short list of project proposals for fourteenth …

SHORT LIST OF PROJECT PROPOSALS

FOR FOURTEENTH ROUND OF FUNDING

2020

2

Table of Contents

Introduction 3

Table of Short-listed Project Proposals 5

Analysis of Short-listed Project Proposals 10

Detailed Descriptions of Short-listed Project Proposals 13

3

Introduction: Democracy Support Amid Global Crisis

UNDEF opened its fourteenth call for proposals on 22 November 2019. The call was open to

proposals in all UNDEF’s focus areas: women’s empowerment; rule of law and human rights;

youth engagement; strengthening civil society interaction with government; media and freedom

of information; tools for knowledge; and electoral processes.

As agreed with the UNDEF Advisory Board in November 2019, this Round particularly

welcomed projects on media and freedom of information. This covers a range of topics, such as

promoting citizen journalism, including in conflict and post-conflict settings; training journalists

in legal know-how as well as personal safety and security, both physical and online; building

peer support networks for freelance journalists; developing investigative journalism skills;

understanding and advancing legislation for access to information; combating hate speech;

developing public media literacy, with a focus on learning to digest material critically and to

evaluate sources -- both online and in other media.

These themes will be even more topical in the world of Covid-19 and its aftermath. In this new

age, it will be more critical than ever to develop the ability to gather and evaluate facts and fight

disinformation. Equally critical will be building digital safety and security: Covid-19 has made

it necessary for democratic processes and democracy movements to go online. This trend is

likely to continue long beyond the pandemic itself, with all the challenges that brings in

potential suppression and interference.

Also highly relevant in the Covid-19 crisis will be projects in women’s empowerment, given the

economic and social toll on them, and the surge in gender-based violence as a result of added

pressures and confinement.

UNDEF received 2551 project proposals for this Round, reflecting continuing high demand. 

The proposals originated from organizations in 139 countries, the vast majority local civil

society organizations in Africa, Arab States, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the

Caribbean. This adds to the considerable growth the Fund has experienced since its creation in

2005, and will bring the total number of projects supported by the Fund to over 870.  These

UNDEF-supported initiatives all reflect a focus on strengthening the voice of civil society and

encouraging the participation of all groups in democratic processes -- thus concentrating on the

demand side of democracy, rather than the supply side.

The following short list is the product of a thorough and rigorous process of assessment, quality

vetting, due diligence and lessons learned from previous Rounds. A team of 10 international

experts, combining more than 100 years of programme and project experience, assessed and

scored each proposal against 10 set criteria and produced a long-short-list of 235 project

proposals.

4

To narrow down the list further, UN Resident Coordinators were invited to provide comments,

quality vetting, and views on how proposed activities would fit with the UN Sustainable

Development Cooperation Framework in the countries concerned. The same comments were

invited from the UNDEF Programme Consultative Group, making use of the specific expertise

of each of its entities: the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN

Development Programme, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and UN Women.

Based on this collective input, the UNDEF Secretariat produced the attached recommendation

of 33 project proposals: 31 per cent in Asia; 27 per cent in Africa; 18 per cent in the Arab world;

12 per cent in Europe; and 12 per cent in Latin America.

Broken down by key activity, 47 per cent of project proposals are in media and freedom of

information; 18 per cent in women’s empowerment; 11 per cent in youth engagement; 13 per

cent in rule of law and human rights; 5 per cent in strengthening interaction with government; 3

per cent in community activism and 3 per cent in tools for knowledge.

Once the Board has endorsed the short list, Governments of countries where projects are

envisaged will be informed. After that, the list goes to the UN Secretary-General for final

approval. Once this final approval is in place, the proposal moves into the final stage in the

selection process: the negotiation of a project document, which is in effect the contract between

UNDEF and the grantee.  This negotiation requires the applicant to provide a more elaborated

project design and budget; it involves detailed input from both UNDEF and the applicant, as

well as scrutiny and due diligence enquiries by UNDEF.  Only upon successful conclusion of

the project document will the project formally be approved for funds disbursement.

Annika Savill

Executive Head, UN Democracy Fund

April 2020

5

SHORT LIST

FOURTEENTH ROUND OF FUNDING

Proposal

Number

Region /

Country Project Name

Implementing

Agency Project Focus

Approved

Grant

Amount

AFRICA

1 48652 Cameroon

Citizen Action for

Freedom of the

Press in Cameroon

Un Monde

Avenir

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$198,000

2 50932 Ethiopia

Promoting Peace

Through Youth

Media Literacy in

Ethiopia

Whiz Kids

Workshop

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$242,000

3 51069 Kenya

Securing the Digital

Environment for

the 2022 Election in

Kenya

Kofi Annan

Foundation

Support for

Electoral

Processes /

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$220,000

4 48768

Kenya,

Nigeria,

South Africa

Improving Public

Debate and

Enabling Evidence-

based Decision-

making in Nigeria,

Kenya and South

Africa

Africa Check

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$495,000

5 48086 Liberia

Strengthening

Independent Media

and Freedom of

Information in

Liberia

Volunteers for

Sustainable

Development

in Africa

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$198,000

6

6 48999 Mali

Supporting

Democratization

Through

Participatory Radio

Programming in

Mali

Association

Radiodiffuseurs

de Kayes pour

le

Développement

Rurale

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$220,000

7 50466 Niger

Standing up for

Youth Information

Rights in Niger

Alternative

Espaces

Citoyens

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$220,000

8 50390 Nigeria

Strengthening

Advocacy for

Transparent and

Inclusive Budget

Processes in Local

Government Areas

in Nigeria

Social

Development

Integrated

Centre/ Social

Action

Strengthening

Civil Society

Capacity for

Interaction

with

Government

$220,000

9 50442 Uganda

Strengthening

Grassroots

Women’s Groups

to Promote and

Protect Civic Space

in Uganda

All in One

Womens

Association

Women's

Empowerment $220,000

Total Africa $2,233,000

ARAB STATES

10 50772

Algeria,

Morocco,

Tunisia

Protecting Media

Freedoms in the

Digital Era in

Algeria, Morocco

and Tunisia

ARTICLE 19

MENA

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$198,000

11 49673 Iraq

Strengthening

Media for

Democratization in

the Kurdistan

Region of Iraq

Kurdistan

Organization

for Human

Rights Watch

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$242,000

12 50807

Iraq;

Lebanon;

Morocco;

