Special support for R&D projects "COVID-19 impact on hate crimes and violence"

The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) opens applications on January 25 for special support for R&D projects on the Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on crimes of incitement to hatred and violence and on hate speech, with the aim of funding initiatives that enable the production and dissemination of knowledge and action research on crimes of incitement to hatred, as well as violence and the expression of hate speech in the wake of the pandemic. Applications can be submitted until February 15, 2021.

This special support granted by the FCT has the coordination of the Secretary of State for Citizenship and Equality, and the support of the High Commissioner for Migration, IP (ACM) and the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG). It is being launched at a time when various European and international organizations are recommending that we strengthen our understanding of crimes of incitement to hatred and violence of a racist, xenophobic, gender and homophobic nature, while also warning of the low rates of reporting and participation.

The United Nations (UN) recommends that hate speech related to COVID-19 be recognized, monitored, collected and trended at national and global levels to support effective responses, and that relevant actors - states, media, digital platforms and civil society organizations - develop strategies to identify, analyze and counter hate speech. Responding to these recommendations and concerns is the central objective of this special support.

A budget of 200,000 euros is earmarked for this support and the selected projects will be funded up to a maximum of 40,000 euros per project, for a maximum duration of 10 months. Approved projects will be financed by national funds through the FCT budget.