Human Rights Fund

The Human Rights and Governance Grants Program supports more than 100 human rights–related organizations across Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and Mongolia from its Human Rights Fund.

The mission of the Human Rights Fund is to ensure that there is at least one mainstream human rights advocacy NGO in each state of the region, capable of alerting the public to, and promoting government accountability for, human rights abuses through monitoring, litigation, and advocacy. Where such organizations exist, the fund provides both institutional and project support. In countries where national organizations do not exist, the Human Rights and Governance Grants Program takes a proactive approach to identifying partner organizations with which to cooperate on rights-related monitoring and litigation on the ground.

The fund supports organizations promoting political and civil rights at the local, national, or regional level. It also provides funding to several international organizations working in the region. Funding is principally targeted towards groups working on fundamental rights issues. The program also funds a number of specialized organizations working in critical areas such as the rights of Roma; detainees; women; the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community; and people with mental disabilities.

Guidelines

Prior to sending a full proposal, potential applicants should submit a brief concept paper of no more than 2-3 pages to determine whether projects meet the Human Rights and Governance Grants Program’s current funding priorities and guidelines. The concept paper should include:

• a brief description of the project, planned activities, methodology, and goals;

• information about the applicant organization;

• estimated overall budget and timeframe for the project.

Once the program has reviewed concept papers, grant seekers may be invited to submit a full application. For further information download the complete guidelines at left.

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