2023 HRF Call for Concept Notes

The HRF Programme of the Embassy invites NGOs to submit concept notes by 6 February 2023

It is expected that projects will start after June 1, 2023.

Priority areas:

• • International accountability for the most serious crimes
• • Equal rights for women and girls
• • Freedom of expression and internet freedom
• • Human rights defenders and space for civil society
• • Equal rights for LGBTI
• • Freedom of religion or belief

PLEASE READ MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EACH PRIORITY AREA BELOW AND MAKE SURE YOUR PROJECT FITS ONE OF THE SUB-THEMES WITHIN THE SELECTED PRIORITY AREA  

Although there are no geographical priorities, local and regional NGOs are encouraged to apply.

Considering the on-going Russian aggression against Ukraine and its impact on the most vulnerable groups, Human Rights Fund in 2023  seeks to support creation of long lasting solutions that would improve lives of people and communities affected by war, advocate for necessary policy changes, promote social cohesion and accountability while insuring the Human Rights of all people are protected.

Applicant organisations must meet the following criteria:

• • Be a registered Ukrainian NGO with non-for profit status according to the Ukrainian legislation (Universities, Communal Enterprises and Private Entrepreneurs or other business entities are NOT eligible to apply) and operate at governmentally controlled area of Ukraine
• • Have an adequate track record, proven management capacity, and expertise in the selected priority areas;
• • Be in operation for at least one year.

Submission details

The project proposal should be submitted in a standard concept note form, in MS Word format. Each question must be answered in strict accordance with the required maximum of words. The font size cannot be smaller than Verdana 9.  Any concept note not meeting these basic technical requirements will be disqualified without appraisal.

The concept note form can be downloaded from here

Conсept notes should meet the following criteria:

• • Focus on one of the above-mentioned priority areas;
• • Lead to specific, measurable and meaningful results;
• • Not duplicate activities funded by other donors;
• • Be written in proper English. No Google translation will be accepted;
• • The requested contribution should range between UAH 5.000.000 and UAH 25.000.000; The projects that include sub-granting to NGOs in the regions or smaller communities may be supported if the applicant organization has past experience of coordinating re-granting mechanisms;
• • Minimum project duration: 12 months
• • Maximum project duration: 36 months;
• • Twinning with Dutch civil society organisations may be considered.

Preference will be given to multi-annual projects with measurable impact.

Concept notes should be sent to: [email protected] 

Please write the subject of your e-mail in the following way: 2023 HRF Call / Organisation’s name.

The project selection will take place by 15 March 2023.  All applicants will be informed of the results by e-mail. The applicants of the selected concept notes will be invited to submit a detailed project proposal for the consideration of the selection committee.

HUMAN RIGHTS FUND PRIORITY AREAS FOR 2023 (detailed description):

International accountability for the most serious crimes, with a focus on:

1. Reduced impunity for the most serious crimes, i.e. war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, notably through prosecution and convictions;
2. Inclusive engagement with victims and survivor groups to help them achieve (criminal) justice for international crimes, either in national, regional or international justice procedures;
3. Maintained or enhanced independence and effectiveness of international justice institutions.

Equal rights for women and girls

1. Decreased occurrence of all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private life.
2. Strengthened women’s voice, agency, leadership and representative participation in decision-making processes in public, private and civic sphere.
3. Reinforced women’s economic rights and empowerment and female entrepreneurship encouraged.
4. Women’s and girls’ rights protected in crisis and conflict situations and women’s meaningful participation and leadership in peace- and state-building promoted.
5. e.    Equal rights for women and girls is a cross-cutting theme and should preferably be integrated in all project proposals.

Freedom of expression and internet freedom, with a focus on:

1. Increased access to information, through a free, open and secure Internet
2. Enhanced safety of journalists worldwide, with a particular focus on female journalists
3. Press freedom, including a diverse and open media landscape

Human rights defenders and space for civil society, a.o. with a focus on:

1. Increased (holistic) security of human rights defenders and CSO’s, with specific attention for women HRD’s and the most vulnerable groups of HRDs such as land and environmental defenders and indigenous groups.
2. Enhanced legitimacy for human rights defenders at the local, national and international level.
3. CSO’s are able to address shrinking civic space and influence norms and decision-making

Equal rights for LGBTI people, with a focus on:

1. Decreased criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity worldwide;
2. Decreased occurrence of violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity;
3. Increased levels of social acceptance of LGBTI people.

Freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), with a focus on:

1. Decreased FoRB-based persecution and discrimination, including for non-religious groups.
2. (Religious) communities and faith based actors are more tolerant and inclusive.

Ukraine: 2023 Human Rights Fund call for concept notes | Publication | Netherlandsandyou.nl