Tunisia

Strengthening

Independent Media

in the Arab Region

Journalists for

Human Rights

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$495,000

7

13 49133 Lebanon

Strengthening

Legislation for

Women Affected

by Sexual Violence

and Exploitation in

Lebanon

Resource

Center for

Women's

Empowerment

Women's


14 49173 Morocco

Strengthening

Citizen

Participation and

Monitoring of

Public Policy in

Morocco

Forum

Azzahrae for

Moroccan

Women

Youth

Engagement /

Women's

Empowerment

$220,000

15 50776 Tunisia

Strengthening

Citizen Journalism

to Counter Hate

Speech and Violent

Extremism in

Tunisia

Arab Institute

For Human

Rights

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$198,000

Total Arab States $1,529,000

ASIA AND PACIFIC

16 48566 Bangladesh

Advancing

Engagement by

Setting Up Urban

Youth Councils in

Bangladesh

SERAC-

Bangladesh

Youth

Engagement $187,000

17 49006 Bhutan

Strengthening the

Foundations of

Democracy

Through Media

Literacy in Bhutan

Bhutan Centre

for Media and

Democracy

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$110,000

18 50988 Indonesia

Learning from the

Past for Sustainable

Peace and

Democracy in

Indonesia

Asia Justice and

Rights

Rule of Law

and Human

Rights / Youth

Engagement

$198,000

19 49960 Kyrgyzstan

‘Fighting Like a

Girl’ to Build

Gender-Sensitive

Media in

Kyrgyzstan

International

Debate

Education

Association in

Central Asia

Media and

Freedom of

Information /

Women's

Empowerment

$198,000

8

20 49122 Mongolia

Strengthening the

Watchdog

Functions of Media

and Civil Society in

Mongolia

Press Institute

of Mongolia

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$187,000

21

49042 Nepal

Enhancing Gender-

Responsive Local

Governance in

Nepal

South Asia

Partnership

Nepal

Women's


22 48448 Pakistan

Safeguarding the

Rights of

Transgender &

Intersex

Communities in

Pakistan

Formation

Awareness &

Community

Empowerment

Society

Rule of Law

and Human

Rights

$187,000

23 47825 Tajikistan

Advancing Media

Freedom Through

Legal Reform in

Tajikistan

PO Association

"People's

assessors of the

Republic of

Tajikistan"

Media

Freedom and

Information /

Rule of Law

and Human

rights

$110,000

24 48163 Timor-Leste

Increasing Civic

Space for Youth in

Timor-Leste

Plan

International

Timor-Leste

Youth

Engagement $187,000

25 50371 Uzbekistan

Accelerating

Women’s Climate-

Change Tech

Startups in

Uzbekistan

Tech4Impact Women's


Total Asia and Pacific $1,782,000

EUROPE

26 50749 Albania

Combatting Hate

Speech and

Protecting Rights in

Albania

Counselling

Line for

Women and

Girls

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$187,000

27 50298 Belarus

Protecting the

Rights of Youth in

Institutions in

Belarus

Charitable

Public

Association

"World

Without

Borders"

Rule of Law

and Human

Rights

$220,000

9

28 49099 Bosnia

Establishing an

Interactive

Educational

Database on the

War in Bosnia and

Herzegovina

Balkan

Investigative

Reporting

Network in

Bosnia and

Herzegovina

Tools for

Knowledge $198,000

29 50114 Ukraine

Bolstering Citizen

Journalism in

Ukraine

Human Rights

Platform

Rule of Law

and Human

Rights

$132,000

Total Europe $737,000

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

30 47979 Chile

A New

Constitution:

Historical

Opportunity to

Advance Gender

Equality and

Women’s Rights

Centro

Regional de

Derechos

Humanos y

Justicia de

Género

Women's


31 50098 Colombia

Enabling Local

Information and

Media Literacy for

a Better-Informed

Society in

Colombia

Fundación para

la Libertad de

Prensa/ Press

Freedom

Foundation

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$495,000

32 48949

Guyana,

Jamaica,

Trinidad

and Tobago

Advancing Climate

Democracy in

Guyana, Jamaica,

Trinidad and

Tobago

IAMovement

Strengthening

Civil Society

Capacity for

Interaction

with

Government

$275,000

33 50257 Paraguay

Strengthening the

Right to Freedom

of Expression in

Paraguay

Instituto de

Derecho y

Economía

Ambiental

Media and

Freedom of

Information

$220,000

Total Latin America and the Caribbean $1,188,000

ROUND 14 TOTAL $7,469,000

10

Analysis of Short-Listed Project Proposals

Projects Allocated by Region

Africa 9 27.27%

Arab States 6 18.18%

Asia and Pacific 10 30.30%

Europe 4 12.12%

Latin America and the Caribbean 4 12.12%

Round 14 Total by Projects 33 100.00%

9, 27%

6, 18%

10, 31%

4, 12%

4, 12%

Africa

Arab States

Asia and Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

11

Funds Allocated by Region

Africa $ 2,233,000.00 30%

Arab States $ 1,529,000.00 20%

Asia and Pacific $ 1,782,000.00 24%

Europe $ 737,000.00 10%

Latin America and the Caribbean $ 1,188,000.00 16%

Round 14 Total by Funds $ 7,469,000.00 100.00%

$2,233,000.00 , 30%

$1,529,000.00 , 20%

$1,782,000.00 , 24%

$737,000.00 , 10%

$1,188,000.00 , 16%

Africa

Arab States

Asia and Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

12

Projects by Focus Area

Media and Freedom of Information 18 47%

Women's Empowerment 7 18%

Rule of Law and Human Rights 5 13%

Youth Engagement 4 11%

Strengthening Civil Society Capacity for Interaction with Government 2 5%

Tools for Knowledge 1 3%

Electoral Process 1 3%

Round 14 Total by Focus Areas 38 100%

18, 47%

7, 18%

5, 13%

4, 11%

2, 5%

1, 3% 1, 3%Media and Freedom ofInformation

Women's Empowerment

Rule of Law and Human Rights

Youth Engagement

Strengthening Civil SocietyCapacity for Interaction withGovernment

Tools for Knowledge

Electoral Process

13

AFRICA

Cameroon

Proposal Receipt Number: 48652

Project Focus: Media and Freedom of

Information

Amount Recommended: $198,000

Project Title:

Citizen Action for Freedom of the Press in Cameroon

Implementing Agency: Local

Presse Un Monde Avenir

http://www.unmondeavenir.org/

Established in 2006, this organization specializes in

social mobilization, civic participation and defending

human rights, particularly among minorities. It has

consultative status with ECOSOC and has collaborated

and received funding from the European Union, US

National Endowment for Democracy and UNFPA. It

received UNDEF funding in 2011 for an electoral

education project.

