About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The program will take place from 20 to 26 September 2026 in Montenegro, bringing together participants from across the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe.
The initiative targets students, journalists, activists, researchers, and early-career professionals interested in digital policy and human rights in the digital age.
The school is designed to foster regional cooperation and provide participants with practical knowledge and analytical tools to understand and respond to emerging digital challenges.
Focus on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights
This year’s program places a strong emphasis on the rapidly expanding role of artificial intelligence and its implications for human rights, governance, and society.
Participants will explore how AI technologies are reshaping political, economic, and social systems, with a particular focus on risks and regulatory challenges.
Travel Guides & Travelogues
Key thematic areas include:
AI-driven surveillance systems and facial recognition technologies
Algorithmic decision-making in policing and public administration
Socioeconomic impacts of automation and labor displacement
Environmental footprint of AI infrastructure and data centers
AI-generated disinformation, online harassment, and content manipulation
Policy responses, regulation, and digital rights advocacy strategies
Organizers emphasize that the program aims to critically examine both the opportunities and risks associated with AI, especially in the context of Southeast Europe.Application Details and Deadline
Applications for the 2026 Digital Rights Summer School are now open. Interested candidates must apply through the official application form provided by the SHARE Foundation.
Key deadlines and selection details:
Application deadline: 6 July 2026, 17:00 CEST (Belgrade time)
Selection results announced: later in July 2026
Program dates: 20–26 September 2026
Location: Montenegro
Applicants are encouraged to apply early and ensure all required information is completed accurately.About the Program and Organizers
The Digital Rights Summer School is part of a broader initiative by the SHARE Foundation to strengthen digital rights awareness and policy engagement in Southeast Europe.
Previous editions have addressed topics such as:
Algorithmic governance and AI ethics
Digital privacy and online security
Media freedom and online information ecosystems
Socio-environmental impacts of digital technologies
The initiative has historically brought together journalists, activists, researchers, and policy experts to examine how digital transformation affects democratic societies.
Education
The 2026 edition continues this trajectory, with an expanded focus on artificial intelligence and its growing influence on governance, rights, and everyday life.
The program is implemented as part of a project supported by GIZ on behalf of a commissioning partner.
How to apply