Project Stream: Open grants call

Building civil society organisations’ capacity to advocate for Right to Information

Issue

Right to information (RTI) is a key tool for guaranteeing a number of human rights, particularly economic and social rights. Building the Kenyan government’s capacity to share information, and improving civil society’s understanding of and ability to use the Access To Information (ATI) Act in the public interest is recognised as a necessity.

Project

In partnership with Katiba Institute (KI), Kenya, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), India, will support civil society and government in the implementation of the ATI Act in Kenya.

The project is working with civil society organisations to raise awareness of right to information, emphasising the value of accessing information held by public authorities. It is also supporting Kenyan government officials in developing an RTI implementation plan.

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative is facilitating an exchange between Indian civil society, government representatives and their Kenyan counterparts. This exercise in South-to South collaboration will utilise India’s experience, in implementing a similar law since 2005.

Endorsed project title: Building civil society organisations’ capacity to advocate for Right to Information

Photo: Flickr CC dilettantiquity

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, India works to promote the practical realisation of human rights in Commonwealth countries focuses on building and reforming systems of governance, essential for the protection and promotion of human rights. CHRI played the lead role in successfully advocating for the adoption of RTI laws in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Cayman Islands, Guyana, the Maldives, Malta, Pakistan and Sri Lanka www.humanrightsinitiative.org

Katiba Institute

Katiba Institute (KI), Kenya, established in 2011, is a constitutional research, policy and litigation institute focused on the implementation of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution and the development of a culture of constitutionalism in Kenya. KI has experience of working with CHRI to advocate for the adoption of a strong right to information law in Kenya. www.katibainstitute.org

Enhancing accountability for cash transfer programmes

Issue

The progressive social protection programme of the Kenyan Government aims to address poverty, health risks and vulnerability through direct cash transfer in order to help sustain livelihoods and build human capital. The programme directly targets orphans and vulnerable children, older persons and persons with severe disabilities. Recent social audit findings suggest there are gaps in certain regions in the cash transfer programmes’ design and delivery.

Project

The Africa Platform for Social Protection is ensuring that beneficiaries of Kenya’s social protection policy are involved in the design and delivery of the national cash transfer programmes. Working in Kenya’s Busia, Kilifi and Kajiado counties, the project is firstly increasing community awareness of this social protection policy and its benefits. It is also supporting government officers and other stakeholders to use social auditing effectively, in order to assess the implementation and design of the cash transfer programme in their region. By facilitating discussions between local communities and the regulatory bodies involved in implementing the programme, the project is increasing participation of beneficiaries in the development and deployment of the programme.

The project is contributing to an improved understanding among communities with regard to their roles, responsibilities and entitlements in cash transfer programmes, while also enabling effective implementation of the programme.

Endorsed project title: Enhancing accountability in the management of cash transfer programmes in Kenya

Photo: Flickr CC Michał Huniewicz Mombasa kids

Africa Platform for Social Protection

Africa Platform for Social Protection was established in 2010 to develop and implement innovative Social Protection strategies and programmes that make a difference in people’s lives in Africa. Africa Platform for Social Protection is a member of Kenya’s National Social Protection Steering Committee that brings together Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Health, Social Development, Finance and Devolution and the Civil Society. The committee reviews progress on the implementation of social protection programmes and makes recommendation to government. Africa Platform for Social Protection has experience of participating in social accountability projects in Ghana, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.www.africapsp.org

Promoting education for all in Quetta

Issue

Pakistan is a pluralistic society with myriad of religious and ethno-linguistic identities. While freedom of religion is constitutionally protected, discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities is an ongoing challenge. Government initiatives have attempted to address this, however more focused attention on remote communities and young people is needed.

