www.icnl.org [email protected]1126 16th Street NW #400 Washington, DC 20036 EXTENDED CALL FOR PROPOSALS Countering Online Violence against Women Human Rights Defenders The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law is announcing a call for proposals to ensure that women human rights defenders 1 can freely operate in online spaces. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to respond to online gender-based violence 2 and smear campaigns against women human rights defenders, including organizations working in defense of women’s rights. ICNL is inviting proposals (1) to raise public awareness about the restricting effect of online gender-based violence on fundamental freedoms and/or (2) to identify collective strategies for developing counter-narratives and mechanisms to protect women human rights defenders against attacks moving forward. Among other topics, we welcome proposals that address these issues in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Successful grant applications may range from $10,000 to $25,000 to applicants from selected countries in the Global South (see full list of eligible countries below). Background In many countries, women human rights defenders - particularly feminist organizations and women’s rights defenders - are being targeted with online smear campaigns and online gender-based violence by state and non-state actors. These attacks threaten to undermine women’s participation in public life and shrink civic space. To address this issue, ICNL will provide assistance to local partners to (a) heighten public awareness at the national/state level on the threats that online gender-based violence poses to civic space and/or (b) advocate for national/state-level policies and practices to protect women rights defenders and feminist organizations in online spaces. 1 The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders defines women human rights defenders as both female human rights defenders, and any other human rights defenders who work in the defense of women’s rights or on gender issues (A/HRC/16/44). In addition, all references to women here include girls and gender non-conforming persons affected by social constructions of women. 2 The International Center for Research on Women defines Online (or Technology-Facilitated) Gender Based Violence to mean an “action by one or more people that harms others based on their sexual or gender identity or by enforcing harmful gender norms. This action is carried out using the internet and/or mobile technology and includes stalking, bullying, sexual harassment, defamation, hate speech and exploitation”.
Countering Online Violence against Women Human Rights Defenders
The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law is announcing a call for proposals to ensure that women human rights defenders1 can freely operate in online spaces. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to respond to online gender-based violence2 and smear campaigns against women human rights defenders, including organizations working in defense of women’s rights. ICNL is inviting proposals (1) to raise public awareness about the restricting effect of online gender-based violence on fundamental freedoms and/or (2) to identify collective strategies for developing counter-narratives and mechanisms to protect women human rights defenders against attacks moving forward. Among other topics, we welcome proposals that address these issues in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Successful grant applications may range from $10,000 to $25,000 to applicants from selected countries in the Global South (see full list of eligible countries below).
Background In many countries, women human rights defenders - particularly feminist organizations and women’s rights defenders - are being targeted with online smear campaigns and online gender-based violence by state and non-state actors. These attacks threaten to undermine women’s participation in public life and shrink civic space. To address this issue, ICNL will provide assistance to local partners to (a) heighten public awareness at the national/state level on the threats that online gender-based violence poses to civic space and/or (b) advocate for national/state-level policies and practices to protect women rights defenders and feminist organizations in online spaces.
1 The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders defines women human rights defenders as both female human rights defenders, and any other human rights defenders who work in the defense of women’s rights or on gender issues (A/HRC/16/44). In addition, all references to women here include girls and gender non-conforming persons affected by social constructions of women. 2 The International Center for Research on Women defines Online (or Technology-Facilitated) Gender Based Violence to mean an “action by one or more people that harms others based on their sexual or gender identity or by enforcing harmful gender norms. This action is carried out using the internet and/or mobile technology and includes stalking, bullying, sexual harassment, defamation, hate speech and exploitation”.
Illustrative Examples • Supporting public awareness campaigns about the threats posed by online
gender-based violence and smear campaigns against women human rightsdefenders and feminist organizations.
• Fostering learning networks to more effectively address online gender-basedviolence and smear campaigns against women human rights defenders andfeminist organizations.
• Fostering collective protection mechanisms and building counter-narratives against online gender-based violence and smear campaigns and practices thatharm women.
• In-country technical assistance to civil society, government officials, and otherpartners to develop protection practices and rapid response mechanisms toonline gender-based violence against women human rights defenders andfeminist organizations.
• Professional development trainings and other activities to enhance theknowledge of in-country legal experts and CSO leaders on international human rights norms and standards regarding the prevention and protection of women human rights defenders and feminist organizations in online spaces.
ICNL is particularly interested in proposals that:
• Include an intersectional analysis of how gender-based violence against women human rights defenders and feminist organizations affect different women,based on their race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity,and other characteristics.