Issue being addressed and solutions offered:

The project proposes to build capacity and improve online and physical security for professional and

citizen journalists. It further proposes to advocate for legislation protecting the right to information. It

would focus on three of the country’s regions and use a combination of training, advocacy and multi-

stakeholder consultations to encourage improved access to public information and to promote the

freedom of speech, including through legal reforms. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19

world and its aftermath, where the fight against disinformation and for freedom of information, media

literacy and online safety will be crucial.


14

Ethiopia


Project Focus: Media Freedom and Information


Project Title:

Promoting Peace Through Youth Media

Literacy in Ethiopia


Whiz Kids Workshop

http://www.whizkidsworkshop.com/

Established in 2005, this social enterprise

produces the country’s longest-running TV

series aimed at equipping children with life

skills. It has introduced an animated series

promoting women’s empowerment and is

working with schools to promote science and

reading by integrating its products into the

curriculum. It has received support from UNDP,

UNESCO, the US Agency for International

Development and David and Lucile Packard

Foundation.


The project proposes to promote media literacy among young social media users – focussing on 10-15-

year-old public school students to help them to critically review the content that they encounter and to

evaluate sources of information or comment. It would seek to incorporate into schools’ civics

curriculum an animated series featuring three adolescent superheroines, one of whom embodies

critical thinking. The project also would produce a media literacy kit and disseminate it to school-

based clubs in the Addis Ababa area. In turn, these clubs would produce cartoons promoting the

ethical exercise of the freedom of information and expression. Outstanding productions would be

showcased on World Press Freedom Day 2021. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world

and its aftermath, where the fight against disinformation and for freedom of information, media

literacy and online safety will be crucial; and where it will be essential to advance understanding of the

specific impact of the crisis n young people, ensuring that responses uphold their rights and are

inclusive of their needs.

http://www.whizkidsworkshop.com/

15

Kenya


Project Focus: Support for Electoral

Processes / Media and Freedom of

Information


Project Title:

Securing the Digital Environment for the 2022 Election

in Kenya


Kofi Annan Foundation

https://www.kofiannanfoundation.org/

Founded in 2007, the foundation has sought to advance

peace, human rights and the rule of law through support

for peace processes, fair elections and measures to counter

youth and violent extremism. In Africa, its partners have

included the African Development Bank, African Union,

East African Community, Economic Community of

Central African States, Economic Community of West

African States, Intergovernmental Authority on

Development, and South African Development

Community. It has received funding from, among others,

the Governments of Germany, Norway, Sweden and

Switzerland, European Union, World Bank Group, Gates

Foundation, Robert Bosch Foundation, Mo Ibrahim

Foundation, One Young World and Open Society

Foundations. It was awarded an UNDEF grant in 2018, for

“Strengthening Electoral Processes in Côte d'Ivoire,

Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana,

Nigeria”.


The Internet’s wide reach and the ubiquity of social media have allowed political leaders and civil

society to mobilise and spread information but also enabled incitements to hatred and violence in

previous elections. Measures can be taken with those producing and consuming digital content, and

with tech companies hosting digital platforms, to de-weaponize the digital environment and to build

confidence in digital conduct throughout the electoral cycle. The project proposes to convene inclusive

political and technical dialogue, build consensus and develop action plans to advance digital

preparedness, trust and good process. Partners in these activities would include policymakers, political

parties, civil society, Parliament, the judiciary, the Independent Election and Boundaries Commission,

electoral observers’ groups and the tech and media industries. One key outcome of agreement among

these stakeholders would be a digital code of conduct. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19

world and its aftermath, where the fight against disinformation and for media literacy and digital

safety will be crucial.

https://www.kofiannanfoundation.org/

16

Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa



Information


Project Title:

Improving Public Debate and Enabling Evidence-

based Decision-making in Nigeria, Kenya and South

Africa


Africa Check

https://africacheck.org/

Founded in 2012, this organization’s goal is to raise the

quality of information available to society across Africa.

It provides fact-checking in English and French in such

areas as education, health, elections and the economy

and has trained journalists, students and members of

civil society to do their own fact-checking. It belongs to

and serves on the advisory board of the International

Fact-Checking Network and has received funding from

the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Open

Society Initiative West Africa, among others.


This is a four-year project, one of four longer, strategic projects UNDEF is piloting for the first time in

this Round, as normally, UNDEF projects are two years long. The project proposes to address

misinformation, improve the quality of public debate and enable evidence-based decision-making in

Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Over the course of four years, it would help people to acquire the

media literacy skills needed to critically interrogate and evaluate information instead of simply

consuming and sharing it.

Through training initiatives and creation of tool-kits, the project also would seek to increase access to

information and foster a culture of fact-checking among professional journalists, bloggers and

students. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where the fight against

disinformation and for freedom of information, media literacy and online safety will be crucial; and

where it will be essential to advance understanding of the specific impact of the crisis on young people,

ensuring that responses uphold their rights and are inclusive of their needs.

https://africacheck.org/

17

Liberia


Project Focus: Media Freedom and

Information


Project Title:

Strengthening Independent Media and Freedom of

Information in Liberia


Volunteers for Sustainable Development in Africa

https://vosieda.org/

Founded in 2003, this organization works with media

and civil society organizations in Liberia and West

Africa’s Mano River Basin to expand civic space and

promote democratic governance through transparency

and accountability. It has collaborated with or received

support from the European Union, OHCHR, UNDP,

UN Women and WFP. It received UNDEF funding in

2010 for the project “Increasing Civic Participations in

Liberia”.


The project proposes to strengthen independent media and freedom of information by advancing

freedom of the press, the safety of journalists and media self-regulation through training, mentoring

and networking. It would enhance journalists’ and civil society organizations’ awareness of and

demand for the right to public information. In partnership with the Press Union and University of

Liberia Department of Journalism and Communication, the project also would promote collaboration

between media and local governments. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its

aftermath, where freedom of information, media literacy and online safety will be crucial.

https://vosieda.org/

18

Mali



Information


Project Title :

Supporting Democratization Through Participatory

Radio Programming in Mali

Implementing Agency : Local

Association Radiodiffuseurs de Kayes pour le

Développement Rurale

http://www.radioruraledekayes.net/

Established in 1992, this organization aims to promote

civic participation in the processes of democratization

and administrative decentralization, especially in rural

areas. It has received funding from the Italian Agency

for Development Cooperation and has collaborated

with UNESCO and WFP.


The project proposes to use participatory radio programmes to strengthen the inclusion of rural

populations in civic debate around such themes as democracy and development; democratization as it

relates to women, migrants and returnees; multiparty political systems; and the role of international

cooperation. Women, men, young people, community groups and local authorities would be involved

in the design and production of stories and debates in the studio and in the villages where they live.

