Call for Proposals: Thematic Programs Human Rights and Democracy and Civil Society Organizations (Paraguay)

Deadline: 5-May-23

The European Commission (EC) is seeking proposals for strengthening the CSOs as independent actors of good governance and development.

The overall goal of this call for proposals, in accordance with the general objectives of the DH&D and CSO thematic programs is, on the one hand, to strengthen CSOs as independent actors of good governance and development that contribute to promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms , democracy and the rule of law; and on the other hand, to contribute to an inclusive, participatory and independent civil society and democratic space in partner countries; and an inclusive and open dialogue with and between CSOs (priority 1, CSO Thematic Program 2021-2027).

Objectives & Priority

The Thematic Program on Human Rights and Democracy provided for in Regulation 2021/9477 Global Europe is the successor of the European Initiative on Human Rights and Democracy. The proposals financed within the framework of this call will contribute to all the priorities of the Multiannual Indicative Programming of the programme:

The priorities of this call for proposals are:

• Priority 1: Protect and empower people;
• Priority 2: Build resilient, inclusive and democratic societies;
• Priority 3: Promotion of a global system of human rights and democracy;
• Priority 4: Safeguard fundamental freedoms, including taking advantage of the opportunities and addressing the challenges of new digital and new technologies.
• Priority 5: Deliver by working together.

It is about achieving this global goal by supporting and strengthening CSOs, democracy activists and human rights defenders in non-EU countries.

The thematic program for CSOs at the country level has the general objective of strengthening the CSOs as independent actors of good governance and development. The first overall priority of the program, both at global and partner country level, is “An inclusive, participatory, empowered and independent civil society and democratic space in partner countries; and an inclusive and open dialogue with and among civil society organizations”. The program will contribute to the following priorities:

• Establish an enabling environment for civil society in its broadest sense – that is, a political, financial, legal and policy environment that affects the way in which it carries out its work;
• Support the establishment and operation of CSOs and their participation in development and governance processes;
• Promote a more inclusive participation of CSOs in the dialogue on development policies and national policies in partner countries and strengthen the capacities of CSOs in the areas of governance; responsibility; program, project and financial management; research and analysis, promotion and communication; access to finance, with special attention to improving their capacities to benefit from the digital transformation and reduce the gap in access to information and communication technologies (ICT).

LOTs

Based on the above objectives and priorities, this call for proposals consists of two lots:

• Lot 1 – Thematic Program Human Rights and Democracy
  • The specific objectives of Lot 1 of this call are:
    • Actions in favor of Human Rights defenders in Paraguay, with a special focus on environmental rights and media workers in defense of the right to freedom of expression.
    • Actions to maximize the opportunities of new technologies to promote respect for Human Rights, counteract misuse and abuse of new digital technologies.
    • Actions for the improvement and fulfillment of labor rights, including the fight against child labor and forced labor (in particular, “criadazgo”).
• Lot 2- Civil Society Thematic Program
  • In accordance with the general objective of the CSO thematic programme, the specific objectives of the Lot 2 – of this call are:
    • Strengthening of the institutional and operational capacity of local CSOs to participate in the dialogue on public policies, development plans and programs.
    • Strengthening the capacity of CSOs of women and youth to promote gender equality and the inclusion of young people to facilitate their insertion in the political, social and economic spheres.
    • Promotion of an enabling environment for organizations that work for the rights of women and youth, promoting alliances between these organizations and a more inclusive dialogue.
    • Support for carrying out studies on habits and risk behaviors of young people, awareness campaigns against stigma and discrimination against young people in vulnerable situations, and for the creation of project incubators, think tanks and forums for meeting and exchange of experiences for young people.
    • Promotion of platforms and observatories that provide well-founded information on transparency and legality, for example, for the informed follow-up of bills and the preparation and implementation of the nation’s general budget.

Funding Information

• The total indicative amount allocated to this call for proposals is EUR 3,130,000.
• The indicative distribution by lots:
  • For lot 1 related to the Human Rights and Democracy program – EUR 1,830,000
    • minimum amount: EUR 300,000
    • maximum amount: EUR 610,000
  • For lot 2 dedicated to supporting Civil Society Organizations – EUR 1,300,000.
    • minimum amount: EUR 300,000
    • maximum amount: 430,000 USD

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants
  • To be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
    • Be a legal person; and
    • Non-profit; and
    • Be a Civil Society Organization (OSC) constituted in accordance with the legislation in force in the country where it is established for at least two (2) years prior to the submission of the proposal.
    • Be established in a Member State of the European Union, or in a Member State of the European Economic Area or in Paraguay
    • And be directly responsible, with their co-applicants and affiliated entities, for the preparation and management of the action and not merely act as intermediaries
  • Potential applicants who are in one of the situations are not eligible to participate in calls for proposals or apply for a grant.
  • Lead Applicants, Co-Applicants, Affiliated Entities, and—in the case of legal entities—Persons with the power of representation, decision-making, and control over the Lead Applicant, Co-Applicants, and Affiliated Entities are hereby informed that, if found in any of the situations of early detection or exclusion. of the Practical Guide, personal data (name and surnames if it is a natural person; address, legal form, and name and surnames of the persons with power of representation, decision-making or control, if it is a legal person) may be registered in the early detection and exclusion system, and may be communicated to the relevant persons and entities in connection with the award or implementation of a grant contract. In this regard, provisionally selected lead applicants, co-applicants and affiliated entities are required to declare that they are not in any of the exclusion situations by means of a signed affidavit. For grants of €15,000 or less, no affidavit is required.
• co-applicants
  • Main applicants established in Paraguay must have at least one (1) co-applicant.
  • Main applicants not established in Paraguay must have at least one (1) co-applicant established in Paraguay.
  • Co -applicants will participate in the design and implementation of the action, and the costs they incur will be eligible in the same way as those incurred by the lead applicant.
  • Co -applicants must meet the eligibility criteria applicable to the lead applicant itself.
  • Co -applicants must sign the mandate.
  • If the grant contract is awarded, the co-applicants (if any) will become beneficiaries of the action (together with the coordinator).
  • Furthermore, please note that contracts cannot be awarded or signed with those applicants included in the lists of restrictive measures of the EU.

For more information, visit EC.