• Specifically address how smear campaigns and online gender-based violencepresents a direct threat to the fundamental freedoms of association, assembly,and/or expression and women’s civic space.
• Proposals that rely on international human rights norms and standards,including the thematic reports of the UN Special Rapporteur on Rights toFreedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, Clement Voule (FoAA in the digital era) and the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Dubravka Šimonović (online violence and violence facilitated by informationand communications technology (ICT) against women and girls), as the basis for advocacy/ or informational training tools for national or sub-national use.
This list is merely illustrative, and we strongly encourage applicants with innovative ideas and approaches not described above to apply.
Application Instructions
To apply for this grant, applicants must submit the following in English or Spanish:
• Application coversheet (see below)
• Proposal (not more than 4 pages – see content requirement below)
• Resume, Curriculum Vitae (CV), or other statement of relevant work historyand education (no more than 3 pages each for up to 3 key personnel)
• Line item budget (not more than 1 page)
• Background information about the applicant organization (e.g. website links or informational materials)
Proposal Instructions In four pages or less, please describe your proposal to develop public awareness initiatives addressing online smear campaigns and online gender-based violence targeting women rights defenders and women’s organizations. The following elements must be addressed in the proposal:
• The initiative concept, including o The specific need for this type of project in your context/locationo Planned activities and materials (e.g., a toolkit, handbook, media
product, website, etc.),o The intended audiences,o The planned dissemination channels,o Potential partners (government or non-government), ando Intended outcomes.
• A timeline for completing the proposed activities
• Expected impact of project activities and how impact will be measured orotherwise determined
• The applicant’s specific experience and expertise related to the activitiescovered in the proposal
Eligibility Requirements This call is open to domestic civil society organizations working on women’s rights issues at the national or sub-national level in one or more of the following countries:
www.icnl.org 4
LAC: Colombia, Brazil, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Mexico.
MENA: Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, Iraq, and Tunisia.
Asia: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.
Europe: Armenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia.
Africa: Nigeria, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
Selection Criteria Applications will be evaluated based on the following factors:
• Compliance with eligibility requirements and application procedures;
• Quality of proposal, including innovation, methodology, feasibility,significance of impact, and likelihood and measurability of success;
• Diversity of selected proposals with weight given especially to linguistic,geographic, and gender diversity;
• Proposed budget and apparent value for cost;
• Demonstrated experience and expertise related to the issues and activitiesproposed; and
• Demonstrated capacity to exercise responsible stewardship of received funds.
Terms of Reference All sub-grant recipients must submit a final report on the use of funds, activities conducted, and outcomes of their projects prior to receiving their final grant disbursements. All sub-grant recipients must complete their projects no later than February 28, 2021.
After completion of projects, ICNL may liaise with grantees to assess the effectiveness of the initiative, and identify lessons learned and potential recommendations for future implementation.
How to Apply Interested applicants can apply by completing the application coversheet and submitting it to ICNL, along with all required documents by email (see instructions below).
Deadline Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until all grant funds are awarded. Applicants should submit their applications no later than June 30, 2020. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
www.icnl.org 5
ABOUT ICNL
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT LAW (ICNL)
ICNL works with governments, civil society organizations, and the international community in more than 100 countries to improve the legal environment for civic space around the world. We believe that when people have the space to come together, positive, lasting change can be made. To achieve this vision, individuals must be able to join together, speak out and take action to make the world a better place. Since 1992, ICNL has worked with our partners at all levels to promote and protect an enabling legal environment for civil society. Our international staff includes experts in all aspects of the laws governing free association, assembly, and expression, spanning from the local to global contexts. We also foster a worldwide network of organizations and individuals with in-depth expertise on a diverse range of issues relevant to civil society. Learn more about our work and browse our research at www.icnl.org.
Application Coversheet Please complete the coversheet and submit it, along with your proposal and other application documents to [email protected]. Please ensure that the subject of your email is “Online Spaces for Women: Sub-grant Application 2020.” 3
Full Name:
Position:
Organization:
Mailing Address Line 1:
Mailing Address Line 2:
Mailing Address Line 3:
Country:
Email Address:
Telephone Number:
Fax Number:
Click on the boxes below to indicate that you have properly completed the application.
☐ I have attached a proposal that is no more than four pages in length.
☐ I have attached the CVs of leading project staff.
☐ I have attached a line-item budget.
☐ I reside and work in one of the eligible countries listed in the Call for Proposals.
3 If your organization has context specific security concerns with submitting applications via email, please contact us to discuss alternative submissions channels.