The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where the fight against


where it will be essential to advance understanding of the specific impact of the crisis on women,

young and marginalized people, ensuring that responses uphold their rights and are inclusive of their

needs.

http://www.radioruraledekayes.net/

19

Niger



Information


Project Title:

Standing up for Youth Information Rights in Niger


Alternative Espaces Citoyens

http://www.alternativeniger.net/

Established in 2001, this organization promotes and

defends the human rights of young people, women and

other vulnerable groups. It works with them to improve

inclusion and responsiveness at the local and national

levels of government. It has worked with UNDP and in

2013 received UNDEF funding to advance women’s

participation in local budget-making.


The project proposes to support young people’s efforts to promote democracy and human rights

through social movements and as individual agents of change. It would use educational materials and

forums to advance young people’s civic engagement, participation in elections and rejection of violent

extremism. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where the fight

against disinformation and for freedom of information, media literacy and online safety will be crucial;

and where it will be essential to advance understanding of the specific impact of the crisis on young

people, ensuring that responses uphold their rights and are inclusive of their needs.

http://www.alternativeniger.net/



20

Nigeria


Project Focus: Strengthening Civil Society

Capacity for Interaction with Government


Project Title:

Strengthening Advocacy for Transparent and

Inclusive Budget Processes in Local Government

Areas in Nigeria


Social Development Integrated Centre/Social

Action

http://saction.org/

Established in 2008, this organization uses popular

education to strengthen civic participation and

accountability and to support grassroots movements

for social change. It has collaborated with and

received support from, among others, the Ford

Foundation, Open Society Initiative for West Africa,

Revenue Watch Institute and the US Agency for

International Development.


The project proposes to strengthen civil society organizations, the media, women’s and youth groups

to strengthen and advocate for participation in local budgeting processes. It would further seek to

engage local government duty bearers to strengthen transparency and accountability. Advocates

would be trained in the fundamentals of public finance and accountability, and in how to use research,

engage officials and mount community campaigns. They and local officials would be supported in

establishing platforms for community engagement. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19

world and its aftermath, where it will be essential to advance understanding of the specific impact of

the cirisis on women and young people, ensuring that responses uphold their rights and are inclusive

of their needs.

http://saction.org/

21

Uganda


Project Focus: Women’s Empowerment


Project Title:

Strengthening Grassroots Women’s Groups to

Promote and Protect Civic Space in Uganda


All in One Womens Association

https://www.alowa.or.ug/

This organization was founded in 2004 to increase rural

women’s participation in political and decision-making

processes. It has partnered with the umbrella Uganda

Women’s Network and received funding from

CIVICUS, Hivos and Urgent Action Fund-Africa. This

is its first UNDEF application.


The project proposes to use training, networking and organizational capacity building to empower

6,000 rural women and 100 grassroots women’s groups to participate in and influence political,

economic, and social decision-making that affects women’s lives, and to promote and protect space for

civic engagement. The project would similarly strengthen the capacity of women’s human-rights

defenders, legal committees and District NGO Monitoring Committees, and set up legal-services teams

to help women’s groups in rural, upcountry locations to produce the documentation needed to become

registered organizations. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where

it will be essential to address the massive impact of the crisis on women, ensuring that responses

uphold their rights and are inclusive of their needs. This includes the need to address the surge in

domestic violence amid lockdowns, quarantines and economic and social pressures.

https://www.alowa.or.ug/

22

ARAB STATES

Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia



Information


Project Title:

Protecting Media Freedoms in the Digital Era in Algeria,

Morocco and Tunisia


Article 19 Mena

http://www.aihr-iadh.org/ar/

Established in 2012, this organization promotes the

freedom of speech and public access to information. It has

collaborated with or received funding from, among others,

the Governments of Canada and the United Kingdom,

European Union, US National Endowment for Democracy,

World Bank and Open Society Foundations.


The project proposes to strengthen online media in two ways. Using training and networking within

and between countries, it would support media outlets, professionals and associations to advance the

right to information and free speech as ongoing media convergence changes old ways of working and

standards of conduct. The project further proposes to use multi-stakeholder workshops to build media

capacity to produce content that reflects values of freedom, equality and social responsibility as laid

out by UN human rights mechanisms. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its

aftermath, where freedom of information, media literacy and online safety will be crucial.


23

Iraq



Information


Project Title:

Strengthening Media for Democratization in the

Kurdistan Region of Iraq


Kurdistan Organization for Human Rights Watch

http://www.kohrw.org/

Founded in 1996, this organization works in the areas of

human rights, legal reform, food and shelter. In addition to

community service delivery, it engages in policy and

programme design and advocacy. It has provided training

on gender-based violence to military personnel and has

established a legal defense center for migrant workers. It

has collaborated with and received funding from UN

agencies including IOM, OHCHR and UNDP.


The project proposes to improve the professionalism, security, and profile of journalism within the

Kurdistan region. It would provide journalists with professional, legal and personal security and

online safety training and help them to establish or join national and international support networks. It

would further aim to strengthen their understanding and advancement of freedom-of-information

legislation. Complementary training on such issues as human rights, freedom of expression and access

to information would also be extended to community-based organizations and government officials.

The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where freedom of information,

media literacy and online safety will be crucial.

http://www.kohrw.org/

24

Iraq, Lebanon, Tunisia



Information

Amount Recommended: $ 495,000

Project Title:

Strengthening Independent Media in the Arab Region


Journalists for Human Rights

https://jhr.ca/

Founded in 2002, this organization builds media

capacity to promote democracy and better governance

by covering human rights issues and abuses. It has

trained some 16,500 journalists in 29 countries in post-

conflict Africa, the Middle East, and indigenous

communities in Canada with financial support from

Global Affairs Canada, DFID UK, the US National

Endowment for Democracy and State Department and

the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It has received six

prior UNDEF grants, in 2007 and 2009 in Sierra Leone,

2012 in South Sudan, 2013 in Jordan, 2016 in Syria and

2018 in Mali.



this Round, as normally, UNDEF projects are two years long. The project proposes to strengthen the

capacity of media, especially independent outlets, to address poor governance, minority

underrepresentation and weak public voice and participation. Using training and peer-learning

techniques, the project proposes to enhance the capacity of full-time and freelance journalists to

produce investigative human-rights journalism based on data and facts including information and

knowledge generated by citizen journalists. The project further proposes to strengthen the abilities of

media managers, editors and senior journalists to lead their organizations in a planned and sustained

manner, and to improve networking and collaboration across media. The project is highly relevant in

the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where freedom of information, media literacy and online safety

will be crucial.

https://jhr.ca/

25

Lebanon


Project Focus: Women’s Empowerment


Project Title:

Strengthening Legislation for Women Affected by

Sexual Violence and Exploitation in Lebanon


Resource Centre for Gender Equality

http://www.abaadmena.org/

Established in 2011, this organization uses advocacy and

policy development to advance the rights of women and

other marginalized groups. It has ECOSOC special

consultative status and has worked with UNESCO,

UNHCR and UNICEF to assist Syrian and Lebanese

survivors of gender-based violence. Its main funders also

include Save the Children, Oxfam, Caritas Austria, and the

Norwegian Church Alliance. It received an UNDEF grant

in 2018 (“Mobilizing Communities for Fair Sexual-

Violence Legislation in Lebanon”), on which the current

proposal seeks to build.


