Call for Proposals for the EIDHR Country-Based Support Scheme 2007 of the EC Delegation in the former Yugoslav  Republic of Macedonia - European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)

Funding: minimum 20000E, maximum 80000E

A grant may not be for less than 50% of the total eligible costs of the action. In addition, no grant may exceed 80% of the total eligible costs of the action.

Reference: EuropeAid/126892/L/ACT/FYR
Budget (EUR): 600000
Status: Open (until 20.05.2008)
Documents:   tender 20.03.2008  Guidlines for Grant Applicants   Grant Application Form   Budget   Log Frame

Five specific EIDHR objectives:

1.    Enhancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in countries and regions where they are most at risk.
2.    Strengthening the role of civil society in promoting human rights and democratic reform, supporting the peaceful conciliation of group interests and consolidating political participation and representation.
3.    Supporting actions on human rights and democracy issues in areas covered by EU guidelines, including dialogues on human rights, human rights defenders, the death penalty, torture, and children and armed conflict.
4.    Supporting and strengthening the international and regional frameworks for the protection of human rights, justice, the rule of law and the promotion of democracy.
5.    Building confidence in and enhancing the reliability and transparency of democratic electoral processes, in particular through election observation.

Priority themes

1- the pursuit of common agendas for human rights and democratic reform based on cooperation among civil society organisations working in mutual support, building coalitions across different communities and identity groups and a range of socio-economic actors. Themes will derive from those local concerns and priorities which are conducive to mobilising broad support and effective outcomes. Actions aiming at promoting rule of law, access to justice and monitoring the implementation of the new laws such as data protection, access to information, or democratic oversight of the security sector, on prevention of torture and ill-treatment, and  on any form of discrimination. Set up effective mechanisms to identify, pursue all forms of discrimination by state and non-state bodies against individuals or groups. Specific support can be provided, where relevant, for concerted civil society monitoring action, for example in the context of monitoring human rights record of state institutions as well as in monitoring the implementation of the international commitments. This includes activities supporting full comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and the recommendations made by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture as well as the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

2 - enhancing democratic participation in the electoral processes based on community education and awareness campaigns targeting voters on the electoral rules  promoting a fair electoral system. Support to initiatives ensuring the implementation of the internal guidelines for the role of the media, including specific instructions/guidelines for the citizens aimed at preventing any form of illegal practices and violations of procedures. Measures initiated by local civil society organisations aimed at supporting implementation of recommendations of the election observation missions. (Election monitoring activities are not subject covered with the present call).

3- initiatives to enhance the inclusiveness and pluralism, based on activities aiming at developing active use of civic rights by individuals or groups, notably at local government level. For example by supporting activities and capacity-building of new or fragile civil society organisations formed by groups whose interests are underrepresented, or otherwise contributing to the empowerment of such groups (e.g. minority groups, persons subject to discrimination, and initiatives to promote independent media excluding hate media). Building towards consensus in divided societies, by means of civil society dialogues which bring together a wide range of stakeholders to share experience and analyse common problems. Activities may target, for instance, peaceful conciliation of different group interests, more active involvement of smaller minorities on bases of cultural, ethnic or religion differences in central and local self-government institutions, including the specific role of women in such processes, having a broader perspective of strengthening democratic institutions and human rights;

4 - social rights, including minorities and in particular the Roma - activities aimed at promoting social inclusion and non-discrimination with explicit mainstreaming and monitoring of women and children rights, rights of persons with disabilities, and the rights of persons belonging to minorities.

Promote access to education, justice and social welfare for Roma and other members of minority groups. Strengthen the capacities of the civil society organisations for their active participation in implementation of the social inclusion and social protection policies. Activities which take further efforts improve the social right situation of underrepresented groups, responsiveness and accountability of the key stake holders and activities supporting functioning and representative social dialogue.

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