Project

Minority Rights Group International (MRGI), Human Friends Organisation (HFO) and Strengthening Rights and Equality by Empowering Teams (STREET) will together work with young people in schools to promote cultural respect and understanding. This project is promoting inclusive practises in communities and schools in Quetta, through the use of storytelling and theatre. Actor-activists are using story-telling and theatre to lead discussions on inclusive practices in schools through performance, guiding young people as they develop their own creative outputs on diversity and tolerance. The project is also supporting teachers to challenge discrimination in schools. In order to reach the wider community, performances will take place at festivals, focusing on the need for inclusive societies and the adverse impacts of discrimination

The project is also facilitating communication with local and national governments on the regional need for policy and practises that are more inclusive of minorities.

By the end of the project, it is hoped a generation of young people will have a better understanding of the importance of inclusion and be champions of these practices in the wider community.

Endorsed project title: Promoting education for all in Quetta, Pakistan

Photo: Flickr CC DFID Girls in school in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Minority Rights Group International (MRGI), UK

Minority Rights Group International campaigns worldwide with around 130 partners in over 60 countries to ensure that disadvantaged minorities and indigenous peoples, often the poorest of the poor, can make their voices heard. Through training and education, legal cases, publications and the media and cultural programmes they support minority and indigenous people as they strive to maintain their rights – to the land they live on, the languages they speak, to equal opportunities in education and employment, and to full participation in public life.www.minorityrights.org

Strengthening Rights and Equality by Empowering Teams (STREET), Pakistan

Strengthening Rights and Equality by Empowering Teams is a group of professional psychologists, anthropologists, researchers, community mobilizers, social workers, teachers, doctors, volunteers and supporters trained rights based approaches, gender, street children issues, reproductive health/HIV/AIDS, project management and sustainable human development trained by different national and international agencies with expertise in Interactive Theatre Training & Performances.www.streetpk.org

Human Friends Organisation (HFO), Pakistan

Human Friends Organisation have partnered with MRGI to protect freedom of religion and challenge religious discrimination in Pakistan, implementing training activities for activists and community members, developing national level networks/dialogue spaces to build cross-religious support for religious freedom, conducting media and awareness-raising work, and local and national advocacy.www.hfopk.org

Preventing child marriage, retaining girls in school and developing gender awareness

Issue

Although child marriage in India is declining, more needs to be done to end it. It is recognised that strategies must have a broad appeal. Jana Sanskrit is working with communities in Purulia district of West Bengal using interactive, theatre-based approach known as forum theatre.

Project

Jana Sanskriti – Centre for Theatre of the Oppressed – aims to sensitise students, teachers, parents and the communities in the region to reduce underage marriage, and improve the retention of girls in school. Jana Sanskriti is helping communities improve their understanding of the law and use the available government support systems. The project is establishing women’s and community groups to support affected families on a case by case basis. They are sharing the messages on the injustices of child marriage and the importance of girls’ education via local media outlets to increase awareness.

It is expected that the project will create better informed and supported communities able to appreciate and support girls’ aspirations, leading to an improved retention of girls in schools. It is also anticipated that the project will build closer links between communities, teachers, government officials and the police, enabling them to work together to enforce the laws on the rights of young women in marriage and education, which will result in a subsequent reduction in child marriage.

Endorsed project title: Preventing child marriage in Purulia, India

Photo: Flickr CC Eduardo Sciammarella Pushkar

Jana Sanskriti Centre for Theatre of the Oppressed

Jana Sanskriti is a voluntary organization reaching more than 200,000 spectators each year through the performances of 30 satellite theatre teams in rural West Bengal, India. Using the forum of theatre in rural communities the organisation addresses issues such as awareness and policy advocacy for domestic violence, education, child marriage, child trafficking, illicit liquor brewing and selling, agricultural practices, implementation of rights.www.janasanskriti.org

Promoting effective implementation of the right to information act

Issue

Promoting civic-state engagement is essential to support effective implementation of the Right to Information Act in Sri Lanka.

Project

Transparency International Sri Lanka is increasing public awareness on the use and applicability of Right to information (RTI) and facilitating discussions between civil society and the regulatory bodies around RTI issues.

Working at both a regional and national level, Transparency International Sri Lanka is building the capacity of civil society organizations to use the recently passed Right to Information Act.

