1. CSO Informal Session on EIDHR Global Calls for Proposals 2018
European Commission DEVCO B1 - May 24, 2018
Exchange with civil society organizations

2. 9:30 – 10:30 Presentation on the EIDHR Global Call for Proposals 2018
10:30 – 10:45 Break
10:45 – 12:30 Informal Sessions by lots/topics in parallel groups
12:30 – 13:30 Break
13:30 – 15:30 Presentation on the Call for Proposals for the Human Rights Defenders Mechanism

3. General Discussion

4. Essentials on EIDHR
Concrete expression of EU’s commitment to human rights and democracy
Independent from government consent
Main partner: civil society
Two main ways of implementation:
Calls for proposals
Direct awards (e.g. key international organisations, where calls are not possible)
EuropeAid

5. EIDHR Objectives
Objective 1: Support to human rights and human rights defenders in situations where they are most at risk (includes shrinking space)
Objective 2: Support to other EU human rights priorities
Objective 3: Support to democracy
Objective 4: EU election observation
Objective 5: Support to targeted key actors and processes, including international and regional human rights instruments and mechanisms

6. Planned EIDHR Calls for Proposals 2018
Global Call for Proposals:
Objective: To support civil society in protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide.
'Restricted' call in two phases: Concept notes + Full proposals
3 Lots:
Human rights defenders (focus on LGBTI)
Death penalty
Civic activism: leveraging new technologies
Tentative Budget: EUR 22M
Duration: months
Human Rights Defenders Mechanism:
Objective: To support and enable human rights defenders to perform their work and functions in contexts where they are the most vulnerable and threatened.
Tentative Budget: EUR 15M

7. Key features PROSPECT Confidentiality
Complementarity with other instruments, calls, donors, and targeted actions
Eligibility of applicants:
No nationality restrictions (applicants and co-applicants)
Civil society organisations but…
Eligibility of entity without legal personality or a natural person
International organisations not eligible
Eligibility of actions:
Actions must take place outside the EU but…
Co-funding: maximum EU contribution 95%
Lead applicant can act alone or in partnership, minimum one local organisation

8. Overarching and working principles:
Right Based Approach (methodology)
2030 agenda (Sustainable Development Goals)
Gender Equality
Environmental Sustainability
Leave No-one Behind principle: programmes must be inclusive of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, e.g. persons with disabilities, the indigenous peoples, LGBTI community
☛ It will be reflected in the Evaluation Grid (1.1 and 1.4 CN)

9. Concept Note Evaluation Grid

10. Tentative Timing & Process
Publication: August/September 2018
Deadline for Concept Notes: November 2018
Deadline for Full Applications: April 2019
Notification of Award: September 2019
Projects starting: Q4 2019

11. LOT 1: Support to LGBTI human rights defenders
Strong commitment of the EU for the full enjoyment of human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (LGBTI).
EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (action 9 invigorating support to HRD, action 16 non-discrimination)
EU Guidelines to Promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by LGBTI persons and accompanying toolkit.
EU main donor worldwide but many challenges remaining: no safe place for LGBTI persons, lack of shelters, shrinking space, need for new ways of engaging / new allies, lack of structuration of grassroots movements and of support for building capacities of HRDs, need to create networks and alliances, limited focus on transgender and intersex, sub- granting and emergency grants needs, limited litigation/reporting/ monitoring on violations and advocacy…
EuropeAid

12. LOT 2: Supporting the fight against the death penalty
Strong commitment of the EU against the use of death penalty in all circumstances and for all cases.
Action 13 of the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy
EU Guidelines on the Death Penalty (2013 update)
EU largest donor in the area (financial support to CSOs)
International trend towards abolition but still work to be done ( executions and over people on death row in 2017)
Capital punishment for non-violent crimes (drug-related executions), on minors, persons suffering from mental illness, applied in a discriminatory and non-transparent manner, following proceedings not respecting fair trial standards…
EIDHR resources to be targeted to countries where the death penalty is most in use and where there is a high risk of the capital punishment being reintroduced

13. LOT 3: Civic Activism: leveraging digital technologies
Commitment of EU to tech in democratic governance
SDG 16 - New European Consensus on Development
Commission staff working document on Digital4Development
EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression online and offline.
New environment calls for new approach: shrinking space +/- impact technology; evolving ever faster rate; new challenges and opportunities (dis/misinformation; use/misuse of data; surveillance; media control etc); Using tech to (i) support pillars of democratic governance – inclusiveness, participation, transparency, accountability (ii) leverage opportunities, counter threats and resist shrinking space, online and offline (iii) maximise collaboration and networking
EuropeAid

14. HRD Mechanism Call 2018 Strong commitment:
Supporting human rights and their defenders where they are most at risk is a priority for the EU since 2004 and for the EIDHR since 2007.
EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (Action 9 – Invigorating support to Human Rights Defenders, and Action 10 – Addressing threats to civil society space)
EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders adopted in 2004 and revised in 2008.
The EU is the largest donor in the field of human rights defenders support. The situation of human rights and human rights defenders continues to deteriorate worldwide. Significant restrictions on their work and threats to their lives and integrity: restrictive legislation; smear campaigns; abusive administrative and financial procedures; physical and psychological threats, harassment, and attacks; arbitrary arrest, detention and imprisonment; torture and ill treatment; enforced disappearances, and even extrajudicial execution. Need for a mechanism providing multiple types of support to human rights defenders at risk and wide geographical coverage.

15. Questions ?

16. The notes from today's consultation sessions will be published on Europeaid website
You and others will be able to submit comments for an additional 10 days to

17. Informal Sessions by lots/topics:
Lot 1: Human rights defenders (focus on LGBTI) Room 05/A073 (5th floor) Lot 2: Death penalty Room 06/A128 (6th floor) Lot 3: Civic activism: leveraging new technologies Room 02/A73 (2nd floor) Human Rights Defenders Mechanism (afternoon session – 13:30)

18. Thank you