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Call for Proposals: Sustainability of Human Rights and Accountability Watchdog NGOs in the European Union
February 17, 2009

For the past 15 years, the Open Society Institute (OSI) has been supporting watchdog advocacy NGOs that seek to hold governments accountable through first-hand monitoring and documentation, public interest strategic litigation, and domestic and international advocacy in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The funding has focused on critically important areas such as the protection of fundamental rights as well as promotion of transparency and combating corruption. During that time, the countries of the region have undergone dramatic transformations. Advocacy and watchdog NGOs have played a critical role in the transition processes.

While ten countries have successfully made the leap from closed Communist societies to functioning market-oriented democracies, democratic culture and institutions remain weak and vulnerable to backsliding. The maintenance and advancement of democracy and open societies require constant monitoring and vigilance. In the absence of strong and established checks and restraints on political power, watchdog NGOs have pointed out abuses, highlighting where systemic deficiencies need to be addressed. Human rights and accountability watchdog NGOs act as sentinels in defense of the principles they hope to see embodied and embedded in their societies. As necessary and valuable as they are, many of these organizations are at risk of closure due to the dramatic decrease in funding sources available for watchdog activities in Central and Eastern Europe.

In order to be credible, watchdog NGOs must be independent and non-partisan. Often being fierce critics of governmental policies, these NGOs typically have no access to or refuse government funding on principle. This effectively leaves only private foundations and, in some cases, local fundraising initiatives as possible funding sources for many of these critical groups. While funding from EU institutions is generally available, there are several factors that preclude watchdog NGOs from accessing such funds. The EU funding mechanisms generally require a level of administrative sophistication that is lacking in most domestic advocacy organizations. In addition, funds from EU sources often come with limitations and are allocated through governments sometimes hostile to NGO criticism.

The existing situation poses serious challenges to the sustainability and to the very existence of some of these groups. The problem seems to be more acute in the new member states of the EU, where many private as well as bilateral donors have withdrawn, viewing EU membership as a guarantee that these transitional societies will continue on the path toward liberal democracy. Unfortunately, the experience of the first wave of accession has shown that EU membership has, in certain cases, led to regress and the undoing of certain reforms undertaken as a precondition for joining the Union. The demise of strong watchdog activity would leave many of these young democracies without their first line of defense against abuses of state power against their citizens.

Program Objectives

The Human Rights and Governance Grants Program (HRGGP) of OSI seeks proposals that aim to improve the long-term sustainability of human rights and accountability watchdog NGOs in the EU through research and advocacy.

The following objectives/elements should be included in the proposal:

Background Research and Exploration

  • Mapping of the funding situation of watchdog NGOs in selected EU countries. Through a carefully designed methodology, the project shall look into the question of what funds are available to human rights and accountability watchdog NGOs in the new EU member states. The study shall identify funds that are available, as well as gauge their accessibility and focus. Of particular interest are funds available from various EU institutions.
  • Analysis of opportunities for alternative fundraising through local philanthropy and exploration of possibilities to invigorate a local culture of giving. The project shall assess where things stand in various countries with regard to local philanthropy, the level of development and its limitations. A list of best practice case studies, which could be replicated, shall be compiled. Furthermore, the project shall explore ways in which local philanthropy and alternative fundraising techniques could be developed and advanced.

The findings from the background research will be made available publicly as it will provide important information for donors, NGOs and governments. The principal function of this exploratory work, however, should be to serve as the basis for further targeted monitoring that will result in a report that can be used for advocacy purposes (described in the following section).

Research and Advocacy Geared Towards Strengthening the Sustainability of Watchdog NGOs

The advocacy component will be a crucial part of the project aiming to achieve a better funding environment for watchdog NGOs. Research for this phase should be designed with clear policy objectives in mind and result in an advocacy report. The report should include specific recommendations to donor organizations, governments and NGOs themselves. Beyond publication and wide dissemination of the report, the proposal should identify what various efforts will be carried out by the applicant to achieve the advocacy goals: awareness raising at various levels, organizing public events, pushing for changes in legislation/policy/programs.

As our program is active only in the new EU member states, the research should focus on these countries, with the inclusion of select Western European countries as relevant. The list of countries and NGOs selected for interview and research methodology shall be designed in consultation with HRGGP. A special focus should be given to funds available from various EU institutions, including the EU Specific Program“Fundamental Rights and Citizenship” (also known as the EU Watchdog Fund).

Eligibility

Proposals can be submitted by nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations with strong capacity for research and advocacy. Individual NGOs or consortia can apply. Given the complexity of the tasks, proposals from a coalition of organizations will be given priority. In case of applications from consortia, partner organizations may be chosen outside the non-profit sector but it is required that the main applicant be an NGO. Only one proposal will be selected for funding. The successful candidate is expected to design a specific and easily applicable research methodology combined with an effective advocacy model and realistic budget.

Before any proposals are submitted, we would like to receive expressions of interest in the form of 3-5 page concept papers from interested organizations.

Timetable

The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is March 10, 2009. OSI expects to notify applicants of the result of evaluation by April 15, 2009. Applicants whose concept notes have received positive feedback will be invited to submit full proposals.

Contact Information

Andrea Simonits: simonits@osi.hu

Peter Nizak: pnizak@osi.hu

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