The project is forming thematic coalitions of civil society organisations (CSOs) on issues related to Health, Education, Transport, Water and Sanitation, and Public Administration, based in Colombo, Matara, Ampara, Trincomalee and Jaffna districtsacross Sri Lanka. These networks are presenting issues and solutions that surround the implementation of the act in special consultations with relevant ministries.

Transparency International Sri Lanka are is also raising awareness of the Act and public understanding of RTI pleas among small communities, using print and other media campaigns. In addition, the project is supporting RTI officers to ensure they are equipped to respond to demand.

The project is working to effectively secure civil society’s role as a ‘knowledge center’ on RTI, to ensure that citizens across the 5 districts can benefit from this legislature.

Endorsed project title: Promoting civic-state engagement to support effective implementation of the Right to Information Act in Sri Lanka

Transparency International, Sri Lanka

TISL is a national chapter of the global movement against corruption, and is committed to the promotion of good governance and eradication of corruption in Sri Lanka. TISL is the only organization exclusively working on anti-corruption, integrity and transparency related issues in Sri Lanka. Through a multi-sectoral approach, TISL engages with diverse stakeholders in the private and public sectors as well as the citizenry. www.tisrilanka.org

Improving the environment and the livelihoods of waste pickers

Issue

The 2012 National Waste Information Baseline Report from the Department of Environmental Affairs in South Africa found that in 2011 approximately 108 million tonnes of waste was generated, 90% of which ended up in landfills. On these sites, and in inner-city streets, informal waste pickers are collecting and recycling what others have thrown away, a service for which they are not paid.

Project

Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) will support waste pickers and their organisations in Johannesburg, Sasolburg, and Pretoria, South Africa, to effectively participate in decision-making in order to secure better working conditions and improved livelihoods. The research in many cities suggests that the formal inclusion of waste pickers in municipal waste management contributes to higher recycling rates, increased efficiency and cost effectiveness, as well as significant environmental benefits. Despite these contributions, waste pickers in the project locations struggle for formal recognition and inclusion in solid waste management plans, and for decent working conditions and fair compensation.

Through this project WIEGO will support the organising efforts of local waste picker organisations, to ensure the official inclusion of waste pickers in municipal waste management policies and systems, and to secure better working conditions and more secure livelihoods. This will be achieved through training, awareness-raising (both for waste pickers and decision makers), and facilitated negotiations and liaison with key officials and allies. Further, waste picker organisations will be strengthened within the context of vibrant regional, national, and international networks.

Endorsed project title: Improving the environment and livelihoods of waste pickers in South Africa

Women in Informal Employment Globalizing and Organising

WIEGO is a global action-research-policy network that seeks to improve the status of the working poor, especially women, in the informal economy, through increased organization and representation; improved statistics and research; more inclusive policy processes; and more equitable trade, labour, urban planning, and social protection policies. Alongside informal workers, WIEGO uses its credible, grounded knowledge of the informal economy to leverage supportive policies, services, and resources for the working poor.www.wiego.org

Developing the capacity of disabled people’s organisations

Issue

The World Health Organisation’s 2011 World Report on Disability says that 15 per cent of the world’s population live with some form of disability. 24 million live in Bangladesh alone, often in rural areas.

Project

Turning Point intends to develop the advocating capacity of Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) and persons with disabilities in rural areas, approximately 50% of whom are women with disabilities. By improving their organisational systems, DPOs are better able to identify and articulate their concerns which can then be included in the implementation of national and international laws designed to protect disabled people. The project is also establishing links between DPOs and government to secure equal opportunities and inclusion in national legislature on disability rights.

Turning Point is also helping DPOs overall understanding of international regulations, human rights protections, and other existing laws.

Endorsed project title: Developing the capacity of persons with disabilities and Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) to advocate for their rights

Turning Point Foundation

Turning Point Foundation was established in 2010 to focus on disability issues and the disabled people’s organisation movement. Turning Point Foundation which is run by persons with disabilities continues to work for the inclusion of persons living with disabilities in the decision making processes on issues that affect them and on establishing their rights. The organisation has good working relationships with the registered and unregistered DPOs and the all disability networks in Bangladesh.

www.turningpoint.bd

Strengthening statutory regulation for civil society organisations

Issue

The regulatory framework for Nigerian civil society organisations (CSOs) is derived from a series of laws which cover registration, supervision and regulation of CSOs activities. These laws need to be amended to reflect the realities of the CSO sector in Nigeria.