The project focuses on strengthening victim protections and realigning social attitudes on gender-

based violence. The project will build on a recently completed first UNDEF Lebanon project in this

area, implemented by the same civil society organization. This resulted in agreement to repeal

Lebanon’s Article 522, which exempted a rapist from punishment if the survivor married the

perpetrator -- a provision grounded in social norms that often resulted in a victim being coerced by

family to marry her attacker. The new project is highly relevant given the acute challenges caused by

Covid-19, with a surge in domestic violence amid lockdowns, quarantines and economic and social

pressures.

http://www.abaadmena.org/

26

Morocco


Project Focus: Youth Engagement / Women's

Empowerment


Project Title:

Strengthening Citizen Participation and

Monitoring of Public Policy in Morocco


Forum Azzahrae for Moroccan Women

http://www.fz.ma/

Founded in 2002, this organization convenes women

and other stakeholders to advance women’s rights

and family welfare. It has ECOSOC accreditation

and participates in the UN Human Rights Council

and Commission on the Status of Women. It has

received funding from several government

ministries and from the Governments of the United

Kingdom and United States.


Building on previous efforts to strengthen capacity and encourage civic engagement among youth

leaders and organizations, the project would establish a public-policy observatory to monitor and

draw attention to the state of public consultation, particularly of youth, women and marginalized

people, in the design and implementation of public policy. The project would also train civil society

organizations in techniques of monitoring and evaluation, to improve their ability to assess policies’

and projects’ impact on social inclusion. The observatory would be called the Citizen Monitor and

would serve as a platform for engagement between community groups and local government officials

who would take office following elections scheduled for 2021. The project will address impacts of the

Covid-19 crisis and its aftermath on women, young and marginalized people, ensuring that responses

engage them and uphold their rights and needs.

http://www.fz.ma/

27

Tunisia



Information


Project Title:

Strengthening Citizen Journalism to Counter Hate

Speech and Violent Extremism in Tunisia


Arab Institute for Human Rights


Established in 1989, this organization uses human rights

education to influence policymaking, strengthen media

and advance civic participation and voice. It has observer

or consultative status with ECOSOC and several UN,

regional, and national human rights bodies and in 1992

received a UNESCO prize for teaching human rights. Its

board includes members from UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA,

UNHCHR, UNHCR and UNICEF, with which it also has a

long-term agreement to provide civic education in the

MENA region. It received an UNDEF grant in 2014 to

strengthen journalists’ and bloggers’ capacity to promote

human rights.


The project proposes to strengthen the capacity of some 120 citizen journalists and media

representatives to investigate and promote human rights and oppose hate speech and violent

extremism. It would conduct trainings on human rights principles and mechanisms, legislation

governing the freedom of information and expression, professional skills and the technical and security

constraints confronting journalists. The project further proposes to develop training material

specifically on hate speech and violent extremism, and to provide online mentoring as well as

specialized on-site support to develop blogs, television and radio programs and social media content

to advance human rights and non-violence. To further encourage this work, it would award prizes for

the best media productions. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath,

where the fight against disinformation and for freedom of information, media literacy and online



28

ASIA AND PACIFIC

Bangladesh


Project Focus: Youth Engagement


Project Title:

Advancing Engagement by Setting Up Urban

Youth Councils in Bangladesh


SERAC-Bangladesh

http://serac-bd.org/

Founded in 1993, this organization focuses on

improving disadvantaged communities’ access to

human rights, health services, legal protection,

education, livelihood opportunities and social

supports. It has partnered with or received support

from UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNICEF and WHO.


This project would support young people, who make up one-third of the country’s population, to

increase their representation and participation in political processes. Inspired by the UN-Habitat

World Urban Youth Councils Network, the project proposes to establish the country’s first urban

youth councils as a means of providing opportunities for young people to participate in municipal

government as youth councillors elected by young people to represent them in, or as adjuncts to,

municipal assemblies or mayoral offices. The project would focus on four cities and advocate for the

central government to set up youth councils throughout the country. The project is highly relevant in

the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where it will be essential to advance understanding of the

specific impact of the crisis on young people, ensuring that responses uphold their rights and are

inclusive of their needs.

http://serac-bd.org/

29

Bhutan



Information


Project Title:

Strengthening the Foundations of Democracy

Through Media Literacy in Bhutan


Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy

http://bcmd.bt

Founded in 2010, this organization focuses on civic

engagement, public discourse and media literacy in

support of participatory democracy and sustainable

community development. It has partnered with

UNDP and UNICEF and received UNDEF funding

for the 2010-2012 project “Strengthening media and

civic education to enhance democracy in Bhutan”.


The project proposes to promote news and media literacy beyond journalists and traditional media

audiences to broader swathes of society, including high schools. Accessible, local-language news and

media literacy workshops would be provided to elected leaders, educators and underserved groups

such as women and girls, taxi drivers and people with disabilities. The project would further seek to

mainstream news and media literacy education by training teachers to carry out in-school professional

development programmes and integrate it into the activities of school and college clubs. The project is

highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where the fight against disinformation and for

freedom of information, media literacy and online safety will be crucial, among all segments of the

general public.

http://bcmd.bt/

30

Indonesia


Project Focus: Rule of Law and Human Rights

/ Youth Engagement


Project Title:

Learning from the Past for Sustainable Peace and

Democracy in Indonesia


Asia and Justice Rights

https://asia-ajar.org/

Founded in 2011, this organization seeks to increase

the capacity of local and national actors, particularly

victims’ organizations, in Asia to fight impunity

where there have been mass violations of human

rights, and to help build cultures of accountability,

justice and learning from the root causes of those

violations. It is a founder of the Transitional Justice

Asia Network and a member of the Global Initiative

for Justice, Truth and Reconciliation. It has received

funding from the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of

Torture for work in Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka

and Timor-Leste, and financial support from UN

Women and Hivos.


