In order to support local initiatives for the promotion and protection of human
rights, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in partnership
with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), established the ACT
Project (Assisting Communities Together) to financially support, through grants,
grassroots activities in the field of human rights carried out by
community-based organizations.
These funds will assist activities that require a relatively small amount of
support to be implemented (up to US$ 5,000) but can nevertheless have an
important impact on the promotion and protection of human rights at the local
level. By supporting such initiatives, the ACT Project facilitates local human
rights work, which plays a vital part in bringing about lasting improvements in
people's daily lives.
The 4th Phase of the ACT Project will be implemented in the following European
countries: Belarus; Bosnia & Herzegovina; Georgia (Abkhazia); Kyrgyzstan;
Moldova; Romania; Serbia and Montenegro; Tajikistan; Uzbekistan.
Examples of initiatives (non-exhaustive list) supported during the previous
phases of the ACT Project:
- Organizing human rights workshops and training courses for teachers, women,
social workers, public officials and indigenous peoples
- Building awareness of children's human rights through theater performances and
discussions
- Producing an album of popular songs based on human rights in a local language
- Organizing contemporary art exhibits, rock concerts
- Translating and recording human rights information for women on cassettes
- Translating and distributing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in
local languages
- Organizing a conference for human rights activists
- Creating information centres for the promotion and protection of human rights
- Producing a television documentary on specific rights
- Elaborating education programmes for specific populations such as prisoners,
prostitutes, HIV-positive persons, orphans, etc
- Establishing human rights youth clubs
- Implementing radio campaigns on human rights
- Supplying activists and lawyers with the Universal Declaration and other
relevant materials
- Developing materials for human rights education
- Assisting victims of human rights violations and their families by informing
them about their rights
- Organizing literary competitions for children on specific rights.
Priority will be given to projects that respond to the following criteria:
- Applicants involved in human rights education, advocacy, training or related
fields at the local level
- The general budget of the applying organization does not provide adequate
means for implementation of the proposed project
- Projects focusing on women's human rights, children's rights, and on
preventing racism, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance.
Call for Proposals, Regional Networking Project A Freedom House Regional
Initiative
Regional Networking Project A Freedom House Regional Initiative
Funded by the United States Agency for International Development
Call for Proposals
Launched originally in 1995 and supported by the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID), Freedom House's Regional Networking Project is pleased to
introduce its new:
Institutional Development Initiative
Background and Objectives
The Institutional Development Initiative seeks to encourage a target group of
policy-oriented think tanks and watchdog organizations in Southern Eastern
Europe (SEE) to more consistently and systematically develop regional projects
and pursue cross-border activities on a long-term basis. Giving a limited number
of key organizations in SEE the opportunity to be less dependent on
project-specific funding, the initiative offers institutional grant awards that
will allow them to develop strategic program focus and organizational capacity
to more effectively carry out regional, cross-border initiatives. As an
important contribution to longer-term institutional development, these grants
will enable the organizations to pursue policy reform initiatives and
cross-border networking, while at the same time diversify their funding sources
and build the capacity of their organizational and governance structures.
Specifically, the goals of the Institutional Development Initiative are:
" To allow policy-oriented NGOs to diversify their funding sources and
strengthen their organizational and governance capacities;
" To support those organizations that pursue multi-country policy reform and
watchdog initiatives on a longer-term basis, to enable them to develop capacity
to be less dependent on project-specific funding; and
" To allow them to focus more strategically and develop organizational capacity
to better engage in regional, cross-border initiatives.
Summary Description and Eligibility
Freedom House Institutional Grant Initiative offers assistance to organizations
in SEE to strengthen their organizational capacity and self-sustainability. In a
two-step application process, Freedom House Budapest will award institutional
grants in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $75,000 to legally registered,
independent NGOs in one or more of the following countries and territories:
Albania , Bosnia & Herzegovina , Bulgaria , Croatia , Kosovo , Macedonia ,
Romania , and Serbia and Montenegro.
To be eligible, organizations must be active in strengthening democratic
institutions and the political transformation process in their respective
country and regionally. Applicants must be engaged in significant public policy
research and advocacy, watchdog or monitoring activities, public-awareness
building, or mobilization initiatives in support of political transition.
NGOs working exclusively in other fields such as economic development, social
service provision or environmental protection will not be considered.
These grants may be used for both general operating and organizational
development expenses, in particular, administration, staff training and
professional development, targeted consulting services and technical assistance,
program evaluation, financial audits, fundraising campaigns and other costs that
would contribute to the institutional development of the grantee. In the
framework of this initiative Freedom House will NOT cover the costs of commodity
purchases, debts or value added taxes.
Via open competition, grant recipients will also be eligible for Freedom House's
on-going grant-giving mechanism, the Regional Project Grants Program . In
addition, finalists will enjoy priority in attending Freedom House-funded
workshops and conferences on NGO operational and institutional development
issues.
