproportionately affect girls and young women. Through this curriculum, young people are empowered to critically understand these challenges and take collective action to create safer, more inclusive digital spaces both online and offline.
Note: This Advocacy for Generation Digital curriculum is available to MOs from February, enabling implementation to begin in April 2026.
Links to Activities and Resources:
Surf Smart Programme in Campfire: Surf Smart Dashboard
Advocacy for Generation Digital Curriculum: Click Here
The Advocacy for Generation Digital Global Fund
In order to help implement Advocacy for Generation Digital, Member Organisations are invited to apply for a grant of up to £8,000 (eight thousand GBP). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the final deadline for submission is 6th March 2026 with funding decisions shared shortly after. Grant recipients are expected to deliver the programme from April 2026 onwards and will have up to 12 months to carry out the grant activities.
Who is this fund for?
WAGGGS Member Organisations (MOs)
Groups of Member Organisations
Component Associations (CAs) within a Member Organisation
If applying as a regional group of Member Organisations, the application will need to come from one lead MO on behalf of all MOs involved.
To be eligible for this fund MOs must:
Be up to date on payment of membership fees to WAGGGS or have an agreed payment plan in place.
Have implemented the Surf Smart 2.0 curriculum before or being part of Surf Smart 2.0 curriculum in this phase.
What can the Advocacy for Generation Digital fund be used for?
The Advocacy for Generation Digital Fund supports member organisations to reach children and young people with the Advocacy for Generation Digital curriculum by assisting with specific costs related to delivery such as:
Hiring training venues to train leaders on the packs
Implementation of Advocacy Projects related with curriculum
Printing curriculum and materials
Transport costs for volunteers to attend trainings
Translation of curriculum into the local language
Advocacy Outreach (Includes reaching out to Decision-makers)
Costs associated with internet or data packs to help unit leaders run the activities or join trainings
Licenced platforms or tools for online training
Logistics to conduct Surf Smart Advocacy events (Training/Workshops/Campaigns)
What is the timeline for applications and programme implementation? (Note that this is the tentative timeline and may change if necessary)
March 6, 2026: Last Date to submit Grant Application
March 6-14, 2026: Final selection of Member Organisations
March 21, 2026, onwards: Contract Signing and Commencement of activities
April 2027: Expected end date of programme delivery
How to apply?
Fill out the attached Application Form. The level of details submitted in this form will help us assess the funding application. Kindly submit your applications with subject title “Advocacy for Generation Digital Application 2026” to [email protected]. For any queries related to the application, please contact [email protected].
When applying, please consider resources and opportunities you already have that you can contribute to rolling out the Surf Smart Programme focusing on Advocacy on Generation Digital in your MO (consider human resources, upcoming events already planned, as well as financial resources, etc.).
Co-educational settings: Advocacy for Generation Digital Curriculum of Surf Smart Programme can be delivered to both girls and boys thus, MOs targeting both genders are welcome to apply.
Applications will be scored on the following criteria:
Clear project plan: MO has a specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound plan.
Realistic budget: There is a clear explanation on how the funds applied for are essential to delivering the project, and how the funds would enable the project to achieve its aims.
Demonstrated commitment to the programme aims: The MO has a proven track record or has shown substantial interest in taking steps towards the programme results, relevant to the topic.
Mainstreaming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) concepts: The MO has considered how they will ensure accessibility and equal opportunities.
MO contribution: The MO is encouraged to show how it will contribute some of its own resources to the project (not necessarily financial, but also human resources) and use existing events and projects to promote and embed the programme within the organisation.
Innovation: The MO is encouraged to identify areas for innovations in the programme to reach more children and young people especially girls and young women.
Social Impact: The MO considers social impact in its strategy and approach ensuring young people can lead social action projects on issues relevant to them locally and globally.
Sustainability: The MO is encouraged to identify sustainability mechanisms such as exploring potential partnerships and collaboration with various government, non-government or corporate institutions, and advocacy activities that could contribute to the programme’s sustainability.
MO benefit: The funding will help to build the capacity of the MO and contribute to their strategic plan. MOs should explain how they feel funded work will help achieve the organisational objectives.
You may be asked for more information if we have questions about your application.
Final grants awarded may differ from the amount applied for – the team will take into account the above criteria to decide on the appropriate amount to be awarded.
What happens if I am successful?
If your application is accepted, you will be asked to sign a grant agreement, after which WAGGGS will make a payment to your MO’s bank account. As part of the grant agreement and transfer of funds, our MO be committed to the following:
Using the funds granted solely for the purposes stipulated in the grant agreement.
Delivering quarterly progress reports to WAGGGS as per the reporting template and timeline in the agreement.
Providing WAGGGS with your MOs Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. If it is not in place yet this, you will be asked to work on developing one through the course of the project.
Providing WAGGGS with your MOs diversity and inclusion strategy. If you do not have this, you will be asked to work on developing one through the course of the project.
Completing the WAGGGS Capacity Assessment Tool (if not done yet).
Advocacy for Generation Digital Curriculum training: MOs delivering the fund must be trained in Advocacy for Generation Digital Curriculum. We will deliver training on new advocacy curriculum “Advocacy for Generation Digital”. We will conduct series of trainings.
Need help with your application?
Grant Application form Orientation Schedule
We will conduct a series of orientation sessions to guide MOs on accomplishing the grant application template and to address questions and clarifications. Kindly sign-up through the given link if you wanted to be part of the orientation.
Application Orientation Signup link: Registration for Orientation on A4GD – Fill out form
Contact Details
If you have any questions, require clarification, wish to schedule training of trainers, or any support needed, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] keeping Global Programmes Manager, Surf Smart in CC via [email protected].
