Deadline: 15-Sep-23
The U.S. Embassy Mbabane, Eswatini of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out the Eswatini Democracy and Human Rights Resilience Project.
The main aim of the project is to build resilience through trainings and advocacy programs on human rights and democracy in Eswatini.
Program Objectives
- The Eswatini Democracy and Human Rights Resilience Project will fill a need for U.S. action to change the narrative of U.S. programs funded in Eswatini and stimulate an end to the cycle of violence within Eswatini.
- Through this program, the grantee will capacitate new national leaders to actively engage in defending the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini, to support the active engagement of civil society in the political life of the country/in pursuit of human rights and justice, to advocate for civic space that this would require, and contribute to the momentum to swing the pendulum in the direction of enduring justice.
Project Objectives
- To provide restorative relief for local human rights defenders, organizations, institutions, and allies to generate and sustain momentum for fundamental human rights in Eswatini.
- To complement Southern Defenders by providing psychosocial support to the family and extended network of Thulani Maseko, strengthening resilience among advocates and allies of the former Lawyers for Human Rights network which Thulani Maseko co-founded.
- To reinforce the work of human rights lawyers of the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Legal Aid Clinic representing emaSwati in legal jeopardy and providing pro-bono services as a check on the power of the State to instill fear and marginalize those working for constructive change within Eswatini.
- To strengthen public discourse on the value of human rights in Swati society, including press, media, social media and online fora and engagement, build new allies, confront misinformation, and build literacy about human rights in a manner to improve the country’s commitment to and record of human rights conventions.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: 12 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 1 award (dependent on amounts)
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $20,000 to a maximum of $40,000.
- Anticipated programs start date: 1 October 2023
Participants and Audiences
- Citizens of Eswatini, the University of Eswatini Legal Aid Clinic, the Law Society, and other legal support civil society organizations, while boosting support to the fragmented Swaziland Human Rights Coalition which has degraded over the past several years.
Priority Region: All four regions of the country.
Eligibility Criteria
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non- governmental organizations.
- Public and private educational institutions
- For-profit organizations
For more information, visit Grants.gov.