MDH Challenge
Responses to Misinformation, Disinformation
and Harmful information (MDH)
This competition has two categories, Existing Projects and Future Projects.
Win a trip to the Connect Summit in Doha, funding, mentorship, tech consultancy and more.
Deadline: March 16, 2025
Time is Running Out – Apply Before It’s Too Late!
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Funding, a Trip to Doha or support for your project
Humanitarian efforts aim to support people during their most difficult times. People seek information and help as they navigate complex situations. Our National Societies have witnessed a proliferation of misinformation and disinformation during these times and increasingly have to find ways to counteract it. MDH can distort reality—they endanger humanitarian efforts, erode trust, put communities in harm’s way, and put lives at risk.
False information spreads faster than ever. A single piece of misinformation can delay aid, create chaos, cause harm and put people and humanitarians at risk. Disinformation is used to fuel violence, deepen divides, and erode trust in crisis response.
The challenge? Digital tools and methodologies amplify the problem but can also be part of the solution.
Digital technologies facilitate the spread of MDH, but when used and designed responsibly, digital solutions can also prove critical to reducing their impact. This is why we are inviting staff and volunteers of National Societies to tell us about their bold, tech-driven solutions that monitor, anticipate, verify/evaluate, and counteract MDH.
We also invite National Society staff and volunteers to propose opportunities to develop new practical, tech-based responses that track, anticipate and counter harmful information. Whether it’s AI-powered detection, fact-checking tools, building trust with communities or strategies for rapid response, we are looking for practical solutions.
What is Connect Conference
Connect is an annual face-to-face event focusing on technology co-organised by the IFRC and the ICRC. It seeks to establish a worldwide tech community for National Societies to increase the key technological capability of all National Societies, maximise mutual learning, and speed up our humanitarian impact through technology.Discover our 2024 Tech Pioneers Award on AI
Organisations leveraging technology to address misinformation.
Application Criteria
- You are a staff member or volunteer of a National Society
- Your project uses digital or technologies to counter MDH
- Your submission can be either an existing or future idea.
- Your National Society approves your application
- You are eligible to travel (for Category 1 winners only)
Two Categories, Two Ways to Participate
| Categories | What You Could Win |
| Cat. 1 Proven Impact (Existing Project, 1 prize) |
Trip to Doha to showcase your work + Global IFRC certificate recognising Pioneering projects |
| Cat. 2 Bold New Ideas (Future project, 1 prize) |
7,500 CHF grant + Mentorship to develop your idea + Global IFRC certificate recognising Pioneering projects |
| Special Prize | Technical/digital support from the Innovation Lab of our partner, Monash University Malaysia + Global IFRC certificate recognising Pioneering projects |
| Runners-up | 2,500 CHF grant for top ideas + Global IFRC certificate recognising Pioneering |
Meaningful Prizes
Winners of this competition will receive
- A fully funded trip to the Connect Conference in Doha, Qatar (April 13–17, 2025), where they will present their Proven Impact (Category. 1) work to global humanitarian tech leaders.
- A 7,500 CHF grant for the Bold New Idea (Category. 2) proposal to help turn the idea into reality.
- Two runner-up prizes of 2,500 CHF for Future Bold Ideas (Category. 2)
- An opportunity to have an Innovation Lab (partner of the IFRC Solferino Academy) help you develop your project for Future Bold Ideas (Category. 2)
- Global recognition and certificates
This competition is open to all staff and volunteers of National Societies who are using digital and tech-driven solutions to tackle misinformation, disinformation, and harmful communication (MDH). Digital and technology solutions can be new projects, future initiatives and may use third-party tools (e.g. WhatsApp, Signal, Facebook, TikTok etc)
The Two Categories
Category 1
Proven Impact
Have you developed a digital technology project that successfully addresses MDH? Thanks to your project are users better equipped to navigate the information landscape? Submit a case study demonstrating how it positively impacts communities in the digital space.
- Winner: Fully funded trip to the Connect Conference to showcase the work.
- Runners-up: Global IFRC certificate recognising Pioneering projects.
Do you have an example of work or a project that you implemented to address the impacts of MDH but you are not interested or available for the prize? We are still keen to hear from you! We are trying to collect stories and examples of projects so that we can help others learn from your experience. We encourage you to submit your story so that we can share it with other National Societies.
Important
Attending the Connect conference in Doha will require English proficiency, as sessions and discussions will be conducted in this language. Applicants should be comfortable presenting and engaging in conversations in English. Applicants must also be available to travel between April 12th to April 18th, having a valid passport, and being eligible for a visa to enter Qatar.
Category 2
Bold New Ideas
Do you have an idea for a project to counter MDH, that you want to implement in your national society? Read the details on this page and submit your proposal.
- Winner: Mentorship and 7,500 CHF grant to develop the project.
- Runners-up: 2 runners-up will receive 2,500 CHF each for their project
- Special Prize: If you have an idea for a technology related project to address MDH but you need help building the tech/digital components you could win support from our Global Innovation Partner, Monash University Malaysia and their tech/digital innovation specialists.
