THE U.S. EMBASSY DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS FUND (DHRF)

The Democracy and Human Rights Fund provides grants for short-term, high-impact activities that support the growth of democratic institutions, political pluralism and the protection and advocacy of human rights. Some of the common themes that proposals may cover include, but are not limited to, the following:

 Human rights: human rights NGO start-ups; creative projects to improve the respect of human rights; torture victim rehabilitation.

 Legal: publication, translation and dissemination of the Constitution and other laws; legal education; bar and legal association start-ups; legal aid projects.

 Judicial: improving the Judiciary’s efficiency; training court officials (including local or traditional officials) on the rule of law or the role of the judicial branch in a democracy.

 Legislative: improving the Legislature’s efficiency; training Members of Parliament.

Civic Education: public education for journalists on the role of an independent media in a democracy; support to journalist association start-ups; public awareness campaigns on voting rights or the social costs of public corruption.

 Women’s Rights: counseling and legal support for the prevention of violence against women; empowerment of women (non-economic); women-led NGO start-ups; increased access of women and ethnic groups to the judicial system and to political processes.

 Electoral: very limited assistance to independent electoral commissions and assistance to local NGO election monitoring groups.

 Conflict Resolution: activities which promote tolerance and understanding between sectors of society, such as ethnic or religious groups or political factions; civic education on rights and responsibilities under a democratic system.

LIMITATIONS OF THE DHRF FUND

The maximum grant per project is M 60,000, and a project must be completed within 12 months.

U.S. Congressional legislative restrictions on the use of DHRF funds include: use of funds to influence the outcome of elections; training or financial support for police, prisons, or other law enforcement forces, military, or internal intelligence; funding Executive Branch activities, except in the case of recognized independent National Electoral and/or Human Rights Commissions.

USAID policy restrictions on the use of DHRF funds include: building construction; vehicle purchase; recurring administrative costs; travel outside the immediate region; conferences that lack specific and clearly articulated goals; labor unions (unless human rights related); support for refugees (unless human rights related); activities that do not directly encourage or promote increased adherence to civil and political rights.

WHEN TO APPLY

This year, the application period for grants is open from October 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009.

Awards will be made in October 2009.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE DHRF FUND

To receive more information and a sample proposal format for the DHRF Fund, write to or visit:

The Special Projects Coordinator

American Embassy

P.O. Box 333

Maseru 100

Lesotho

American Embassy, P.O. Box 333, Maseru 100 Telephone: (266) 2231-2666, Fax: (2660 2231-0116