Open Society Foundations’ Human Rights Data Initiative

The Open Society Foundations’ Human Rights Data Initiative (HRDI) helps human rights organizations improve their capacity to make the data they collect searchable and reusable, and to capture data in such a way that it can be cross–referenced, integrated with new analytical tools, and disseminated through a host of new distribution platforms.

HRDI is currently conducting research on topics that cut across the fields of human rights and transparency/accountability, where new uses of data can be a game–changer. HRDI has chosen to begin this initiative on the theme of eminent domain and other methods of state expropriation of property and housing through evictions and housing allocation decisions. As this is an area where human rights intersect with an issue of intense civic interest, the project will investigate how these expropriations affect a range of rights, and explore ways in which civil society organizations can use data to challenge government abuses of eminent domain.

As HRDI aims to support the development of global expertise in this field, “game–changing data” will be a defining longer–term theme for HRDI. As the project unfolds, we expect not only to learn more about the abuse of eminent domain and urban planning, but also to learn:

•        what kind of data it takes to reach a new audience with human rights advocacy

•        what data can create new momentum in an existing field

•        when data design for advocacy has an impact, and when it is merely cosmetic

HRDI has a full program of work for 2013. It is always open to applications for projects from new partners whose purpose and priorities match their own, however it cannot guarantee to fund your project. It endeavors to respond to  applications for funds which meet the criteria specified within two months.

The deadline to submit concept notes is ongoing.

For more information, visit this link.

CDKN’s Negotiation Support Innovation Challenge to fund innovative projects

The Climate & Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) is organizing the Negotiation Support Innovation Challenge to fund innovative projects that support developing country negotiators to be more influential in international climate change negotiations. It welcomes applications for different types of projects including:

• New Initiatives
• Project scale-ups
• New editions to existing initiatives

In order to qualify, projects must have evidence of demand from poor and most climate vulnerable developing country negotiators and must meet one or more of the CDKN Advocacy Fund outcomes below:

• Changes in the ways that the poorest and most vulnerable countries influence global climate change negotiations
• Changes in the capacity of the poorest and most vulnerable countries to contribute to climate change negotiations
• Changes in the coordination, collaboration and mobilisation of the poorest and most vulnerable countries in negotiations
• Changes in the quality and relevance of knowledge and skills to support the poorest and most vulnerable country negotiators
• Changes in the ability of the poorest and most vulnerable countries to leverage and channel climate change related resources strategically

Multiple awards will be made for projects of £50,000 or more. Projects should last between 3 and 6 months and be able to start in mid to late January 2013.

The deadline for completed application packs is 23:59 (GMT) on 6th January 2013. For more information, visit this link.

United Nations Trust Fund Call for Proposals 2012: Ending Violence against Women

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women is accepting applications for its 17th grant cycle (2012) from government authorities at the national and local levels, civil society organizations and networks — including non-governmental, women’s and community-based organizations and coalitions and operational research institutions — and UN Country Teams in partnership with governments and civil society organizations. 

The 2012 UN Trust Fund Call invites proposals in the following areas of action:

i.              Closing the Gap on the Implementation of National and Local Laws, Policies and Action Plans that Address Violence against Women

ii.             Addressing Violence against Adolescent and Young Girls

Applicants are invited to submit grant proposals for a minimum of US$100,000 up to a maximum of US$1 million for a period of two to three years. The complete Call for Proposals detailing criteria, eligibility requirements and application guidelines is available at: http://grants.unwomen.org/. All applications must be submitted online.  The application deadline is 21 January 2013.

Nestlé Prize: Funding Opportunity for Projects on Water, Nutrition or Rural Development

The Nestlé company’s ‘Nestlé Prize 2013′ is seeking projects in the areas of Water, Nutrition or Rural Development implemented in low and middle income countries. The Nestlé Prize is organized once in every two years and it provides a funding of up to CHF 500 000 (approx. USD 530 000) to scale up or replicate his initiative

The Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value is for any public or private organization (e.g. not-for-profit organizations, governmental and inter-governmental organizations, private businesses, academic institutions, etc.) or individuals having reached the legal age of majority.

Water, Nutrition or Rural Development projects that have proven their worth on a pilot or small-scale basis; are judged to be feasible on a broad-scale basis or replicable in other settings or communities; have high promise of having a social impact, through either improving access to nutrition, improving rural development, or having a significant impact on water management or access to clean water and have built on a sound and viable business model can be nominated under this Prize.

The Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value is international in scope. Entities may reside in any country in the world.  The Entry may, however, only cover projects implemented in low and middle income countries.

Nestlé will commit to the Prize Laureate an investment of up to CHF 500,000 for a specified period of time to assist in the scaling up of the awarded project.  The Creating Shared Value Advisory Board may decide to award the Prize to more than one, but a maximum of three, Laureates. The value of each Nestlé Prize for each Laureate would then depend on its various merits and needs and defined at the sole discretion of the Creating Shared Value Advisory Board, but a minimum of CHF 50,000 per Laureate. The total value for all Laureates will not exceed CHF 500,000.

The deadline to submit nominations is 31 March 2013. For more information, visit this link.