Project

The Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO) is engaging with government on the need to revise legislation and work with CSOs to improve compliance. The project is holding consultations with civil society organisations to develop recommendations for a law that directly supports the effectiveness of CSOs in Nigeria The project will be undertaken in close collaboration with regulatory bodies, in order to review the current legislation and present draft amendments for discussion. NNNGO is also promoting understanding of the regulatory requirements among CSOs.

It is hoped that by the end of the project, revised legislation that improves the operating environment for civil society organisations and promotes effectiveness and accountability would have been adopted.

Endorsed project title: Strengthening statutory regulation for civil society organisations in Nigeria

Photo: Mark Fischer, Abuja Street Portrait, Flickr CC

Nigeria Network of NGOs

Nigeria Network for NGOs is the first generic membership body umbrella membership body for civil society organisations in Nigeria. It is comprised of over 2,000 organisations across all the states in Nigeria, ranging from small organisations working at the local level, to larger networks at the national level. Its mission includes protecting the environment within which NGOs operate, coordinating the voice of civil society organisations in Nigeria and facilitating advocacy on issues of sustainable development.

Upholding the rights of women with disabilities

Issue

The discrimination and disadvantages experienced by Women with Disabilities in India have largely gone unaddressed and unacknowledged by ‘gender-neutral’ disability services, legislation and policy. To empower Women with Disabilities (WwDs) to access their rights, the project will support and facilitate a gendered monitoring mechanism, Disability Gender Watch (DGW). This will enable implementation of national and international disability related commitments and compliances.

Project

The project aims to develop a new paradigm of human rights, pushing the frontier of rights for women with disabilities by facilitating direct dialogue between empowered women with disabilities (WwDs) and the Committee on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

With the aid of a Commonwealth Foundation grant, SMRC will train 900 women with disabilities and 200 disabled peoples organisations from the 29 States in India,, teaching them about disability rights, the obligations of government and the advocacy skills to enable them to engage with government.

Endorsed project title: Upholding the rights of women with disabilities in India

Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre

Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre is a Disabled People’s Organization founded in 1985. Its work focuses on advocacy, gender equity, research and development. Current campaigns run by SMRC target Women with Disabilities and Disaster and Disability. Alongside a programme to help monitor and improve State Elections, SMRC also provides rehabilitation services for Spinal Cord Injuries, educating and training health care professionals in rehabilitation techniques. www.smrcorissa.org

Supporting communities to advocate for improved air and water quality

Issue

Many Jamaican communities are adversely affected by poor air and water quality from a variety of sources including open burning, mining, quarrying and other industrial activities. However, community awareness of the negative impacts on health and the environment is typically very low. In addition, data on air and water pollution levels is not made widely available, and Jamaican communities often find it difficult to access this information from state regulatory agencies.

Project

Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is working with a selection of groups from communities experiencing air and water quality issues to form community-led advocacy networks. These networks are engaging with the government’s regulatory agency and other industry stakeholders to advocate for proactive disclosure of air and water quality data and an improved regulatory framework. The project is also conducting and sharing research on existing legal and policy frameworks in Jamaica and across the globe, to increase awareness and strengthen advocacy.

Ultimately, community awareness of the impact of air and water quality on health and the environment is expected to improve, and the communities involved in the project will be better equipped to engage with the issues identified.

The Commonwealth Foundation has awarded a grant of £59,390 over 24 months.

Jamaica Environment Trust

Jamaica Environment Trust is a non-government non-profit membership organisation based in Jamaica. Jamaica Environment Trust’s mission is to protect Jamaica’s natural resources using education, conservation, advocacy and the law, and to influence individual and organisational behaviour and public policy and practice.www.jamentrust.org