The main criteria to assess the eligibility of proposals received are: 1) Identity, 2) Nature, 3) Necessity and 4) Approach.
Identity of the applicant
The grants are aimed at civil society actors, regardless of their gender, in consideration of their activities aimed at promoting and protecting universal rights and freedoms of third parties – acting individually or as part of a group – and using peaceful means.
All the individuals, groups or entities, who are identified by their commitment to improve the protection of all civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights as prescribed in, among others, International Human Rights Conventions, are eligible for support from the Foundation without any prerequisites other than the purpose and autonomous nature of their activities.
In the context of its support actions, specific attention is paid to groups considered to be especially vulnerable and in need of special assistance because of the scope of their action (isolated regions) or because of the nature of the rights they defend (minorities, marginalised youth and women, etc.).
Nature of the proposal
Proposals are assessed as eligible when they are dealing with fundamental rights and freedoms as they are universally affirmed, address protection needs, and innovative or sensitive issues at the local or national level and target marginalised and vulnerable persons.
The Foundation gives priority to cover the core costs of civil society actors, as they are fundamental to strengthen their operational capacities and to open sustainability prospects.
Necessity of the request
The applicant is facing risks or working within a difficult context, and no other donor has agreed to support the request (or it only receives occasional support for project but no core funding that would help sustaining its/his/her activity).
Approach of the applicant
The applicant collaborates with other civil society actors, and the performances and usefulness of the activities have been recognised by the communities served and by external partners.
A significant consideration will also be placed on innovative means, as alternatives to traditional activities, to reach out to the youths (cultural, artistic and media activities as examples).