The project proposes to empower survivors and others affected by mass human-rights violations of

decades past – including the 1965 anti-communist violence and 1975-99 conflict in what is now Timor-

Leste – to engage in youth-led dialogue designed to enable communities to address survivors’ needs,

to build intergenerational understanding and solidarity, and to apply lessons learned from the painful

past to ongoing and future efforts to build a more democratic society. Young people would be trained

and equipped to document and present survivors’ experiences, including through historical research,

interviews and photo essays. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath,

where training against disinformation and for freedom of information, media literacy and online safety

will be crucial; and where it will be essential to advance understanding of the specific impact of the

crisis on young people, ensuring that responses uphold their rights and are inclusive of their needs.

https://asia-ajar.org/

31

Kyrgyzstan



Information / Women's Empowerment


Project Title:

‘Fighting Like a Girl’ to Build Gender-Sensitive

Media in Kyrgyzstan


International Debate Education Association in

Central Asia

https://ideaca.today/en

Established in 2013, this organization and former

Open Society youth initiative works with youth to

develop and promote media literacy, critical

thinking, public speaking, civic activism and

participatory research. Its aim is to empower young

people to play an equal part in community and civic

affairs. It has collaborated with or received support

from UNFPA, UNICEF, Open Society Foundations

and the US National Endowment for Democracy.


The project proposes to create the first media platform that ensures a safe and fulfilling work

environment for experienced and aspiring media women, one in which they can learn from each other

and produce gender-sensitive content that challenges patriarchal norms. ‘Fight Like A Girl’ media

camps would be set up to enable young women to explore media careers and to develop the technical

and business skills needed to succeed in multimedia storytelling. Graduates of the media camps would

be organized as gender media activists and would launch a media collective producing local-language

content on critical issues confronting women and their communities. As they move on to new positions

these women would encourage subsequent generations to follow suit, turning the collective into a

permanent media platform. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath,


safety will be crucial; and where it will be essential to advance understanding of the specific impact of

the crisis on women, ensuring that responses uphold their rights and are inclusive of their needs.

https://ideaca.today/en

32

Mongolia



Information


Project Title:

Strengthening the Watchdog Functions of Media

and Civil Society in Mongolia


Press Institute of Mongolia

http://www.pressinst.org.mn/

Established in 1996, this organization’s strategic

priorities include supporting investigative

journalism and civic watchdogs, strengthening the

demand for and use of open data and improving

the skills of citizens to critically assess and use

information. It has worked with FAO, UNDP,

UNESCO, UNFPA and UNICEF and received

funding from, among others, the Asian

Development Bank, World Bank, and the

Governments of Denmark, Switzerland and the

United States.


This project would focus on building the capacity of media and civil society to increase public debate

and strengthen democratic governance – particularly in marginalized rural areas. Media professional’s

skills in investigation, research and analysis would be strengthened utilizing training and networking

approaches. The project further proposes to build civil society organizations’ capacity for digital

communication and advocacy, and to enhance collaboration between media and civil society to

scrutinize governance institutions and duty-bearers. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19

world and its aftermath, where the fight against disinformation and for freedom of information, media

literacy and online safety will be crucial.

http://www.pressinst.org.mn/

33

Nepal


Project Focus: Women's Empowerment


Project Title:

Enhancing Gender-Responsive Local Governance

in Nepal


South Asia Partnership Nepal

http://www.sapnepal.org.np/

Established in 1985, this organization seeks to build

the capacity of civil society organizations and

disadvantaged populations to advance good

governance, social accountability, peace building

and economic empowerment. It has collaborated

with or received financial support from the

International Fund for Agricultural Development,

Family Health International, Novib and the US

Agency for International Development. It has been

an implementing partner for two UNDEF-funded

projects involving women and indigenous

communities.


The project proposes to increase civic participation and to promote inclusion and responsiveness in

local government, with a specific focus on vulnerable groups such as the Mushar people and women.

Through training community groups and sensitizing local officials, the project would stimulate

collaboration between the community, broader civil society and the media. The project also would

engage community leaders and members to transform social norms that impede women’s

empowerment and participation. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its

aftermath, where it will be essential to advance understanding of the specific impact of the crisis on

women, ensuring that responses uphold their rights and are inclusive of their needs.

http://www.sapnepal.org.np/

34

Pakistan


Project Focus: Rule of Law and Human Rights

Amount Recommended: $ 187,000

Project Title:

Safeguarding the Rights of Transgender and

Intersex Communities in Pakistan


Formation Awareness and Community

Empowerment Society

https://www.facespakistan.com/

Established in 2009, this organization works with

government agencies, community organizations

and the private sector to promote religious

harmony, social justice and gender equality. It has

partnered with or received financial support from,

among others, the European Union, the

Governments of Australia, the Netherlands and

United Kingdom, the Austrian and German

chapters of Caritas Internationalis, UNHCR and

UN Volunteers.


The project proposes to advance the rights of transgender and intersex persons, in-line with directives

from the Supreme Court. It would work directly with transgender and intersex communities in Lahore

and Faisalabad, the country’s second and third-largest cities respectively, to raise awareness of their

rights and how to obtain these. Through training and networking, it would build the capacity of local

civil society organizations to work and advocate on behalf of transgender and intersex persons. The

project also proposes to improve service delivery for these marginalized communities by raising

awareness and building capacity among social-service departments and institutions at the district

level. It further proposes to stimulate dialogue among provincial and national political leaders,

legislators and policymakers, on how to improve existing laws and policies. The project is highly

relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where it will be essential to advance understanding

of the specific impact of the crisis on all genders and marginalized communities, ensuring that

responses uphold their rights and are inclusive of their needs.

https://www.facespakistan.com/

35

Tajikistan


Project Focus: Media Freedom and Information /

Rule of Law and Human rights


Project Title:

Advancing Media Freedom Through Legal

Reform in Tajikistan


PO Association “People’s Assessors of the

Republic of Tajikistan”

Established in 2011, this organization seeks to

advance human rights and civic participation

through analysis and advocacy targeting electoral,

legal and judicial reforms. It has received financial

support from the Government of the United States,

Norwegian Helsinki Committee and Open Society

Institution Assistance Foundation-Tajikistan.


In collaboration with Government and civil society organizations, the project proposes to analyse

existing media regulations and to advocate to strengthen protections to freedom of expression and the

right to information. It would set up a team of lawyers to provide ongoing consultation to media

entities. The project also would educate media workers on the regulations and procedures as these

evolve. This work would build on earlier capacity building efforts involving journalists and young

lawyers. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where the fight against

disinformation and for freedom of information, media literacy and online safety will be crucial.

