Department for International Development (DFID) funded the Rights and Voice Initiative (RAVI) in Ghana promotes increased support for mobilization and advocacy to improve demand for effective resource allocation, quality services and the protection of rights by providing grants to non-government organizations in the country aimed at helping vulnerable groups express themselves and demand their rights.
As civil society organizations are more and more abandoning their welfare approach and are focusing on rights-based approach to helping the poor, there is a new emphasis on empowerment, advocacy and other actions to support poor people’s rights.
Purpose and Aims of RAVI
The purpose of RAVI is “enhanced citizen engagement in Ghana aiming at the respect, protection and fulfillment of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights”. It is designed to:
- strengthen the ability of vulnerable groups to exercise voice and demand their rights (e.g. women, children, disabled, minorities)
- increase citizens’ ability to realize rights associated with their livelihoods (e.g. shelter, food, land, water and labor)
- support citizens’ demands for accessible, affordable, quality social services (e.g. education, health, and social welfare)
- promote and protect civil and political rights through the development of innovative strategies (e.g. access to information, participatory governance, redress mechanisms, transparent budgeting).
Eligibility
- Civil society organizations which are eligible to apply include faith-based organizations, trades unions, non-governmental organizations, networks, coalitions and various other bodies.
- Civil society organizations who wish to apply must satisfy both of the following conditions:
- be a legally registered not-for-profit Ghanaian civil society organization, or affiliated to or in partnership with a legally registered not-for-profit Ghanaian civil society organization
- be working at the regional or national level within Ghana (i.e. the civil society organization must be actively working in several districts within Ghana).
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