Funding Opportunties: UNDEF, Human Rights Advocate Program

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The Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) at Columbia University
 
Founded in 1989, the Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) is a unique and successful model of human rights capacity building. HRAP capitalizes on its affiliation with Columbia University and its location in New York City to provide grassroots leaders the tools, knowledge, access, and networks to promote the realization of human rights and strengthen their respective organizations.

HRAP's comprehensive program of advocacy, networking, skills-building, and academic coursework provides advocates the opportunity to hone practical skills, develop a deeper understanding of human rights, and foster mutually beneficial relationships with organizations and individuals in their respective fields.

Program Overview

After completing the intensive four-month program, Advocates are able to more effectively lobby for their causes and address the human rights concerns of their community. The comparative advantages of the Human Rights Advocates Program are its:

    * Comprehensive program of skills-building, networking, advocacy, and academic coursework
    * Emphasis on individual and organizational capacity building
    * Affiliation with Columbia University and location in New York

"The Human Rights Advocates Program of Columbia University has enabled me to understand the wider dimensions of my peoples assertion for justice, peace and recognition. The combination of theory - auditing select lectures on Law, International Affairs, Anthropology, Education, Health, Gender, Human Rights at Columbia University - along with workshops on fundraising, public speaking, theatre, media advocacy are of immense value.

One major challenge the Naga peoples, and many other indigenous communities face is recognizing and enabling women to participate in decision making processes. While women continue to be the backbone of the socio-economic, cultural and spiritual life of the Nagas, there is only a (very) marginal role women play in the political life and in major decision making processes.  

It is very important that Columbia University's doors remain open for all indigenous women and men who fight every day for the recognition and respect of human rights."

- Athili Kholi (Naga from India) who is the first indigenous participant at Columbia University's Human Rights Advocates program, 2011.

Application online for 2012 HRAP (half of August to mid-December 2012)

Completed applications are due by 11:59pm GMT on Friday, November 18, 2011: http://hrcolumbia.org/hrap/apply/ 

The completed application must be submitted online by the deadline. Applicants should take into consideration technical issues and begin the process in advance of the deadline.  

The online application system will automatically close as of this deadline.

 

 

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The United Nations Democracy Fund invites civil society organizations to apply for funding for projects to advance and support democracy. Project proposals may be submitted on-line between 15 November 2011 and 31 December 2011 at http://www.un.org/democracyfund. You can find guidelines, FAQs and lessons learned from previous rounds at http://www.un.org/democracyfund/Applicants/applicants_index.html. Those who plan to apply are strongly encouraged to visit this page as soon as possible to familiarize yourself with what is required. Only on-line applications in either English or French will be accepted.

UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations – both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization. In this way, UNDEF plays a novel and distinct role in complementing the UN's more traditional work – the work with Governments – to strengthen democratic governance around the world.

This is the Sixth Round of Funding to be launched by UNDEF, which provides grants of up to US$500,000 per project. In five Rounds of Funding so far, UNDEF has supported more than 350 projects in 150 countries at a total amount of almost US$120 million. Applications are subject to a highly rigorous and competitive selection process, with about three per cent of all applications approved for funding. Projects are two years long and fall under one or more of six main areas:

• Community development
• Rule of law and human rights
• Tools for democratization
• Women
• Youth
• Media