36

Timor-Leste


Project Focus: Youth Engagement


Project Title:

Increasing Civic Space for Youth in Timor-Leste


Plan International Timor-Leste

https://plan-international.org/timor-leste

Established in 2001, this organization is an affiliate

of Plan International. It has worked primarily in

the areas of youth engagement, women’s

empowerment and civil society capacity building.

It has partnered with or received financial support

from UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, the European

Union and the Swedish International Development

Cooperation Agency.


The project proposes to strengthen youth participation in social affairs and community development,

with a focus on vulnerable communities. Working with women and men aged 18-28, it would build

awareness of and capacity for volunteerism, support the establishment of community youth groups

and link these groups through an umbrella youth activist alliance. This alliance would be supported in

using peer-to-peer training and networking to advocate for young people’s rights and issues. The

project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where it will be essential to advance

understanding of the specific impact of the crisis on young people, ensuring that responses uphold

their rights and are inclusive of their needs.

https://plan-international.org/timor-leste

37

Uzbekistan




Project Title:

Accelerating Women’s Climate-Change Tech

Startups in Uzbekistan


Tech4Impact

http://www.tech4impact.uz/

Established in 2019, this organization aims to

empower young women to become

entrepreneurial leaders and technological

innovators in the environmental sector. It also

provides instruction in critical thinking and

programming to girls aged 10-18. It has

collaborated with the UN Resident Coordinator’s

office in Uzbekistan. This is among its first

applications for financial support.


The project proposes to use technological and entrepreneurial capacity building to help women

increase their economic participation and standing by establishing businesses and projects to address

climate change issues. Initial training would be complemented by mentoring, networking and other

enterprise-development services to enable women to refine their business models and sustain their

efforts to mitigate or adapt to climate change. It would harness collaboration with local authorities,

universities and financial institutions to ensure the women succeed in breaking out of traditional

sectors like textiles and establish themselves as leaders and employers in the innovative environmental

and tech sectors. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where t it will

be essential to advance understanding of the specific impact of the crisis on women, ensuring that


http://www.tech4impact.uz/

38

EUROPE

Albania



Information


Project Title:

Combatting Hate Speech and Protecting Rights in Albania


Counselling Line for Women and Girls

http://www.hotlinealbania.org/

Founded in 1996, this organization promotes women’s

empowerment and opposes gender-based violence through

legal advocacy, work with media, and capacity building to

monitor public services and the courts. It is a member of the

Albanian Women’s Empowerment Network and works

directly with national and local government institutions. It

has received support from the Governments of Canada, the

Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United States, Care

International, IAMANEH Switzerland, UNDP and UN

Women.


Hate speech by people who use the anonymity offered by the internet is common and is amplified by

media. It often targets women who are public figures and harms not only the targeted individuals but

also human and women’s rights, non-discrimination and privacy. Anti-defamation legislation enacted

in December 2019 aims to combat hate speech and fake news and empowers the national media

regulator, the Albanian Media Authority, to fine domestic and foreign online media outlets that use

hate speech and fake news. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has endorsed the

law while the European Commission and European Federation of Journalists have expressed concerns

about possible freedom-of-information infringements. The project proposes to assess implementation

of the new law, its effect on freedom of speech and information, and its effectiveness in reducing hate

speech in the media. In cooperation with the Albanian Media Authority, it aims to monitor the

regulator’s enforcement actions and to track the consequences through five online news outlets and

five newspapers. In addition, it proposes to train journalists and students of journalism on hate speech,

women’s empowerment, legal frameworks and human rights as a way to help them towards self-

regulation. The project further proposes a campaign to raise awareness of hate speech among the

general public. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where the fight

against disinformation and for freedom of information, media literacy and online safety will be crucial.

http://www.hotlinealbania.org/

39

Belarus


Project Focus: Rule of Law and

Human Rights


Project Title:

Protecting the Rights of Youth in Institutions in Belarus


Charitable Public Association “World Without Borders”

http://www.wwb.by/

This organization was founded in 2000 to provide aid and

services to, and advocate for the rights of, children and young

people confined to institutions, living with disabilities or in

conflict with the law. It lobbies for legislative and regulatory

change, cooperates with Government, and serves on official

public commissions. It has worked with or received support

from UNICEF, the International Catholic Child Bureau and

non-governmental organizations and philanthropies in

Poland and Sweden. In 2016, it received UNDEF support to

develop the entrepreneurial and work skills of young people

with disabilities.


The project aims to boost awareness and increase specialized training on how to protect the rights of

children and young people, to build institutional systems to monitor their situation and to receive and

process allegations of rights violations. Specifically, the project proposes to work with national and

regional officials and experts to develop a protection policy and to implement it in 12 institutions: four

in which adolescents in conflict with the law are held in custody, four for children with disabilities,

and four providing shelter to children with difficult living conditions. It further proposes to train and

support staff in these institutions to implement the policy, and to use direct and peer-to-peer methods

to educate children about their rights. As part of these efforts, the project would introduce mechanisms

to report incidents and verify compliance. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its

aftermath, given the impact on young and marginalized people and the need to ensure that responses

engage them and uphold their rights and needs.

http://www.wwb.by/

40

Bosnia and Herzegovina


Project Focus: Tools for Knowledge


Project Title:

Establishing an Interactive Educational Database on

the War in Bosnia and Herzegovina


Balkan Investigative Reporting Network in Bosnia

and Herzegovina

http://detektor.ba/

Established in 2004, this organization has sought to

advance peace, reconciliation and democratization by

reporting on the war-crimes trials and broader process

of transitional justice that have followed the 1991-1995

armed conflict. An autonomous national chapter of a

network operating in the Balkan region, it has

collaborated with the International Criminal Tribunal

for the Former Yugoslavia and UNDP and has

received funding from the Governments of the

Netherlands and Switzerland and the US National

Endowment for Democracy.


