Deadline: 30 June 2017
The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) is seeking applications for The Emancipatory Rural Politics Initiative (ERPI) small grants program, which is focused on the social and political processes in rural spaces that are generating alternatives to regressive, authoritarian politics.
The Initiative seeks to foster a debate about regressive, authoritarian politics as well as alternatives, documenting, analysing and theorising these in order to advance new emancipatory politics that challenge exclusionary, violent and populist visions. ERPI also aims at analysing, sharing, supporting, deepening and scaling up alternatives.
Deepening inequalities, failed livelihoods, mass (under)employment, climate chaos, and racist anti-immigrant attacks characterise many settings across the world. Forms of ‘progressive neoliberalism’ peddled inaccurately as social democracy have failed to stem disillusionment, disenfranchisement and marginalisation.
The rise of populist, nationalist movements with racist, misogynist and isolationist characteristics has been one very visible response. Such exclusionary politics are unravelling protections for women, racial minorities, disabled people, LGBTQ communities and many others. This type of populism depicts politics as a struggle between ‘the people’ and some combination of malevolent elites and racialized, unfairly advantaged ‘Others’.
Thematic Areas
There are 3 core themes for the Initiative:
- The current conjuncture: rural roots and consequences
- Resisting, organising and mobilising for an emancipatory rural politics
- Alternatives: understanding, supporting, creating, deepening and scaling up
Funding Information
$2000 small grants will be provided to produce Working Papers, allowing perhaps additional fieldwork to supplement work already done.
Eligibility Criteria
- ERPI aims to kick-start a wide, informed conversation on the three themes listed above, creating a platform for ongoing debate and action.
- The initiative seeks to engage scholars, activists, practitioners and policymakers from across the world that are both concerned about the current conjuncture, but also hopeful about alternatives.
- In parallel, inviting short contributions in a variety of media that help to map out responses and alternatives.
- The Initiative will hold a major international conference, bringing this work together, with the aim of thinking together about new directions, both for academic research and practical action.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via email with the subject line marked ERPI SMALL GRANT APPLICATION, at the address given on the website.
For more information, please visit ERPI Small Grants.
