15andcounting is an international campaign launched by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) to advocate for the implementation of the commitments made by various governments to improve sexual and reproductive health of everyone by 2015 at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in September 1994 in Cairo, Egypt. Although the year 2015 is still a remote point in time for our governments, yet the campaign is reminding them that the counting is on as we are somewhere near the 15th year of those commitments made. The 15andcounting campaign aims to pressurize the governments to fulfill their promises, help achieve access to sexual and reproductive health services, highlight the needs of the young people and partner with them for advocacy and change.
15andcounting has a small grant facility for NGOs as part of its campaign to promote the above-mentioned objectives. The Advocacy Flexi Fund provides grants between US $3000 and $10,000 for advocating for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of the young people. NGOs in developing countries working with young people on these issues can apply for this grant to improve their advocacy efforts for ensuring higher commitment and increased allocation of resources from the government to achieve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in their countries and regions.
The Advocacy Flexi Fund would provide 90% of the costs of the proposed activities while 10% needs to be covered by the grantee. The total duration of the project can be from one month to six months. However, the Fund would not be providing support for salaries or other hard assets, but five percent of the grant can be used as overhead costs.
The last date to apply for the grant is 7 August 2009. For more information, visit this link.
