Tips to apply to the European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR)

The European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR) was established by the European Union in 2014. This instrument is designed to support civil society to become an effective force for political reform and the defense of human rights. The deadline for this opportunity is the 9^th of January 2020 and the amount NGOs can apply for is EUR 700,000 to EUR 5,000,000.

Who can apply for the EIDHR?

The EIDHR is open for applications from NGOs and Civil Society organizations. It is encouraged that NGOs apply in partnership with other organizations with one lead-applicant and different co-applicants. Only NGOs with an annual budget 50% of the minimum are eligible. There is no nationality restriction on this call for applications, but for some lots, the call is restricted for projects in developing countries.

What can be funded with the EIDHR?

The global objective of this call for proposals is to support civil society in the protection and promotion of democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms worldwide.

The European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights has three lots.

• Lot 1: Business and Human Rights
• Lot 2: Fight against torture and other ill-treatment
• Lot 3: Democratic accountability

The funding amount and the activities supported vary depending on the lot, so it is recommended to carefully read the guidelines for the EIDHR to make sure your activities are included in the list of supported activities.

The priorities of lot 1 are:

• Give a voice to, help provide access to remedies, and empower victims of human rights corporate abuses with a specific focus on people living in the most vulnerable situations, women, children, youth, indigenous peoples, human rights and environmental defenders, civil society actors, internally displaced people;
• Broaden already established partnerships or forms of collaboration between business and investment actors, national authorities and civil society actors working on achieving common human rights objectives;
• Integrate a strong gender perspective in the methodology of actions, including gender equality and women’s empowerment. Whenever possible, gender indicators shall be developed for all target groups and data collection shall be gender-disaggregated.

The priority of lot 2 is:

• to foster coalitions and build synergies between civil society organizations and different non-state actors (such as national preventive mechanisms (NPMs), bar associations, etc.), and state actors (such as justice actors, penitentiary authorities, law enforcement officials, etc.) in the county(ies) covered by the proposal.

The priorities of lot 3 are:

• Strengthening parliamentary monitoring organizations (PMOs) in the field of accountability, including  anti-corruption;
• Strengthening organizations that monitor, raise awareness of, and demand strengthening of Ombudsmen or corresponding legislative committees, whistle-blower protection mechanisms, courts of auditors, audit bureaus and/or similar institutions and other oversight bodies;
• Strengthening organizations that review and scrutinize the implementation of public policies and promoting transparency and accountability of budget processes, including:
• Strengthening organizations that promote accountability and/or contribute towards the prevention and fight against corruption, including:
• Promoting the use of new technologies in the oversight of state institutions, by reinforcing the NGO capacities to use digital tools.

The size of a grant that NGOs can apply for depends on the lot. The amounts are as follows:

• Lot 1 – Business and human rights
  EUR 700,000 – EUR 1,500,000
• Lot 2 – Fight against torture and other ill-treatment
  EUR 700,000 – EUR 1,500,000
• Lot 3 – Democratic accountability
  EUR 5,000,000 – EUR 5,000,000

How to apply to the EIDHR?

Organizations applying for the EIDHR need to be registered in PADOR, the registration system the EU uses. Make sure to be registered there in advance, as the process can take a while! In the concept note stage, only the lead applicant needs to register.

In the first stage of the application process, applicants must send a concept note. The concept note should be uploaded through the online system PROSPECT. Check-in advance if you have all the documents necessary to register there!

Make sure to follow all the templates that are given with the guidelines in every detail. The concept note needs to include all important information, as no further annexes are accepted. If you do not follow the guidelines, your concept note might be rejected for formalities.

Do you feel confused by all the details you have to keep in mind when applying for funding from the European Commission?

Check out our online course about How to write a concept note for the European Commission – our experienced fundraiser Erik who has raised millions of Euros from the EC shares his best tips and tricks on how to make your concept note a winner!