Civil society grant fund

What is the grant fund?

In order to facilitate the participation of conflict victims and general public in transitional justice processes, the role of civil society organisations, national institutions, and professional associations is crucial. They can engage the grassroots level in the transitional justice process and contribute to the work of the Commissions. As past experience has shown, the goals of strengthening democracy and peace are more likely to be achieved with active consultation, and participation of victims groups, civil society and the general public.
The victims groups and civil society organisations are eligible to apply for funding and grants will be given to implement larger scale projects of up to $50,000 per grant, and also to allow organisations operating at the grassroots level (particularly conflict victims groups) to implement smaller scale projects of up to $10,000.

Which activities can be funded?

(i) Strategic workshops for civil society and national human rights institutions – Workshops will be important in addressing specific needs arising during the process of preparing for the upcoming TRC and Disappearances Commission, provisions for reparations for victims, defining the relationship between the Commissions and civil society, etc. Examples include workshops to discuss the nature of a truth and reconciliation process, the inclusion of marginalised groups, women and children in the transitional justice process, etc.

(ii) Awareness raising activities – Various public awareness-raising activities may be organised, including complementary outreach activities in preparation for the Commissions, particularly activities directed towards women and marginalised groups. Other awareness-raising efforts may include local radio programmes and dramas (broadcasting programmes on topics such as women’s participation in the transitional justice process) broadcast in local languages, traditional street theatre dramas, posters, TV programmes, etc.

(iii) Production of materials and modules on transitional justice – Various materials may be produced (booklets, posters, CDs, etc.) including gender-focused products. There may also be activities to facilitate discussion with project partners utilising the topics included in the materials to mobilise public opinion.

(iv) Psycho-social support to victims – Civil Society will be crucial in providing support for victims and witnesses that testify for the Commissions. A project to map support services will be an important element to be followed by the establishment of a referral mechanism. Funds will also be made available for trainings in psycho-social counselling, travel money to accompany victims and witnesses to hearings and other related costs.

(v) Victims’ documentation – Relevant districts would be chosen based on the existence of strong victims’ organisations and appropriate geographical spread. Trainers from victims groups may receive training in interview skills and document stories depending on which method is appropriate in the individual case. The stories can be transcribed, edited and published.

(vi) Public interest litigation – Grants may be awarded to support public interest litigation actions aimed at combating the culture of impunity and addressing the root causes of the conflict.

How was the grant fund disseminated?

In 2009, some regional conferences were organized to inform the civil society organisation in different regions about the grant fund. Open call for applications was also placed in the newspapers and the application formats both in English and Nepali were posted in the website and shared with interested applicants on request.

How proposals are screened?

Once the duly completed applications for grants are received, all of them are registered into a central repository of proposals and reviewed by an internal review committee. The committee assesses the proposals on a set of agreed criteria including thematic and regional balance of the initiatives, access of the organisations to the target groups (e.g. conflict victims, policy makers), anti-discrimination and gendered initiatives, ability of the organisations to deliver, relevant work experience and tangible results, among others.
Different thematic teams and officials responsible for different geographical regions are also consulted during the initial screening process. Once the proposals are selected by the internal review committee, they are submitted to the Geneva-based grants committee for the final approval. The applicant organisations may be required to provide any additional information or readjust their activities at any stage of the process. Once approved by the grants committee in Geneva, OHCHR-Nepal proceeds for agreement processes through its civil society officer.

Who received funding so far?

OHCHR-Nepal received a total of 269 project proposals as of 30 June 2010. The grants committee has approved 16 projects so far and is likely to approve a few more projects in the coming months.

 

OHCHR-Nepal is no longer accepting new proposals to be considered under the Peace through Justice grant fund with effect from 31 July 2010. It may re-open the call for proposals if more funds are available for grants later on..

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