If your organisation focuses on the strengthening of human rights, it is important for you to consider that your efforts shall ensure that your government meet international standards and comply with international laws guaranteeing basic rights for its citizens. This is different from, for instance, working as a humanitarian association, whose main goal is to provide aid during emergencies. As such, the first step to take is towards the understanding of the legal framework within which human rights are to be enforced.
By accessing the List of Human Rights Issues, you will see a list of problems related to the lack of “rights” arranged according to thematic areas. Find the area in which your organisation works; for instance adequate housing, detention, disability, food, health, gender and so on. Then, by selecting your “issue” of choice, you will be directed to a separate page in which to find general information about the selected “issue” and its legal framework.
For instance, if your NGO works in the field of housing, under “adequate housing” you will find a list of Governments’ obligations to guarantee the right of housing. As such, you will be given an overview of the legal framework within which housing shall be guaranteed and additional information for you to build a strong case for your project to be implemented in your community/country.
Because of the importance of human rights, there are several aid schemes, private and public foundations, and international agencies that support projects targeting issues related to the breaching, and improvement, of human rights around the world.
When applying for funding consider that major foundations and international agencies open specific calls yearly, although few accept proposals without specific deadlines. Also, consider that special funds are normally made available in exceptional circumstances such as the outbreak of wars or other catastrophes.
Typology of grants given to NGOs
Generally, grants are given to develop projects in one or more of these five areas:
1) Education: to educate people of their human rights
2) Report: to bring attention to existing violations of human rights
3) Advocacy: to enforce international law in your own country
4) Capacity Building: to create national and international networks working towards the achievement of common goals
5) Research: to engage with and further the theoretical understanding of what human rights are and the ways in which they could be pursued.
Projects developing within the fields of education, report, and advocacy are also those receiving the majority of attention of the donors because they have the potential to have a direct and measurable impact in the life of communities. If your organisation is seeking funding for pure research, then you should consider contacting universities and research centres (for instance the Open Society) with a specific interest in human rights research.
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