LGBTQI organisations in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have limited opportunity to speak. When they do, it’s vital they have the tools and resources they need to communicate effectively. As part of DataWise  eight LGBTQI organisations are selected from existing and trusted partners in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to empower grassroots organisations working at the intersection of LGBTQI, women’s and young people’s rights to use data, design, and storytelling to build and strengthen community, inspire action, and hold power to account.

After participating in DataWise, organisations will: collect and use data to inform and
implement innovative advocacy strategies; transfer newly acquired data skills to their own communities using D4C toolkits and resources; and communicate insights from original data and
research online and offline to hyperlocal, regional, and global audiences.

The eight selected organisations are split into two cohorts of four. Each cohort will complete a full set of activities that fall under three streams: “collect”, “coach”, and “communicate”.

Collect

Eight LGBTQI organisations collaborate with D4C data coaches to identify relevant existing data (“data maps”) and missing data (“data gaps”). Coaches work with each organisation to co-create an innovative, ethical and secure data collection strategy that generates original data about LGBTQI  rights.

Coach

Up to 16 LGBTQI leaders (two per organisation) participate in D4C’s immersive and interactive
three-month Data Skills Fellowship. They acquire a foundational understanding of the data workflow (collect, clean, understand, communicate) and apply these skills to create and publish a dataproject of their own. They participate in virtual “link and learn” events to share knowledge with their cohorts and they lead in person Data Skills Bootcamps to transfer knowledge to their
communities. They confidently and actively use data insights to create and implement new 12-month data advocacy strategies for their organisations and create up to two data-driven advocacy outputs each.

Communicate

LGBTQI organisations share data insights with diverse audiences from hyperlocal (e.g. their own communities, families) to global (e.g. diplomats, rapporteurs, funders). With D4C data, design & storytelling coaches, each organisation co-creates a series of online and offline communications as part of a data-driven ‘dispatch’, and contributes to a multi-stakeholder, cross-regional and cross-theme data-driven advocacy campaign that speaks to a global audience. They participate in virtual meetings with international stakeholders, presenting original data on LGBTQI rights and reporting on their countries’ human rights records.

Data4Change’s three-year DataWise project wasa collaboration with community-led LGBTQI+ organisations in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda.

By strengthening data skills and advocacy capacity among eight organisations, these communities have transformed how they engage with data, and use it to advocate for their rights more effectively.

Through tailored data coaching, DataWise has created space for collaboration, resilience, and self-sufficiency, and our partners have used data and design to amplify their voices and push for change within their regions.

Implementation

Throughout this project, we have embraced a number of innovative approaches and methodologies that reflect our commitment to improving the effectiveness of our advocacy and extending our reach.

We prioritised collaboration with a variety of stakeholders at local, national, and international levels, developing customised advocacy plans with each partner organisation.

We integrated cutting-edge data coaching and management strategies tailored specifically for LGBTQI+ organisations. Blended learning, with online sessions, self-paced study material and some in-person sessions, increased accessibility for participants across different regions.

Interactive dialogues via platforms like social media, Mural, and Slack encouraged dynamic conversations and feedback. This approach was instrumental in fostering ongoing engagement with data skills, even beyond the formal training events.

Impact

Since its inception in 2021, the DataWise project has supported LGBTQI+ organisations in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda, enhancing their capacity for data-driven advocacy. Among our key achievements, we are particularly proud of:

⭐Strengthening the capacity of 16 LGBTQI+ leaders through an intensive 3-month Data Fellowship program equipping them with foundational data skills and the confidence needed to drive advocacy efforts.

⭐Supporting the design and production of 16 data-driven projects and 32 advocacy outputs, including visual data stories, which have been utilised both locally and internationally to influence policy dialogues and shape public opinion.

⭐Designing an innovative data collection methodology, which blends data, art, and personal experiences. This approach provides a secure and ethical method for gathering sensitive information while maintaining participant anonymity.

⭐Collaborating with our LGBTQI+ partners and their communities to further strengthen their data skills through community bootcamps, complemented by data coaching both in-person and online. Participants’ pre-test scores averaged 65%; after completing the program, they averaged 82%.

“I never attended any training like that before, so everything was new to me. I now know Google surveys can be done in another language. It’s been difficult for us in the north to answer surveys in English, this training has opened my eyes and made me start to think that I can even create it in Hausa language, so some of our community can take part in it.”

— Participant feedback

In Nigeria, LGBTQI+ leaders significantly improved their data management, visualisation, and communication skills. This newfound confidence has reduced reliance on external consultants, encouraging local advocates to lead data-driven campaigns within their communities.

In Uganda, Eric Ndawula’s experience with DataWise led them to establish the Lifeline Youth Empowerment Center (LYEC), a data-led organisation now spearheading critical initiatives to amplify the voices of Uganda’s queer community.

The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) expanded its advocacy impact and achieved a historic legal victory in Kenya, securing the right to register with ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’ in its title.

Similarly, Initiative for Equality and Non Discrimination (INEND) became the first LGBTQI+ organisation in Kenya to gain official election observer status, expanding the inclusivity of the electoral process.

Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) in Uganda has utilised their enhanced data skills to monitor human rights violations under the Anti-Homosexuality Act. Their systematic data collection has shed light on the violence, evictions, and arrests faced by the LGBTQI+ community, providing vital information that was previously unavailable.

“I strongly believe my experience during the fellowship has not only benefited me but also the team I work with since the tactics and skills attained will ease our advocacy work”.

— Ugandan Fellowship participant

“This course allowed us to be creative, think outside the box, and practically apply the skills we learned. We’re now able to present data in new ways, increasing the impact of our advocacy work.”

— Participant feedback

Lessons Learned

We learned the importance of adaptability in politically volatile environments, particularly when advocating for vulnerable communities.

Self-paced learning meant that grassroots organisations were able to fit data coaching into their busy schedules, ensuring retention and application of skills. Ongoing support beyond initial training proved crucial to sustaining long-term impacts. Additionally, innovative safeguarding approaches have proven effective, providing secure ways to collect sensitive data in high-risk settings. We now recognise the need for further training and support to ensure the longevity of these initiatives.

“Absolutely, amazingly and remarkably necessary for change makers and storytellers. I did not know how much power I would have to be able to analyse data to advocate for social justice”.

— Kenyan Fellowship participant

Conclusion

DataWise has strengthened LGBTQI+ organisations across four countries, equipping them with essential data skills to drive impactful advocacy.

The grant has proven transformative in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, influencing policy, and shaping public discourse. The project’s scalability offers potential for expansion across other regions and communities. With continued support, we aim to extend these innovations, collaborating with local partners to advocate for their rights using data-driven strategies.

“It will help me make use of the data collected by the organisation not only for resource mobilization but also in displaying to the different stakeholders the data that has been analysed”.

— Kenyan Fellowship participant