Background, objectives & country of implementation

• This open call for proposals is part of an EU-funded project called “Strengthening the capacity of county-based and grassroots civil society groups for enhanced governance, accountability and protection of human rights of the people of Kenya – Haki Ni Yetu” implemented by the Finnish KIOS Foundation and two Kenyan civil society organisations, InformAction and CSO Network. This sub-granting scheme is called “Rights, Governance and Accountability Grants” and the scheme is managed by the KIOS Foundation.

The overall objectives to be achieved with the sub-granting support are the following:

• To strengthen the capacities of selected CBOs and grassroots organisations working on defending human rights of people in vulnerable positions and marginalised groups and increasing the accountability of duty bearers.
• To encourage CBOs and grassroots organisations to participate meaningfully in holding local and national authorities accountable to improving the delivery of services related to Economic and Social and Cultural rights and to ensuring the rule of law and human rights.

The expected outcome areas of the supported action are transformative and human rights based, namely:

• Targeted CBOs and grassroots organisations in Kenya have improved capacity to defend human rights at local, national, regional and international levels.
• Rights-holders have increased abilities to claim their rights and participate in civic and political life in their communities for the protection and advancement of human rights.
• Duty bearers are engaged and committed to advancing human rights in the target counties.

Who can apply?

• The primary focus of the call is to support CBOs and other smaller non-profit organisations based outside Nairobi or in informal settlements with a track record of defending and advocating for human rights in the thematic areas of the call.
• Nairobi-based civil society organisations may be considered, provided they are based in the informal settlements of Nairobi; or their mandate and proposed action focus on supporting the grassroots organisations and HRDs at the county level or in informal settlements.
• Grants under this scheme are meant for civil society groups  that have sufficient expertise and developed organisational structures in place and the capacity to manage proposed activities and funding of this scale.

What type of activities may be funded?

This call for grant proposals is guided by key themes. Grant proposals should clearly focus on one or more of the following thematic areas:

• Democracy and the Rule of Law: good governance, promoting the rule of law and state accountability, fight against corruption and increasing access to justice.
• Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination: women’s rights, prevention of gender-based violence (GBV), and promotion of inclusion, tolerance and diversity and Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights.
• Business and Human Rights: environmental and climate justice, corporate accountability.
• Previous experience is required as the selection criteria highlight the applicant’s past engagements working on the above theme(s). Women- and youth-led organisations are particularly encouraged to apply. Also civil society groups led by marginalized groups themselves are encouraged to apply. At least 50 % of the financial support to third parties shall be awarded to these civil society groups.

Eligible applicants and proposals

In order to qualify for a grant, the applicant must be:

• non-profit-making
• a civil society organisation and/or association committed to non-violence and the promotion of human rights and human rights principles
• established in Kenya

The types of civil society organisations or their associations that may be awarded grants in this call:

• Community-based organisations (CBOs) defined as a not-for-profit, non-governmental and non-political organisation as currently registered by, or planning to register, with the Department of Social Services.
• Other CSOs working in the grassroots in the forms of societies, associations, trusts and companies limited by guarantee, registered under the Societies Act, Trust Deed Act and Companies Act may be considered.
• Other grassroot civil society groups not registered or in the process of registering and working at grassroot level or in informal settlements may be considered if they have developed organisational structures in place and they can demonstrate that they have managed this scale of grant in the past/have a fiscal host.