Applicants must be able to:
1. Demonstrate a history of cross-border activities and ongoing commitment to a
regional approach:
" Applicants must show a pre-existing commitment to a regional approach to
issues, including a significant history of successful and influential
cross-border programs;
" Applicants should give examples of successful cross -border projects
implemented by their organization in partnership with other NGOs in the region.
2. Demonstrate a sound institutional backbone:
" Applicants should be willing to submit to an audit-like review of their
organizational capacities, including grant management history, organizational
structure, accounting system and other institutional information.
3. Present a sound strategic plan of program and organizational development:
" Applicants must develop a strategic plan for cross-border, regional projects
that will be undertaken during the award period;
" Applicants should identify specific anticipated outcomes aimed to be achieved
with the planned activities;
" The strategic plan should include strategies for institutional development,
including performance measurement and evaluation, fundraising plan, marketing
and outreach strategies, and any subsidiary activities in support of achieving
the best outcomes of the cross-border activities.
4. Submit an estimated budget that:
" Demonstrates the projected budget for the entire operational expenses for
2004-2005;
" Describes in detail the need and relevance to the cross-border activities of
those operational expenses expected to be covered by Freedom House's
institutional support;
" Does not request coverage of administrative costs to more than 50% of the
organization's total administrative budget and not exceed 30% of the overall
budget planned for the period of the grant;
" Follows the sample form provided by Freedom House.
5. Provide five references in support of the application:
" References may be obtained from previous or current donors, as well as
partner NGOs or government agencies familiar with the applicant organization's
work.
How to Apply
Organizations that wish to participate in this special initiative can download
an application and budget form at
http://www.ngonet.org/grants.html#FHGrants. The completed application must
be submitted in original, hard copy and received by Freedom House Budapest by
17:00 (local time in Budapest ), February 13, 2004. Late applications will not
be considered.
If selected for the second phase of the competition, organizations will be
notified by March 12, 2004 . Finalists will receive a set of additional
documents that will allow Freedom House to conduct a review of their
institutional capacities.
Final decisions are expected by April 30, 2004.
Applications should be sent to:
Freedom House Budapest
Falk Miksa u. 30, 1055 Budapest , Hungary
Questions regarding this call for proposals may be addressed to:
Location: Open to NGOs in Albania , Bosnia & Herzegovina , Bulgaria ,
Croatia , Kosovo , Macedonia , Romania , and Serbia and Mont
Deadline: Feb 13, 2004
Website: www.ngonet.org
The Civic Education Project (CEP) invites applications for its 2004-05 Local
Faculty Fellowship program.
The Local Faculty Fellowship program is open to citizens of Albania, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan,
Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Serbia and Montenegro, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and
Uzbekistan.
Academics from the above countries having graduated (or expecting to graduate by
September 2004) from a North American or West European university with a
postgraduate degree in a social science are encouraged to apply. CEP supports
efforts to return to, and remain in, university teaching in the Fellows' home
country by providing a monthly stipend, teaching materials, and participation in
various CEP events and activities.
Local Faculty Fellowships are awarded in the social sciences (including area
studies, anthropology, gender studies, economics, history, political science,
psychology, public administration, and sociology). CEP also offers teaching
fellowships in law and journalism/media studies.
The ECF's mobility fund 'S.T.E.P. beyond ' encourages cross-border cultural
cooperation and exchange between the current European Union states, the
countries joining the EU in 2004 and the new (south) eastern neighbours of the
enlarged European Union. The programme supports individuals engaged in setting
up initiatives that will lead to greater understanding in the new Europe. The
programme addresses arts professional, cultural operators, cultural journalists,
cultural translators and cultural researchers who require mobility support for
identifying and preparing new projects in this field.
European Union- Cooperation with countries outside the European Union
The European Union has concluded a number of cooperation and association
agreements with non-member countries in CEE, the Mediterranean region and other
areas worldwide. All of these agreements include provisions on culture, which
allow projects to receive financing through cooperation programmes between EU
member states and non-member countries. The Europe Aid cooperation office has
been set up to manage all these programmes.
LOCAL PILOT PROJECTS
ON HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION. Application deadlines: May 1, October 1, 2003
Projects must take place between March 2003 and March 2004. Selected projects
can be funded up to a maximum of 7 600 euro. Financial assistance in support of
local pilot projects is important to the Youth Programme on Human Rights
Education because it will allow for new initiatives to be set up and will
motivate supporting local NGOs and groups to undertake action related to human
rights education with young people. By funding pilot projects on human rights
education through the European Youth Foundation, the Directorate of Youth and
Sport seeks to actively contribute to the inclusion of human rights education in
youth work practice and to encourage innovative practices and partnerships, both
in formal and in non-formal education contexts.
