SIDA / SWEDISH SPECIAL INITIATIVE FOR DEMOCRATISATION AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Background:

The Government of Sweden has decided to continue the special initiative for democratisation and freedom of expression launched in 2009. The initiative aims at supporting actors for change, individuals, groups and civil society organisations working for democratisation and freedom of expression.
The objective of this Call for Proposals is improved conditions for actors for change to work for enhanced democratisation and freedom of expression. The interventions shall contribute to improved conditions and increased opportunities for actors for change to work for enhanced democratisation and freedom of expression and the reduction of various forms of discrimination and oppression.
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) invites organisations and other relevant actors to submit a Full Application for programmes/projects which might be considered under this support mechanism.

Eligibility:

In order to be eligible for a grant, applicants must:

  - be a legal person or an entity without legal personality (Grant applications may be eligible if submitted by entities which do not have legal
    personality under the applicable national law, provided that their representatives have the capacity to undertake legal obligations on their
    behalf, and assume financial liability);
  - and be non-profit making;

The applicant can be one of the following types of entities:

  • civil society organisation, including non-governmental organisation, and/or networks thereof at community, national,
     regional and global level;
  • inter-governmental organisation; 
  • community-based organisation;
  • public sector agency;
  • private sector agency;
  • foundation;
  • human rights defenders;
  • actors in free and independent media including citizen journalists, bloggers and professional journalists;
  • actors in cultural life;
  • gender equality activists and women’s rights activists;
  • LGBT activists;
  • lawyers;
  • youth organisations;
  • researchers and think tanks;
  • political dissidents;
  • party-affiliated organisations;
  • trade- and labour unions;
  • faith-based groups;
  • indigenous and minority groups;
  • non-violent resistance groups;

The inclusion of ‘sub-granting’ whereby an applicant provides financial support in the form of grants to third parties, is allowed under this Call for Proposals, in order to reach small community-based organisations and their operations in e.g. remote rural areas or multiple actors for democratic change in several regions or countries.
Emphasis will be given to support to actors working for democratisation and freedom of expression in countries and contexts characterized by lack of respect for human rights and where fundamental freedoms are hampered, and where there is limited room for political pluralism.

Grant:

The amount set aside for the Special Initiative is decided by the Government upon a yearly basis. The funds allocated for 2012 amount to SEK 215.000.000. A substantial part of the budget is expected to be allocated via such open calls for proposals.

Deadline:  15 April 2012

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