Deadline: 4 June 2020
The U.S. Embassy in Cameroon is seeking applications for the Africa Regional Democracy Fund (ARDF) 2020.
The purpose of the Africa Regional Democracy Fund (ARDF) for Democracy, Human Rights and Governance is to strengthen democratic institutions, improve governance, and promote respect for human rights in Cameroon. The ARDF provides assistance to Cameroonian organizations that seek to implement short-term, highly targeted activities designed to show measurable results.
The U.S. Embassy will give priority to proposals that are creative and innovative and that utilize technology and modern media to reach a wide audience.
Project Categories and Acceptable Activities
- Promote Accountable, Transparent, and Responsive Governance:
- Support local civil society entities, including think tanks, academic research, watchdog groups, media associations, journalists, and other civil society actors to advocate for legislative transparency, accountability, and oversight at all levels of government.
- Provide specialized technical support to support democratic governance, with a particular focus on legislative oversight.
- Promote Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms:
- Support the protection, mitigation, and responses to human rights violations and abuses, in particular human rights violations affecting the most vulnerable, by strengthening human rights frameworks, institutions, and oversight.
- Support local and key international human rights organizations and institutions to promote human rights systems, policies, and protection, with particular focus on women and youth.
- Strengthen the capacity of community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations; and resident, vendor, or other associations through civic education and citizen participation to advocate for democratic rights and norms that advance public involvement in civic life.
- Support Democratic Processes and Promotion of Strong Democratic Norms:
- Support political processes, such as peace processes and negotiations, which seek long-term democratization and respect for human rights and accountability, with a particular focus on empowering women, youth, and marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Funding Information
ARDF grants are using between USD 20,000-25,000 (10 million-12.5 million francs FCFA).
Project Requirements
The U.S. Embassy will consider funding under the ARDF Program only those projects that:
- Have a funding ceiling of $25,000;
- Are initiated by Cameroonian organizations (excluding the executive branch of the Cameroonian Government);
- Promote political pluralism and respect for human and civil rights;
- Benefit a large number of people;
- Include activities, expenditures, and timelines that are consistent, reasonable, and within the ability of the organization to implement;
- Can be completed within one year, without requiring further ARDF assistance; and
- Respect environmental norms.
For more information, visit https://cm.usembassy.gov/education-culture/small-grants-program/