EC: Thematic Programmes for CSOs and for Human Rights and Democracy (Israel)

Deadline: 07-May-24

The European Commission (EC) is looking for applications for Thematic Programmes for Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and for Human Rights and Democracy to contribute to the upholding of democratic principles, to the promotion and protection of human rights, and to the strengthening of Israel’s Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as independent actors of good governance and development.

Whilst reminding that democracy and human rights, including gender equality should be reflected throughout the implementation of the Global Europe instrument, the NDICI regulation also establishes the thematic programmes for human rights and democracy and civil society organisations with “specific complementarity and additional role” by virtue of their global nature. Both programmes are building on the roles of civil society organisations as embracing a wide range of actors with different roles and mandates.

The Thematic Programme for Civil Society Organizations’ overall objective is to strengthen civil society organisations (CSOs) as independent actors of good governance and development in their own right. The programme regards CSOs as key partners in devising and implementing policies and programmes that meet people’s needs; and envisions a more inclusive, empowered, and independent civil society that contributes to the attainment of human rights, the rule of law, accountability, democracy, peace and stability around the world. The programme is also fully in line with the 2012 EU Communication on Civil Society in External Relations. The Thematic Programme for CSOs builds upon several previous EU-funded programmes, namely Civil Society Organisations and Local Authorities, and the Civil Society Facility.

The Thematic Programme on Human Rights and Democracy is a major flagship tool in promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law worldwide. This programme is the major tool to implement the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy for the period 2020-2024 (the EU Action Plan) adopted by the Council in November 2020, and which is the compass for the EU’s external action in this field.  Building on two decades of experience with the European Initiative/Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021-2027 (MIP) for the Thematic Programme follows the structure of the EU Action Plan with its five overarching priorities:

• Protecting and empowering individuals;
• Building resilient, inclusive and democratic societies;
• Promoting a global system for human rights and democracy;
• Harnessing the opportunities and addressing challenges of new technologies;
• Delivering by working together.

Objectives and Priorities

• LOT 1 – Thematic Programme for Civil Society Organisations 
  • The specific objective for LOT 1 is to support civil society initiatives to increase the role of under-represented groups in decision-making and public discourse.
  • The priorities for LOT 1 are:
    • Priority 1: Reducing social inequalities, including gender inequality;
    • Priority 2: Encouraging greater social, economic and political inclusion.
    • Proposals under Lot 1 should address at least one priority, and clearly indicate which priority/ies was/were selected.
  • Examples of activities for Lot 1 include (indicative and non-exhaustive list):
    • Civil society initiatives that empower existing or aspiring leaders from under-represented groups to participate in decision-making processes, through capacity building, trainings, mentoring, etc.;
    • Civil society initiatives that amplify the voice of under-represented groups in policy discussions, for instance through advocacy or public awareness campaigns; Civil society initiatives that work with national and/or local authorities to raise their awareness of the importance of representation, inclusiveness, diversity and participation in decision-making processes, and to help facilitate such processes.
• LOT 2 –Thematic Programme on Human Rights and Democracy 
  • The specific objective for LOT 2 is to contribute to the upholding of democratic principles and the promotion and protection of human rights of the citizens of Israel and those for whom Israel is a duty bearer, in compliance with international standards and obligations.
  • The priorities for LOT 2 are:
    • Priority 1: To improve awareness and perception of human rights by residents and citizens of Israel to support increased human rights accountability at the domestic level.
    • Priority 2: To reinforce respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights in the territories occupied by Israel, in particular by enhancing accountability of duty bearers.
    • Proposals under Lot 2 should address one priority, and clearly indicate which priority was selected.
  • Examples of activities for Lot 2, priority 1 include (indicative and non-exhaustive list):
    • Activities strategically targeted at the “unconvinced”, Israelis who do not normally perceive the human rights and democracy space as a positive one.
    • Activities aimed at speaking up for human rights and democracy, including but not limited to public diplomacy and strategic communication, awareness-raising campaigns, public positioning condemning human rights violations and abuses, and recognising steps taken to promote and protect human rights and democracy.
    • Activities promoting, protecting, and enabling a safe environment for civil society as independent actors advancing accountability.

Funding Information

• The indicative allocation of funds by lots is as follows:
  • LOT 1: EUR 2,323,202 – EUR 423,202 to be financed under the 2023 budget, and EUR 1,900,000 to be financed under the 2024 budget
  • LOT 2: EUR 2,000,000 – EUR 1,010,000 to be financed under the 2023 budget, and indicatively EUR 990,000 to be financed under the 2024 budget (subject to the approval of the 2024 financing decision).
• Size of grants
  • Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:
    • minimum amount: EUR 200,000
    • maximum amount: EUR 500,000
• Any grant requested under this call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum percentages of total eligible costs of the action:
  • Minimum percentage: 55 % of the total eligible costs of the action.
  • Maximum percentage: 95 % of the total eligible costs of the action.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligibility of applicants
  • Lead applicant
    • In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
      • be a legal person and
      • be non-profit-making and
      • be a non-governmental civil society organisation, including non-governmental non-profit organisations, community based organisations, faith-based organisations, universities and research institutions, private sector non-profit agencies and
      • For Lot 1 only, be established in a Member State of the European Union, in Israel or in other eligible countries as stipulated in the NDICI-Global Europe regulation. For Lot 2 only, no nationality restriction applies to lead applicants and, if any, to co-applicants and affiliated entities, and
      • be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies), not acting as an intermediary and
      • Have mandates and actions that respect the rights, freedoms and principles set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union of 7 December 2000. The organisation is requested to confirm its adherence to the rights, freedoms and principles set out in the Charter by signing the ‘Declaration of Honour’ ). This criterion will be assessed against the mission statement (Statute/Article of associations) of the organisation and its past experiences and actions.
  • Co-applicant(s)
    • Co-applicants participate in designing and implementing the action, and the costs they incur are eligible in the same way as those incurred by the lead applicant.
    • Co-applicants must satisfy the eligibility criteria as applicable to the lead applicant himself.
    • If awarded the grant contract, the co-applicant(s) (if any) will become beneficiary in the action (together with the coordinator).

For more information, visit European Commission.