Competitive Fund (A) for the Defense of life, Territory and Women’s rights – Colombia

Deadline: 9-Jul-23

UN Women is seeking applications for the Competitive Fund (A) for the Defense of life, Territory and Women’s rights in Colombia.

Purpose

• Implementation of prevention and protection strategies from the collective exercise of social and political citizenship of women leaders and human rights defenders, in articulation and dialogue with territorial and national entities; and consolidation of their agendas through advocacy actions and positioning for political dialogue, in coordination with the local and national state regarding the protection of women leaders.

Objectives

• The ProDefensoras Phase II Program “Prevention and protection of women and men defenders leaders in Colombia 2023-2026″ is aimed at advancing in the consolidation of a territorial and comprehensive strategy of prevention and support for women defenders and peace signatories, for the defense of rights rights, women’s rights, the positioning of their agendas in peacebuilding scenarios, from a holistic, sustainable and political dialogue perspective, within the framework of the women, peace and security agenda in Colombia; that derives in the protection for them, their networks and associative fabric.

Financing Mechanisms

• This fund will have two financing mechanisms that allow national-territorial organizations to work in partnership, and the strengthening of exclusively local organizations that surround the agenda of women defenders in contexts where -as recalled by the Advocacy Reports4 – The arenas of violence against women leaders and defenders remain challenging.
  • Financing Mechanism (1) for regional and local organizations with territorial presence5 (Proposals between 12 and 24 months and up to COP $450 Million pesos).
    • This mechanism will finance proposals presented by organizations that defend the human rights of women, feminists, environmental, indigenous, Afro-descendants, peasants, journalists, LGTBIQ+, artists and youth; territorially-based women’s organizations that defend and participate in the implementation of the peace agreement, organizations of women who sign the peace and cooperatives of ex-combatants, networks and other collective initiatives at the national and territorial level, that have a territorial presence in the targeted departments and are aligned with the emphasis of the call.
  • Financing Mechanism (2) for second level organizations, which are presented in alliance with territorial organizations (Proposals between 18 and 24 months and up to COP $900 Million pesos)
    • This route will finance only proposals submitted by second-level organizations, in alliance with territorial organizations, that are aligned with the emphasis of the call. Second-level organizations are understood to be those that generally bring together grassroots organizations, such as federations or networks, or those that, due to their technical and administrative capacity, provide assistance to organizations with less capacity, and/or work at the national level.

Geographical Targeting and Duration

• For administrative purposes, only one organization will sign the agreement with UN Women and manage the funds. In addition to carrying out organizational support and strengthening processes, it is necessary for the applicant organization to meet the eligibility criteria described in number 5 of this call, and they must have a territorial presence or verifiable capacity for operational deployment, demonstrable through executed contracts and / or certifications that must be attached as supporting documents to the proposal. The prioritized regions are the departments of Antioquia, Chocó, Cauca and Nariño. Proposals that are not framed in this geography will not be received, however, it is encouraged that actions for the exchange of experiences with organizations from other territories not prioritized by the call be included in the proposals.
• The proposals can have a duration between 12 – 24 months (Financing Mechanism 1) and 18 -24 (Financing Mechanism 2) with a financial contribution in accordance with the provisions of numeral 5.1. of this Call.

Eligibility Criteria

• You must meet the following eligibility criteria. Said criteria apply to the organization managing the funds:
  • Be an organization registered in Colombia, with at least three (3) years of legal existence at the time of signing the agreement with UN Women. The following must be attached to the proposal: certificates of Existence and Legal Representation of the Chamber of Commerce with less than 30 days of issuance and RUT.
  • For the Financing mechanism (1) for regional and local organizations with territorial presence: the organization must have the capacity to execute projects of at least COP$200 million pesos, demonstrable through the executed contract and its certification. You must have verifiable administrative and accounting capacity to carry out the project
  • For the Financing mechanism (2) for second level organizations, which are presented in alliance with territorial organizations: the organization must have the capacity to execute projects of at least COP $500 million pesos, demonstrable through the executed contract and your certification. You must have verifiable administrative and accounting capacity to carry out the project.
  • The organization that applies for financing mechanism 1 or 2 must have formulated and executed at least one project related to the prevention and protection of WHRDs, participation and effective advocacy of WHRDs and leaders in public debate and in dialogue with the State / Construction and maintenance of peace / focus on gender equality and women’s rights / Incorporation of the gender perspective in the reincorporation process. Demonstrable through the executed contract and its certification.
  • The organization that applies for financing mechanism 1 or 2 must have a territorial presence or verifiable capacity in the departments focused on the call and experience in the territories in which the organization develops the proposal, demonstrable through an executed contract and/or or certification.
  • The second level organization (Financing Mechanism 2) must make explicit in its proposal the way in which it is going to transfer technical and financial capacities to the other allied organizations, in order to strengthen their capacities. Including Strengthening Plans, identifying areas for improvement associated with Care and self-care / Security strategies and community protection / strategic litigation / Advocacy and lobbying, administrative and financial capacities / new technologies. Likewise, consider the allocation of resources to the local / territorial organization within the implementation of the proposal.
  • Both organizations that have not previously received support from UN Women Colombia, as well as organizations that have or currently have support, may submit proposals.
  • Joint proposals may be submitted, with a maximum of one (1) proposal per applicant organization.
  • The applicant organization may apply to one (1) only Financing Mechanism and with maximum one proposal.
  • The same organization may not apply simultaneously to the Call, as applicant in Mechanism 1, and as an ally in Mechanism 2.
  • The complementarity between the projects, rather than duplication, will be a criterion that guides the evaluation of the proposals in the technical and managerial instances of the Program. UN Women will ensure that the selected proposals are not duplicated in the different financing mechanisms, or with those that have been selected within the framework of other financing initiatives promoted by ProDefensoras.

For more information, visit UN Women.