The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) is the main financing instrument of the European Union adopted by the European Parliament and the Council for the promotion of democracy and human rights around the world. This instrument works “to contribute to the development and consolidation of democracy and the rule of law as well as to the respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, within the framework of the European Union’s policy on development cooperation with third countries and consistently with the EU’s foreign policy as a whole.”
Civil society and NGOs are an important part of EIDHR. The instrument recognizes civil society as an effective force for political reform and defence of human rights. It works directly with NGOs in an independent manner, leading to greater flexibility and improved capacity in implementing projects in various countries for promotion and protection of human rights. EIDHR provides grants to projects implemented by civil society groups at local, national and international level.
In this context, it has now launched a call for proposals for civil society organizations, NGOs, nonprofit entities etc to extend grants funding to them for the support of human rights defenders. This “Support to Human Rights Defenders” call for proposals has been launched for all countries around to world “to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights anddemocracy through the support to human rights defenders (HRDs)” as part of the EIDHAR Strategy Paper 2007-2010 (under Objective 3).
“Civil society organisations, including non-governmental organisations, independent political foundations, community based organisations, and private sector agencies, institutions and organisations and networks thereof at local, national, regional and international level” are eligible to apply under this call for proposals (they should be directly responsible for implementation of the proposed projects).
The Strategy Paper adopted by the European Commission has specific objectives of enhancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in countries and regions where they are most at risk; strengthening the role of civil society in promoting human rights and democratic reform, supporting the peaceful conciliation of group interests and consolidating political participation and representation; supporting actions on human-rights and democracy issues in areas covered by EU guidelines, including dialogues on human rights, human rights defenders, the death penalty, torture, and children and armed conflict; supporting and strengthening the international and regional frameworks for the protection of human rights, justice, the rule of law and the promotion of democracy; and building confidence in and enhancing the reliability and transparency of democratic electoral processes, in particular through election observation.
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IHEU-HIVOS Grant Opportunity for Humanist Organizations
The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) in partnership with HIVOS is inviting applications from humanist organizations for funding as part of the IHEU-HIVOS Humanist Network and Development programme 2010. IHEU “is the world union of humanist, rationalist, secularist and atheist organizations with over 100 member organizations in more than 40 countries. IHEU promotes and defends freedom of conscience and expression, and advocates the separation of religion and state.” Since 1988, IHEU and HIVOS have worked together to promote a Humanist-oriented developmetn through human rights and Humanist networking oriented projects.
Who can apply for funding?
This grants programme is for Humanist organizations only. The following organizations can apply:
1. IHEU Member Organizations in developing countries (according to the DAC list),
2. organizations that have received grants under the IHEU/HIVOS program in one of the last 10 years, and
3. organizations pre-qualified by application (by 1 August 2010).
Organizations that are not members of IHEU can apply for pre-qualification by sending in the pre-qualification application form. See more information on the criteria in the form.
Grant criteria
The project should achieve specified goals in one or more of the following areas:
* promoting Humanism,
* promoting secularism,
* promoting human rights,
* promoting scientific method, or
* building competence and capacity of the organization itself.
The maximum funding available for a single project is 10,000 Euros per year. Projects should preferably be completed within the year of 2011, but projects lasting up to two years can apply for funding for both years from the start.
The application deadline is 1 September 2010. For more information, visit this link.
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Skoll Foundation accepting applications for Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship 2011
The Skoll Foundation has announced that it is now accepting applications for its next round of the Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship. The Awards are an opportunity for organizations led by social entrepreneurs “whose work has the potential for large-scale influence on critical challenges of our time.” ‘Social entrepreneurs’ are those who work for changing the face of business with a strong motivation to improve society and they usually do this by applying innovative and sustainable solutions. A more in-depth definition about this term is provided in the glossary page of Skoll Foundation’s website. Social entrepreneurs who have been working to address the challenges in the areas of tolerance and human rights, health, economic and social equity, peace and security, institutional responsibility, and environmental sustainability can apply for the awards.
Social entrepreneurs applying for the programme should be innovators “who have tested and proved their approach, are poised to replicate or scale up their work to create equilibrium change and engage others with a message that resonates with individuals whose resources are crucial to advancing these solutions.”
