Deadline: 20-Mar-23
Freedom House invites applications for funding and support from local, registered non-governmental organizations based in Turkey that seek to expand civic engagement on a local level through building partnerships with local municipality offices in Turkey.
Initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of civil society in advancing fundamental freedoms, developing projects on local level as well as engaging with municipalities that are focused on using, developing, or supporting domestic approaches and processes are encouraged.
Priority will be given to local grassroots organizations that have experience in building coalitions and working collaboratively with journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders and activists on local level. In addition, priority will be given to those initiatives addressing local- or regional-level issues related to fundamental freedoms.
Selected initiatives will receive a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 months of financial assistance. Freedom House will support small initiatives that will help tackling local issues regarding fundamental freedoms and build partnerships with municipalities to implement projects for the protection and improvement of fundamental freedoms in Turkey.
Objectives
The “Civic Space Empowerment” grants program will serve the following objectives:
- To provide financial support to cross-cutting grassroot initiatives that engage journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, and other activists that seek to strengthen cooperation between local civil society organizations, communities, and municipalities to advance fundamental freedoms in Turkey;
- To provide essential technical support, assistance, and tools to local grassroot initiatives in order to leverage their impact to develop projects in response to openings and opportunities in the aftermath of the previous municipal elections in Turkey;
- To help improve initiatives focusing on promoting fundamental freedoms in Turkey through local community engagement.
Thematic Areas
Freedom House will select up to four (4) initiatives for up to $10,000 in funding each. Applications will be considered in the following thematic areas:
- Raise awareness about human rights issues with local stakeholders in Turkey;
- Engage officials in local civil society organizations and events;
- Encourage dialogue between civil society groups and the government;
- Building allies for civil society on local level;
Award Details
- The selection decisions will be made by end of March, 2023. Freedom House intends to fund projects beginning in April 2023. Projects may cost up to $10,000. The distribution of funds will follow entry into an agreement with advocacy partners (if any) and Freedom House.
Eligibility Criteria
- Only non-commercial organizations, associations, initiatives, and foundations active in Turkey are eligible for participation in this program. Individuals and government, quasi-government, or commercial agencies and bodies are not eligible for funding.
For more information, visit Freedom House.