- 5 projects will receive special recognition and will be given IFRC Solferino Academy Global IFRC certificate recognising Pioneering projects
Key Dates
- Launch: Week of February 17, 2025
- Application Deadline: March 16, 2025 TIME – 23:59 CET or UTC
- Winner Announcement: March 21, 2025
- Connect Conference in Doha: April 13–17, 2025
Who Can Apply?
- Open to all staff and volunteers from National Societies.
- Projects must leverage digital/technical solutions to address MDH.
- Approval from your National Society is required.
- You can submit more than one entry.
Deadline: Applications due by March 16, 2025
Selection criteria
Category 1
Proven Impact (Project Proposals)
For case studies of projects that have already been implemented and demonstrated results.
- Addresses the Problem – Clearly identifies and tackles a mis/dis/harmful communication (MDH) challenge in a humanitarian context.
- Creativity – Brings a fresh, innovative tech/digital approach to combating MDH.
- Responsible Tech & Humanitarian Accountability – Demonstrates ethical considerations such as risk assessment, data privacy, inclusiveness, transparency, and human-centered design.
- Impact – Shows measurable results, such as improved community outcomes, increased trust, time or cost savings, or other tangible benefits.
Category 2
Bold New Ideas (Project Proposals)
- Addresses the Problem – Clearly defines a critical MDH challenge and proposes a relevant solution.
- Feasibility – Demonstrates a realistic plan for execution, considering available resources, technical requirements, and potential barriers.
- Creativity – Offers an original, forward-thinking approach to tackling MDH.
- Responsible Tech & Humanitarian Accountability – Considers ethical implications, including data responsibility, bias mitigation, and humanitarian principles.
- Impact Potential – Shows a clear vision of how the idea could create meaningful change if implemented.
Selection Process
- Submissions will be reviewed and scored by IFRC Solferino Academy judges.
- A panel of digital and MDH experts from the ICRC, IFRC networks, and beyond will evaluate the top finalists and select the winners.
Finalist & Winner Selection
- The Category 1 winner will receive a fully funded trip to the Connect Conference in Doha (April 13–17, 2025) to present their work.
- The Category 2 winner will receive 7,500 CHF in funding and mentorship to develop their idea.
- The Category 2 Runners Up (2) will receive 2,500 CHF in funding and mentorship to develop their idea
- Runners-up in both categories will receive certificates and global recognition.
- The Category 2 Special Prize: Building the tech/digital components with our Global Innovation Partner, Monash University Malaysia.
- If a team entry is selected, only one (1) representative will be funded to attend the Connect Conference.
Eligibility Reminder
Before applying, ensure you:
- Have approval from your National Society (for both Categories).
- Are eligible to travel with a valid passport and visa for Qatar (for Cat. 1 Proven Impact only).
The Connect Conference team will coordinate travel and logistics for the winners.
Apply
Complete the submission form below with your details, project name and description, a supporting file or document (pdf, word, video)
Why Enter?
- Showcase your work at a major humanitarian event.
- Help others learn from your experience or get new ideas.
- Secure funding and support to bring your idea to life.
- Connect with experts and mentors around the world.
- Gain global recognition for your efforts.
FAQs
- Can I submit more than one entry?
Yes! You can submit multiple projects, either in the same category or across both categories. Just make sure to submit each project separately. You will only be eligible for one prize from all categories and options. - Do I need to have a fully developed project to win Category #2 prizes?
No! Prize Category 2 is specifically for new ideas, while Prize Category 1 is for proven initiatives. We welcome diagrams, descriptions, slideshows, short videos, flyer mockups, photos or even demonstrations of your idea. - Can I submit a project or an idea if I am not interested in any of the prizes?
Yes! We’d love to hear how you and your National Society are approaching MDH. Share your story.
What is an eligible technical or digital solution?
Digital and Technology tools, processes and methodologies will be considered. Following the criteria of each Category Prize, we will accept digital or technology tools, digital or technology-driven processes/methodologies, and campaigns using third-party technologies.
Eligibility Reminder
Before applying, ensure you:
- Have approval from your National Society (for both Categories).
- Are eligible to travel with a valid passport and visa for Qatar (for Cat. 1 Proven Impact only).
The Connect Conference team will coordinate travel and logistics for the winners.
Take Action Against Misinformation
Apply now and help shape the future of humanitarian action.
Deadline: Applications due by March 16, 2025
This year, the IFRC Solferino Academy, alongside partners, will produce the World Disasters Report focused on MDH. Throughout 2025, we will be running activities and promoting stories, thinking, and approaches to tackling MDH in our work. Join our mailing list to be kept updated on these and other activities.
Tell My MDH Story
‘Tell My MDH Story’ lets you share your experience, but this option isn’t part of the competition, doesn’t include prizes, and will only be used for learning purposes for other National Societies, and not published publicly without your additional consent.