Deadline: 28-Oct-20
The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) is pleased to invite proposals for grants as part of its project to counter COVID-inspired restrictions on civic freedoms and protect civic space during the pandemic.
Proposals may seek to support civic space during the COVID-19 pandemic by addressing topics including, but not limited to, countering authoritarian and securitized approaches to civil society during the pandemic; addressing disinformation and free expression restrictions; improving procedures for online consultations and public participation; strengthening oversight of surveillance and the collection and use of personal data through artificial intelligence or other means, and improving incentives and benefits for civil society during a pandemic or other public health emergency.
The COVID-19 pandemic has spawned a global crisis for fundamental freedoms. In response to the virus, governments worldwide have adopted emergency laws and other measures that are purported to limit contagion, but that also restricts rights and constrains civic space. At the same time, CSOs often lack adequate means to advocate for their interests while working remotely and restricted in their movement due to sanitary-health control measures, including stay-at-home orders and bans on gatherings and other means of in-person participation.
The applicant may select from a broad range of activities designed to achieve the grant’s objective, including, but not limited to:
- Collecting information around the implementation of COVID-19 regulations and legislation affecting CSOs; developing legal analyses, white papers, and policy briefs; and proposing legal and policy recommendations to protect civic space.
- Developing new tools, strategies, activities, and alliances to advocate for greater protections of fundamental freedoms in responses to COVID-19.
- Conducting roundtables, seminars, or informational campaigns to brainstorm civil society strategies and raise awareness on specific topics related to civic space constraints during COVID-19.
Funding Information
- Grants of up to $7,000 USD are available for projects.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to any organization registered in South Asia, Southeast Asia, or East Asia & the Pacific.
- Applications will be evaluated based on the following factors:
- Compliance with eligibility requirements and application procedures.
- Demonstrated commitment of the applicant to improving civic space.
- Quality of proposed project, including the project’s innovations, the proposed methodology/design, and feasibility of the project (e.g., activities are targeted to achieve stated results, and anticipated results are realistic and attainable).
- The likelihood that the proposed project will enhance civic space.
- Proposed budget and value for money.
- Inclusion of reasonable indicators to measure project success.
- In two pages or less, please describe the proposal. The proposal should address the following topics:
- Identify a clear challenge for CSOs or civic space resulting from government responses to COVID-19 that the proposed initiative will address.
- Provide an overview of the proposed initiative to overcome, ease, or navigate the challenge, including specific activities and anticipated outcomes.
- Describe the applicant’s experience implementing similar activities proposed in this call.
- Identify other CSOs, government bodies, and other stakeholders that will be engaged in the activities outlined in the application.
- Provide a proposed activity plan with specific goals and a timeline, recognizing that grant activities must be completed no later than December 31, 2021.
- To apply for a grant, applicants must submit the following items in English:
- Application coversheet.
- Proposal.
- Line-item budget (no more than $7,000 USD).
- Resumes/CVs of staff to be engaged in the project.
- Background information about the applicant organization (e.g., website links or informational materials).
- Copy of notarized registration certificate confirming the status of a legal entity of the applicant.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/34ipXmH
