Thematic Programme for CSOs, Human Rights and Democracy in Liberia

Deadline: 25-Apr-25

The European Commission (EC) has launched the Thematic Programme for CSOs, Human Rights and Democracy.

Lots

• This call for proposals is divided into Two Lots:
  • Lot 1 – Human Rights and Democracy
    • For Lot 1, the global objective of this call for proposals is to support actions of civil society organisations active in the field of human rights and democracy (HR&D) under the following selected specific objectives and priorities:
      • Business and Human Rights: Support civil society organisations, duty-bearers and right-holders’ participation in the implementation of national and international regulatory frameworks on Business and Human Rights.
      • The priorities of this specific objective are:
        • Promote the participation of civil society in the implementation of Liberia’s first National Action Plan on Business and Human (NAPBHR) 2024-2028.
        • Ensure technical assistance and knowledge transfer to implement Liberia’s first National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
        • Conduct awareness and information activities on the NAPNHR, the UN Guiding Principles and the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive for business entities, civil society organisations and other relevant actors, including justice system stakeholders and the media.
      • Human Rights Defenders: Support the recognition, promotion and protection of human rights defenders in Liberia.
      • The priorities of this specific objective are:
        • Support actions to advocate for strong policies, legislation, regulatory frameworks and other mechanisms aimed at addressing the challenges of Human Rights Defenders.
        • Support the work of Human Rights Defenders and their organisations and networks, human rights groups by developing innovative actions to strengthen their capacities and knowledge, in an enabling environment.
      • Transitional Justice: Support transitional justice processes in Liberia as a crucial step for the promotion of human rights, justice, peace and security, good governance, and development.
      • The priorities of this specific objective are:
        • Strengthen Liberian Civil Society Organisations’ and right holders’ capacities and knowledge to ensure their active and informed participation in and contribution to the transitional justice processes.
        • Strengthen the capacities and knowledge of duty-bearers to advance the transitional justice processes in an enabling environment.
• Lot 2 – Support to Civil Society in Partner Countries
  • For Lot 2, the global objective of this call for proposals is to enhance Liberia’s inclusive and democratic governance by strengthening civil society as an independent actor and building its capacities to empower women, youth and other marginalised individuals.
  • The specific objective(s) of lot 2 are:
    • Lot 2 – Specific Objective 1:
      • Promote good governance by strengthening Liberian civil society organisations’ (CSOs) and community-based organisations’ (CBOs) capacities to ensure informed and inclusive access to land and equal land-related economic opportunities.
      • The priorities of this specific objective are:
        • Advocacy and capacity building
          • Strengthen the organisational, management and monitoring capacities of CSOs and CBOs working on land rights and access to land
          • Enhance civil society’s capacity to advocate for and raise awareness on land sector reforms, land rights and land use planning to ensure inclusive participation
        • Dialogue and participation
          • Promote an inclusive and open dialogue with and between CSOs, CBOs, local communities and authorities at all levels to achieve streamlined land formalisation and customary land deeds for a more inclusive access to land, land use planning and land-related economic opportunities
        • Peaceful and democratic governance
          • Enhance CSOs/CBOs’ and local authorities’ capacities to promote peaceful and democratic governance via inclusive land use and land management participation and the resolution of land-related conflicts
    • Lot 2 – Specific Objective 2:
      • Strengthen Civil Society Organisations working for the inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised youth
      • The priorities of this specific objective are:
        • Initiate, contribute to and support policy dialogues on youth, and enable the active participation of youth and youth organisations in decision-making processes at all levels to better address their vulnerabilities.
        • Support actions that will ensure the integration of vulnerable and marginalised youth by creating opportunities for skills, empowerment, income-generating activities and livelihood to reduce their vulnerabilities and encourage them to become active citizens.

Funding Information

• The overall indicative amount made available under Lot 1 is EUR 915,000 The overall indicative amount made available under Lot 2 is EUR 1,000,000.
• For Lot 1- Human Rights: 
  • minimum amount: EUR 270,000
  • maximum amount: EUR 305,000
• For Lot 2 – Civil Society Organisations:
  • minimum amount: EUR 450,000
  • maximum amount: EUR 500,000

Duration

• The initial planned duration of an action may not be lower than:
  • Lot 1: 24 months nor exceed 36 months;
  • Lot 2: 36 months nor exceed 48 months.

Eligibility Criteria

• Lead applicant for Lot 1:
  • 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 organisation or civil society organisation and-
    • be effectively established in Liberia, in a Member State of the European Union or any other country (no nationality restriction as per Part I: MFF 2021-2027 Instruments for External Action – (1) Eligible countries for NDICI- Global Europe (NDICI- Global Europe Article 28 paragraphs 1 & 2, as no nationality restrictions apply, 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
    • not being in any of the situations listed in Section 2.4. of the practical guide and
    • have its main area of work, objectives and proven experience in the field of the action proposed.
• Lead applicant for Lot 2
  • In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
    • be a legal person and
    • be non-profit-making and
    • be a Civil Society Organisation and/or their associations and
    • be established in Liberia or in a Member State of the European Union and
    • have its main area of work, objectives and proven experience in the field of the action proposed 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
    • 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.
  • The lead applicant must act with co-applicant(s). When the lead applicant is not established in Liberia, it must act with at least one co-applicant established in Liberia.

For more information, visit EC.