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Project Announcement: Prevention Academy for British Columbia Municipalities on Countering Online Harms

Publication Date:

03/09/2025

Content Type:

News

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British ColumbiaCountering Online Harmsdigital literacyNorth America Regional Hubonline harassmentPrevention Academy

— 5 minutes reading time

Context

Around the world, municipalities face growing offline repercussions from hate speech and other online harms. Often fuelled by disinformation and amplified by rapid technological changes and the reach of digital platforms, these harms can fracture social cohesion, erode public trust and escalate tensions, at times leading to real-world violence.

Launched on 3-4 September 2025 at a Strong Cities workshop in Vancouver (British Columbia), the Strong Cities Network’s Prevention Academy for British Columbia Municipalities on Countering Online Harms equips mayors, councillors, local government staff and community partners with the tools, knowledge and collaborative frameworks needed to address threats such as hate speech, disinformation, cyberbullying and other harmful content.

This initiative positions municipalities as key actors in countering online harms, ensuring they are not only better positioned to react to digital threats but also to proactively build safer, more inclusive and resilient communities that are better able to identify and mitigate the impacts of these harms.

The Academy offers two tracks: a General Track open to all municipalities, as well as relevant federal, provincial and community partners across the province, and a Deep Dive Track that offers customised training, unique peer-learning opportunities and support to eight (8) British Columbia municipalities over 20 months.

Goals and Objectives

The Academy seeks to empower and provide mayors and other local elected leaders, and municipal officials with the knowledge and tools to achieve:

• Stronger municipal leadership in identifying, preventing, denouncing and otherwise responding to online harms, including public messaging around online harassment targeting local officials or communities;
• Improved advocacy with neighbouring municipalities forming coalitions to push for provincial- and federal-level legal and policy changes; 
• Enhanced community resilience by fostering digital and media literacy and public awareness of online risks;
• Sustainable multi-actor collaboration through integrating local government, law enforcement, local institutions and civil society into enduring partnerships; 
• Advanced community safety and well-being capabilities, including specialised training in online threat detection and intervention;   
• Effective and human rights-compliant use of technology for monitoring, analysing and providing early warning; and
• Increased victim support, ensuring access to counselling and legal services for those targeted by or otherwise negatively impacted by online harms.

Methodology and Curriculum

General Track (Webinar Series Open to All Municipalities and Partners)

Starting in October 2025, a series of ten (10) learning modules will be delivered by Canadian subject-matter experts and other members of the Strong Cities Prevention Academy team over the course of 20 months on key issues, including:

1. Introduction to Online Harms in British Columbia – Impacts on Municipalities  
2. Identifying & Documenting Online Harms – Tracking Online Hate Speech and Understanding Disinformation Tactics  
3. Existing Legislation and Frameworks on Online Harms – Implications for BC Municipalities  
4. The Role of Municipalities in Addressing Online Harms – An Overview of Municipal Practices/Lessons Learned from across the Strong Cities Network and Beyond  
5. Engaging Diverse Voices and Building Trust – Fostering Dialogue, Increasing Reporting, Promoting Digital and Media Literacy and De-Escalating Hate-Driven Situations   
6. Safeguarding Youth Online – Leveraging Education, Municipal Partnerships and Services   
7. Supporting Victims of Online Hate and Harassment  
8. AI, Emerging Digital Threats and Content Moderation 
9. Managing Crisis Communication and Promoting Information Integrity  
10. Applied Coordinated Local Prevention Strategies – offering municipalities actionable strategies rooted in existing community safety and well-being work. 

* Topics subject to change, particularly in response to emerging needs identified by municipalities.

Deep-Dive Track (Pilot with Eight Municipalities)

• Customised Training & Advisory Support
  Hands-on guidance for municipal leaders, municipal staff, law enforcement, community organisations and others.
• Technical Support Fund
  Targeted funding for the design and piloting of municipality-led initiatives to counter online harms.
• Impact Measurement & Knowledge Exchange
  Municipalities participating in the Deep Dive track are expected to designate five (5) core Prevention Academy members (including elected officials and municipal staff) to ensure consistent knowledge acquisition and commit to actively engage with Prevention Academy and produce one actionable deliverable with support from the Strong Cities Prevention Academy team.

Prevention Academy Team

The Strong Cities North America Regional Hub will be responsible for day-to-day management, programme delivery and coordination of the initiative. A Canadian Advisory Group, led by Strong Cities and representatives from relevant Canadian organisations, will provide strategic direction to the initiative. Strong Cities will also rely on a Subject Matter Expert (SME) pool, which will include Canadian and other practitioners, researchers and others with experience working with municipalities and/or on addressing online harms in British Columbia or the wider Canadian context, that will help both prepare modules, deliver trainings and provide dedicated support to the municipalities selected for the Deep Dive track.

The Strong Cities Network Prevention Academy for British Columbia Municipalities on Countering Online Harms is a project of the Charities Aid Foundation Canada (CAF Canada), supported by the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation.

About the Strong Cities Network 

Strong Cities is an independent global network of 275+ cities and other local governments – including more than 40 members in North America – dedicated to addressing all forms of hate, extremism and polarisation, while promoting a human rights-based prevention framework. Through in-person and online convenings, exchanges and trainings, Strong Cities facilitates sharing and learning among mayors and other local leaders as well as municipal-level practitioners. By doing so, it helps local authorities leverage their full potential in prevention, while complementing national, regional and global efforts.   

About the Charities Aid Foundation Canada

Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Canada is part of the CAF International Network, a partnership of independent organizations spread across six continents. By uniting our efforts, and with a shared purpose, we are committed to breaking down barriers to giving, building on our impact, and driving meaningful change around the world.

About Foundation for a Path Forward

Championing innovative and evidence-based anti-racism and community resilience programs, since its inception in 2020, the Foundation has impacted over 750,000 individuals, formed 200+ organisational relationships, and established an office in Toronto, Calgary, and Moncton. The Foundation’s anti-racist and start-up mindset is developing and delivering innovative and impactful solutions for key challenges faced by Canadians, including racism, public safety, gender equality, youth empowerment, mental health, interfaith and communal tensions, refugees and more.

About the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation 

The Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation was created with a focus on strengthening the local Jewish community, the global Jewish community, and helping to develop innovative solutions to challenging societal issues. Over the next few months, the leadership will be sharpening its focus on specific areas of philanthropic investment and establishing its grantmaking policies and practices. The Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation was founded by and its board is comprised of Bernard Pinsky, Stephen Gaerber and Jack Bogdonov.

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