The European Commission, which has been issuing the Call for Proposals for the “Enhancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in countries and regions where they are most at risk” annually has notified that in 20o9-2010, it will accept concept notes round the year under this call. Concept notes will have two dates annually for evaluations rounds, as per the Notice to Applicants. These are:

This Call for Proposals is to support NGOs in countries and regions where there is “serious lack of fundamental freedoms, where human security is at risk, where human rights defenders are under most pressure, where civil society operates with difficulty and where there is little room for political pluralism.” The actions supported by the EuropeAid under this program should contribute to the theme/s of right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, right to freedom of opinion including freedom of media, right to freedome of peaceful assembly and association and right to freedom of movement within the borders of a state. The typical activities can include monitoring, public information and awareness-raising, capacity-building, dialogues with key stakeholders, advocacy and lobbying, empowering local populations and building coalitions. Grants allocated for each award is between €150,000 and €1,200,000, but EC support will be limited to only 80% of the total eligible costs of the proposed project budget.

Since this is a restricted Call for Proposals, only Concept Notes are invited by the EC at this stage. Complete guidelines about this call can be downloaded from this link. For more information, visit this link.