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Strengthening Civil Society to Support Victims of Torture: The UN Voluntary Fund

Deadline: 01-Mar-2026

The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture provides financial grants to civil society organizations offering direct medical, psychological, legal, and social rehabilitation to torture survivors. Funding ranges from $50,000 to $100,000 per project, prioritizing victim-centered approaches and gender-integrated services. The Fund also issues emergency grants for sudden humanitarian crises requiring immediate survivor support.

The UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture is a humanitarian trust managed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). It serves as a specialized financial mechanism to channel voluntary contributions from member states and private donors toward the rehabilitation and redress of survivors globally.

Why It Matters: Specialized Support for Redress

Torture is a severe violation of human rights that leaves lasting physical and psychological scars. This Fund is critical because:

  • Holistic Rehabilitation: It recognizes that survivors require a multidisciplinary approach encompassing legal, medical, and social aid.

  • Direct Impact: Unlike many global funds, it strictly mandates that funds be used for “direct assistance” rather than high-level advocacy or research.

  • Redress Pathways: It fulfills the international legal obligation to provide victims with the means for rehabilitation as part of their right to redress.

  • Global Reach: It supports grassroots organizations, associations of victims, and specialized hospitals in every region of the world.

Key Concepts and Definitions

  • Victim-Centered Approach: A methodology that prioritizes the needs, safety, and dignity of the survivor, ensuring they are active participants in their own recovery process.

  • Direct Redress: The provision of legal or medical means to restore a victim’s health and legal status following an act of torture.

  • Capacity-Building: Training and skill-transfer activities designed to improve the quality of care delivered by professionals (doctors, lawyers, therapists) to survivors.

  • Gender Integration: The systematic consideration of the different needs and experiences of women, men, and gender-diverse individuals throughout the project lifecycle.

  • Emergency Grants: Rapid-response funding triggered by sudden political shifts, armed conflicts, or human rights crises.

Who is Eligible?

The Fund is open to civil society entities with a proven track record in human rights and rehabilitation work.

Eligible Entity Types:

  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

  • Rehabilitation centers and specialized hospitals.

  • Foundations and legal clinics.

  • Associations of victims and their families.

Mandatory Requirements:

  • Operational History: Must be legally registered and operational for at least one year.

  • Financial Compliance: Must hold a bank account in the registered name of the organization.

  • Thematic Expertise: Demonstrable experience in providing specialized services to torture victims.

Funding Categories and Grant Limits

The Fund offers three distinct types of financial support:

  1. Direct Assistance (First-Time Applicants):

    • Grant Limit: Up to US$50,000.

    • Focus: Providing immediate medical, legal, or social services.

  2. Direct Assistance (Ongoing Grantees):

    • Grant Limit: Up to US$100,000.

    • Focus: Sustaining and expanding existing rehabilitation programs.

  3. Capacity-Building Grants:

    • Grant Limit: Up to US$50,000.

    • Focus: Training specialized networks or individual practitioners to improve service delivery.

  4. Emergency Grants:

    • Grant Limit: Up to US$100,000.

    • Duration: Up to 12 months.

    • Trigger: Extraordinary increases in survivor needs due to sudden humanitarian or human rights crises.

How it Works: Service Delivery Requirements

Projects supported by the Fund must adhere to strict operational standards:

  • Multidisciplinary Care: Provision of social, psychological, medical, and legal assistance.

  • Non-Discrimination: Services must be delivered regardless of race, religion, gender, disability, or political opinion.

  • Mandate Exclusion: Funds cannot be used for advocacy, awareness-raising campaigns, or academic research.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

  1. Verification of Mandate: Ensure your project focuses on direct assistance to torture survivors rather than general human rights advocacy.

  2. Registration Check: Confirm your organization has been registered and active for at least 12 months.

  3. Submit via GMS: Applications must be submitted through the OHCHR’s online Grants Management System (GMS).

  4. Annual Cycle: Standard grant applications are typically reviewed once a year (check official deadlines for the 2026 cycle).

  5. Emergency Requests: For emergency funding, organizations may submit proposals at any time during the year if circumstances meet the “sudden change” criteria.

Common Mistakes and Tips

  • Including Advocacy Activities: Proposals that include costs for lobbying or public awareness campaigns will be rejected or have those costs deducted.

  • Ignoring the Gender Perspective: Failing to explain how your project addresses the specific needs of different genders can lower your evaluation score.

  • Poor Financial Documentation: Ensure the organization’s bank account exactly matches the legal registration name to avoid administrative rejection.

  • Tip: Focus on the Family Unit. The Fund specifically allows assistance for the families of survivors; including them in the project plan demonstrates a more comprehensive understanding of rehabilitation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can a government agency apply for this fund? No. The Fund is exclusively for civil society organizations and non-governmental entities.

2. What defines “torture” for the purpose of this grant? The Fund follows the definition provided in the UN Convention against Torture, which involves severe physical or mental pain or suffering intentionally inflicted for specific purposes by or with the consent of a public official.

3. Is there a geographical limit on where the projects can be located? No. The Fund provides support to organizations operating worldwide.

4. How long does an emergency grant last? Emergency grants are intended to address immediate needs and can support a project for up to 12 months.

5. Can we use the grant to fund a research paper on torture statistics? No. The Fund’s mandate is strictly limited to direct assistance and capacity-building. Research is an excluded activity.

6. Do we need to be a large organization to apply? No. The Fund supports organizations of various sizes, including grassroots associations of victims, provided they meet the registration and experience requirements.

7. Are legal services for survivors covered? Yes. Legal assistance aimed at obtaining redress, reparations, or seeking justice for the act of torture is a core focus area.

Conclusion

The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture is a vital lifeline for survivors of one of the world’s most grievous human rights violations. By focusing on direct, victim-centered assistance and multidisciplinary rehabilitation, the Fund ensures that voluntary global contributions translate into tangible recovery for thousands of families each year. Successful applicants are those who demonstrate professional competence, gender sensitivity, and a strict adherence to the mandate of direct care.

For more information, visit United Nations Voluntary Fund.