Skoll Awards provide grant support to such innovators and their organizations based on certain conditions. Social entrepreneurs can receive what is called later-stage or mezzanine funding, which means a kind of funding for the new organizations that have started its socialentrepreneurship operations by testing their ideas successfully and having documented them with a plan to scale them up as well but have not yet achieved large geographical scale. This is perhaps one of the rare grants funding support offered to new NGOs who have tested their ideas in an innovative manner. However, there will be payment limitations as per the Budget Guidance of the Awards. New ideas that have not been tested are not allowed to apply for the awards.
The grant offered by the Skoll Awards can be used as a core support by the organization “to help organizations expand their programs and capacity to deliver long-term, sustainable equilibrium change.”
The next and final deadline to apply for the awards is 4 August 2010. For more information, visit this link.
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Bill Gates Foundation inviting applications for the $ 1 million Access to Learning Award
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is currently seeking applications for its Access to Learning Award (ATLA). The Award is part of the Foundation’s Global Libraries initiative and honors institutions like public libraries and similar organizations that provide communities, especially the poor and the disadvantaged in developing countries with free access to computers and the internet. Only organizations outside of the United States can apply. The Award will specially recognize those efforts which are innovative in providing the following key services to the needy people:
* Free public access to computers and the Internet.
* Public training to assist users in accessing online information that can help improve their lives.
* Technology training for library staff.
* Outreach to underserved communities.
If your NGO is involved in providing free access to computers and internet for the poor and vulnerable communities, they you can apply for this award. Some previous awardees include cases such as “helping farmers use technology to learn about crop prices and improved practices, teaching job seekers how to increase their technology skills and find employment over the Internet, and showing students how to use web-based resources in their coursework”
The Award provides the winning organization with a cash amount of US $1 million. This amount is one-time prize and it can be used by the organization “towards furtherance of the charitable, educational, scientific, or literary purposes.”
Applications have to be submitted online in English. The deadline to submit applications is 30 September 2010. For more information, visit this link.
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USIP’s 2010 Annual Grant Competition for Peacebuilding Projects
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) supports peacebuilding projects implemented by nonprofit organizations including educational institutions, research institutions and civil society organizations. Under its 2010 Annual Grant Competition, it is currently seeking applications from organizations around the world. Even individuals can apply for funding support under this call. This competition:
*
o supports innovative peacebuilding projects involving research, the identification of promising models and effective practices, the development of practitioner resources and tools, the development and delivery of education, training and dialogue programs, and the production of films, radio programs, and other media.
o funds projects focused on preventing, managing, and resolving violent conflict and promoting post-conflict peacebuilding in settings outside the borders of the U.S. Awards support activities that apply across a broad range of relevant disciplines, skills, and approaches. USIP welcomes proposals of an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary nature.
Topic areas of interest to USIP include, but are not limited to:
* Conflict analysis and prevention;
* Mediation and conflict resolution;
* Postconflict peace and stability operations;
* Religion and peacemaking;
* Women and girls in conflict and peacebuilding;
* Rule of law and transitional justice;
* Economies and conflict;
* Social, psychological, and physical impacts of war and conflict;
* Media and conflict.
Nonprofit organizations such as “institutions of post-secondary, community, and secondary education; public and private education, training or research institutions, and libraries” in the US and other parts of the world can apply for this funding opportunity. While applying, they should present the proof of nonprofit status in their country. The grant competition allows individuals to apply for the grant. However, they should identify a nonprofit organization through which the grants will be managed. “When applicants are employed by an eligible institution, such as a college or university, USIP requires that grants be made to the institution rather than to the individual.”
All applications submitted will be examined initially by the USIP staff, followed by in most cases an external peer review and then further consideration of the panels’ recommendation by USIP’s executivie officers. “USIP does not take positions on policy issues pending before Congress, the executive branch, or other domestic or international bodies, and does not fund “Track 1″ (official) mediation of international disputes. USIP will not fund grant proposals of a partisan political nature or proposals that would inject the grantee or USIP into the policy processes of the United States government or any foreign government or international organization. In addition, in accord with the United States Institute of Peace Act, Section 1709(b), USIP will not use political tests or political qualifications in selecting or monitoring any grantee. Projects that lead to policy recommendations for governments, international organizations, or nongovernmental organizations are welcome, even encouraged, although such recommendations will be those of the grantee and not USIP.”
Grants can be requested for a period of 1-2 years and grants are available between $40,000 and $120,000. “Proposed grant budgets are reviewed by USIP staff, and are subject to modification.”
Applications can be submitted online. The deadline for submissions is 1 October 2010. For more information, visit this link.
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