Bosnia and Herzegovina remains divided more than 20 years after the cessation of armed hostilities

and although war-crimes trials have been held, these have been too often seen by the public as isolated

matters of individual culpability or innocence. Sectarian accusations and collective denial about

conduct during the war impede reconciliation and civic discourse grounded in evidence that has

withstood judicial examination. The project proposes to build on existing efforts to present facts as

determined in legal courts rather than to transmit anecdotal evidence that can fan the flames of

resentment and distrust. Drawing on years of experience of reporting on trials and transitional justice,

the project would establish an interactive database that would allow teachers and students to use maps

and other visual tools to set specific cases and instances in historical context. The database would be

supplemented with short documentary films and educational tools to help teachers to engage their

students. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where the fight against


where it will be essential to advance understanding of the specific impact on young people, ensuring

that responses uphold their rights and are inclusive of their needs.

http://detektor.ba/

41

Ukraine


Project Focus: Rule of Law and Human

Rights


Project Title:

Bolstering Citizen Journalism in Ukraine


Human Rights Platform

https://www.ppl.org.ua/

Founded in 2016, this freedom-of-speech organization

provides education and legal services to journalists and

media organizations. It has received funding from the

Governments of the Netherlands and United Sates,

Counterpart International, Freedom House, Internews

Network and Media Legal Defence Initiative. This is its first

UNDEF application.


Citizen journalism has become a driving force of civic participation and social change, especially amid

distrust of a polarized or sensationalist traditional media. Its contribution to an open society is

constrained by a lack of professional skills pertaining to ethics as well as information-gathering. The

project proposes to improve the quality of citizen journalism by training practitioners in ethics,

professional standards, and tools. It would seek to increase the use and presentation of verified

information by training citizen journalists on the availability of and ways to access authoritative and

official data, for example on public finances and budgets. The project further proposes to improve and

expand legal protection for citizen journalists through consultations and strategic litigation. The project

has been designed against the backdrop of a new media law currently in development that would

apply to traditional and citizen journalists. It would seek to help shape the legislation and help citizen

journalists to comply with it. The project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath,



https://www.ppl.org.ua/

42

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARRIBBEAN

Chile




Project Title:

A New Constitution: Historical Opportunity to

Advance Gender Equality and Women’s Rights


Centro Regional de Derechos Humanos y Justicia de

Género

http://www.humanas.cl/

Established in 2004, this organization specializes in

feminist research and advocacy. It has consultative

status with ECOSOC and has partnered with or received

funding from, among others, the European Union, Ford

Foundation, Gender Caucus of the International

Criminal Court, UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of

Torture and UN Women.


The project proposes to contribute feminist perspectives to ongoing civic and political discussions

leading to the drafting of a new Constitution. It would organize meetings of stakeholders in each of the

country’s regions, conduct surveys of women’s needs, views and interests, and facilitate engagement

among women’s community and human rights groups and those involved in the formal process of

writing the Constitution. In addition to influencing the outcome of that process, the project would aim

to have made a lasting contribution to women’s civic and political participation and their capacity to

elaborate and advocate for gender justice and women’s rights. The project is highly relevant in the

Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where it will be essential to address the massive impact of the crisis

on women, ensuring that responses uphold their rights and are inclusive of their needs.

http://www.humanas.cl/

43

Colombia



Information


Project Title:

Enabling Local Information and Media Literacy for a

Better-Informed Society in Colombia


Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa/Press Freedom

Foundation

http://flip.org.co

Established in 1996, this organization promotes the

freedom of expression, access to information, and public

debate on the role of media in democracy. It has

consultative status with the Organization of American

States and has received support from the Governments

of the Netherlands and United States, the Open Society

Foundations, Reporteros sin Fronteras, Sigrid Rausing

Trust, MPTF, IFEX, International Media Support, Media

Legal Defence Initiative, Internews and Peacebuilding

Fund. It was awarded UNDEF grants in 2010 -

“Monitoring freedom of expression and democracy in

Colombia”, 2014 -“Strengthening Democracy through

Freedom of Expression and Peace Agenda for

Journalists in Colombia,” and 2018 - “Building an

Informed Society in Colombia”.



this Round, as normally, UNDEF projects are two years long. The project proposes to increase the

presence of local news in rural areas of Colombia, thus working to increase civic participation, sound

governance and democratic discussion. Building on previous project successes, ‘Journalism Labs’

would be increased from two of the country’s regions, to four. Thus, the project would expand training

programs in media and digital literacy for community leaders and groups, women and young people.

It would also support local content production and communication initiatives in municipalities where

training has occurred, with a view to ensuring that each initiative results in at least one monthly

product containing journalism on local issues and developments. The project further proposes to build

an experimental media and digital literacy program for local schools. The project is highly relevant in

the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where the fight against disinformation and for freedom of

information, media literacy and online safety will be crucial; and where it will be essential to advance

understanding of the specific impact of the crisis on women and young people, ensuring that


http://flip.org.co/

44

Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago


Project Focus: Strengthening Civil

Society Capacity for Interaction with

Government


Project Title:

Advancing Climate Democracy in Guyana, Suriname,

Trinidad and Tobago

Implementing Agency: Regional – Latin America and the

Caribbean

IAMovement

http://www.iamovement.org/

This organization was founded by young people in 2014 to

promote civic education and engagement on climate justice

and socio-economic opportunity and has helped to organize

People’s Climate Marches. It has partnered with or received

support from the Inter-American Development Bank,

UNDP, Global Environment Facility and the embassies of

Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United

Kingdom.


The project proposes to stimulate public awareness and engagement on the negative impacts of climate

change. It would increase knowledge among voters of the importance of engaging politicians on

climate. It would educate them on what local, sustainable solutions are available, and on their socio-

economic benefits. Through online and community organizing, it would use growing public demand

to spur not only policy change but also consumer and business behaviour. The project is highly

relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, in that the crisis offers an opportunity for a teachable

moment about the dangers of inaction and lack of preparedness.

http://www.iamovement.org/

45

Paraguay



Information


Project Title:

Strengthening the Right to Freedom of Expression in

Paraguay Implementing Agency: Local

Instituto de Derecho y Economía Ambiental

http://www.idea.org.py/

Established in 1996 to promote environmental law, this

organization began working on access to information in

2000. It has received funding from UNESCO and GEF as a

project implementing agency or sub-contractor. Other

funders include USAID, World Resources Institute, and US

National Endowment for Democracy. International

affiliations include UNFCCC, IUCN, and the Access

Initiative. In 2018 it began implementing the UNDEF-

supported project “Improving Access to Public Information

in Paraguay”.


The project will work to strengthen the legislative framework to increase the safety of journalists and

to promote free and independent reporting. In this regard the project proposes to advance new

legislation to protect journalists and to repeal criminal and civil regulations that restrict press freedom.

It would provide legal advice to journalists and engage in strategic litigation to further these aims. The

project is highly relevant in the Covid-19 world and its aftermath, where the fight against

disinformation and for freedom of information, media literacy and online safety will be crucial.

http://www.idea.org.py/

short list of project proposals for fourteenth …

Documents