More information: http://www.coe.int/hre eycb.secretariat@coe.int
Air traffic safety in South East Europe The Commission and Eurocontrol (European Organisation for the Safety of Air
Navigation), in partnership with the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), have
signed a Grant Agreement for the first phase of a ? 5 million project to
strengthen the aviation sector in South East Europe in terms of air traffic
navigation and air safety .
CULTURAL POLICY ACTION PROJECTS Call for Cooperation with the Policies for Culture Programme of the European
Cultural Foundation and the ECUMEST Association
Policies for Culture (jointly managed by the European Cultural Foundation,
Amsterdam and the ECUMEST Association, Bucharest) requests proposals for
innovative cultural policy projects in Albania, Bosnia– Herzegovina, Croatia,
Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro or Serbia. Policies for Culture supports the
independent cultural sector (artists, cultural managers, producers, researchers,
cultural organisations and other cultural professionals) and policy makers
(ministries, cultural authorities and administrations, parliamentarians, local
governments, city councils, municipalities, etc.) in the development of new
policies and innovative strategies for culture together. Policies for Culture
seeks active cooperation with pilot projects promoting a “participative
policy-making” approach by establishing a real working dialogue between cultural
operators and the policy makers in their countries, regions, cities and
municipalities.
Successful Policies for Culture action projects shall:
•raise awareness and understanding of the cultural sector’s role in developing
cultural policies and strategies;
•encourage and support the cultural sector to become involved in developing
cultural policies and strategies;
•(re-)define current mechanisms of cultural policy-making by developing
cooperation with policy makers;
•establish real working platforms and sustainable dialogue between the
cultural sector and policy makers;
•embed in practice the concrete outcomes of this dialogue by setting up new
structures (information agencies, advisory bodies, cultural councils, lobbying
forums, etc.) and strengthening the existing infrastructure;
•develop lobbying and advocacy initiatives of the cultural sector towards
policy making institutions (parliament, ministry, public authorities on central
and local level);
•contribute to developing and disseminating practical expertise and
theoretical knowledge in the field of cultural policy development in their
local, national and regional environment;
Selected projects will be offered financial support and active cooperation with
the Policies for Culture programme. Within a close project partnership Policies
for Culture will provide its knowledge and expertise available through the
programme’s network and its practical experience in South East Europe. This
partnership will significantly increase impact and visibility of the supported
initiatives on local, national and regional level. Successful examples of action
projects can be consulted on the programme web page. Policies for Culture highly
encourages applicants to seek advice from past and current initiatives in the
region and additional background documents provided at
www.policiesforculture.org .
Furthermore, applicants must become familiar with the programme philosophy and
project guidelines available at
www.policiesforculture.org.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be non-profit making and non-governmental organisations located
in Albania, Bosnia– Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro or
Serbia. Policies for Culture projects must be structured around the central
issues of the programme namely participative policy-making, establishing a
working dialogue, setting up new structures for the policy-making process,
lobbying, developing and disseminating expertise and knowledge, etc.
Applications have to address these issues in the framework of innovative and
exploratory pilot initiatives. Projects must be implemented between June and
December 2003 and should preferably be developed in structural and financial
cooperation and partnership with other organisations and policy-making
institutions (parliament, ministries, local government, local authorities and
administrations, etc.)! Financial support requested from Policies for Culture
should not exceed a total amount of EUR 7500.--
Application
Project proposals must be submitted in the English language by using the
standard application form available at www.policiesforculture.org . All
applications have to be sent per email directly to the programme management in
Amsterdam (email:
pdietachmair@eurocult.org ) no later than April 7, 2003! Further guidelines
and details should be consulted at
www.policiesforculture.org . Selection of the projects will be realised on a
competitive basis among all applications received from the eligible countries.
Successful applicants will be invited to take part in a Policies for Culture
training and information event in Bucharest, Romania between May 8 and 10, 2003.
Eventual questions regarding application procedures and the Policies for Culture
framework can be addressed to the programme management in Amsterdam or our
programme antennae in the region (see below!):
Contact & Info
Philipp Dietachmair, Central Coordinator, ECF Amsterdam, The Netherlands
email: pdietachmair@eurocult.org
; +31-20-6760222; fax: +31-20-6752231
Oana Radu, SEE Regional Coordinator, ECUMEST Bucharest, Romania
email: oana.radu@ecumest.ro ; tel/fax:
+40-21-2122100
Tsveta Andreeva, Local Coordinator, Sofia, Bulgaria
email: tsvetoma@yahoo.com - tel:
+359-88-777975
Ela Agotić, Local Coordinator, Zagreb, Croatia
email: ela.agotic@min-kulture.hr
- tel: +385-1-4813093
