The U. S. Democracy and Human Rights Fund GUIDELINES
Available Free of Charge
OPEN SEASON: JULY 1 TO DECEMBER 15
Please read the following guidelines before filling in the application form.
The U.S. Democracy and Human Rights Fund in Zambia seeks small, distinct, short-term, and high impact activities that promote political pluralism and human and civil rights. The grants range between $3,000 and $15,000, and the maximum grant is $20,000. Activities often fall under, but are not limited to the following areas:
1. Human Rights: education, human rights NGO start-ups, creative projects to improve respect/reinforcement of human rights, or torture victim rehabilitation.
2. Legal: publication, translation into minority dialects and dissemination of the constitution and other laws, legal education, bar and legal association start-ups, or legal aid projects.
3. Judicial: improving the Judiciary’s efficiency, training court officials – including local or traditional officials –on the rule of law or the role of the Judiciary in a democracy.
4. Legislative: improving the Legislature’s efficiency, training MPs and their staff.
5. Civic Education: public education for independent journalists on the role of the independent media, technical assistance, journalist association start-ups, public awareness campaign of voting rights and/or the social costs of public corruption.
6. Women’s Rights: education, counseling and legal support for the prevention of violence against women or female genital mutilation (female circumcision), empowerment of women (non-economic), or women-led NGO start-ups, increased access of women and ethnic groups to the judicial system and to the political processes.
7. Children’s Rights: education, eradication of child labor, support of abuse counseling and prevention.
8. Electoral: very limited assistance to independent electoral commissions of officials (committee consultation required), assistance to NGO monitoring groups.
9. Conflict Resolution: limited to activities that promote tolerance and understanding between sectors of society such as ethnic or religious groups or political factions; i.e. workshops, discussion groups, publication of civic education material pertaining to equality of rights and responsibilities under a democratic system.
When completing your application, please note that:
1. The activity must be clearly and succinctly defined. For example, if the activity is workshops, list the topics that will be discussed. Use only the space provided, therefore, make your statements brief.
2. Funding is limited to projects that can be completed within ten (10) months or less.
3. Project coordinators/applicants must realize that they are managerially as well as financially responsible for the project.
4. The maximum grant for each organization is $ 25,000. However, the majority of projects fall within a $5,000 to $15,000 range.
Limitations on the use of DHRF II funds are governed by Congressional legislation, USAID policy restrictions and the DHRF II activity authorization.
Legislative restrictions on the use of DHRF II funds include:
• Use of funds to influence the outcome of elections,
• Training or advice, or financial support for police, prisons, or other law enforcement forces, military or any program of internal intelligence or surveillance (including direct civic and human rights education),
• Funding Executive Branch activities, except in the case of a recognized independent National Electoral and/or Human Rights Commission where other funds are not available,
• Government delegations to attend international conferences under the auspices of multilateral or international organizations,
• Assistance to any individual or entirely involved in illegal drug trafficking.
USAID policy restrictions on the use of DHRF II funds include:
• Building construction,
• Vehicle purchase,
• Long-term (12 months or more), recurring administrative costs, such as building or equipment maintenance, rent, office supplies, or administrative salaries,
• Travel outside of the immediate region,
• Conferences or workshops that lack a specific and clearly articulated goal,
• Research projects without a results-oriented component,
• Projects that duplicate other USAID or the former USIS, now Public Diplomacy (PD) programs in the cooperating country,
• Labor unions (unless human rights related) or projects in support of economic empowerment,
• Humanitarian assistance or support for refugees (unless human rights related),
• Any activities that do not directly encourage or promote increased adherence to civil and political rights,
• Any activities that asses the success or impact of earlier DHRF-funded activities,
• Purchase of pharmaceutical of non-U.S. source and origin (except as approved by USAID Washington), and
• Purchase of pesticides or fertilizers (except as approved by USAID/Washington).
Additional DHRF II guidelines regarding the funding of activities:
• Activities cannot be split into components and funded over a period of two years in order to finance large, on-going projects.
Review process:
All Democracy and Human Rights Fund II proposals must be submitted between July 1 and December 15th to be considered for funding during the following year. Funds are usually made available to the Embassy in August/September of the next calendar year.
Submitted proposals are initially reviewed by this office. In order to be considered for funding, the organization’s application must be complete, within the guidelines of the fund and provide all of the necessary information and documentation.
After meeting these requirements, the application is sent to the Review Committee for evaluation. With directions from the Review Committee, which usually meets in February, this office will take actions regarding the projects.
At this time, the applicant/potential grantee will be responsible for finalizing the budget, confirming documentation and adhering to this office’s requests on a timely basis. Upon completion of this process, the project will be submitted for allocation consideration.
Consultations:
If you would like to discuss your project in person before applying, please call to make an appointment. NO meetings without prior appointments! The number is (01) 250-955 extension 2269. If traveling to our office is difficult for you, we are happy to counsel you over the phone.
Thank you.
Program Coordinator
