BACKGROUND

The SMALL PROJECT AND SUPPORT FUND (SPSF) aims to empower communities to act and participate in their own development through actions that are designed, implemented and owned by the communities themselves. This is a call for applications for funding for activities that provide an immediate response to Human Rights violations (Component 2) through, for example, legal support and/or mobilisation. The activities will have the overall aim of empowering the vulnerable communities through the process and will be focussed on one or more of the following:

The calls seeks to support 8 organisations under component 2, the maximum grant amount is 75.000 ZAR per funded activity under 2021/22 financial year. There are no geographical focus areas. The funded organisation needs to be able to demonstrate experience and capacity in working in the human rights space with proven track record. The maximum period for the implementation of the emergency activities is 1 month.

OBJECTIVES

The grant aims to provide support in response to social services and emergency situations, which will be mainly focused with the protection measures for vulnerable, marginalised and indigent individuals and communities. The response to emergency demands will be through direct financial support, which may include, among others, logistics, food, physical and psychological health care, assistance with engagement of legal advice/services and strengthening safety networks. Applications may be made by non-governmental organizations, groups and collectives.

EXCLUSIONS

Any organisations that:

• Are currently being supported and funded by AIDS Foundation of South Africa (AFSA) will not be eligible to apply for funds from the Ukusekela-SPSF.
• Are already being funded by Bread for the World (BfdW) cannot be supported through the Ukusekela-SPSF.
• Are part of government structures or are in any way linked to government cannot be funded.
• Have an annual budget of more than R1.5m will not be eligible to apply.
• Any project that requires a ‘top up’ to an existing project will not be eligible for funding.
• The grant cannot be used to support any HIV/AIDS related work.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS:

• All sections of the application form provided in the link have been completed in full.
• All required supporting documentation is submitted with the application form.

RESPONSE TO APPLICATIONS:

As this grant component is intended to enable an urgent response to human rights violations, applications will be acknowledged within 48 hours of application being received with the fully completed application form and supporting documentation being provided.

APPLICATION FORM:

Please follow this link in order to be directed to the online application form 

ENQUIRIES

Please submit any queries regarding this call to: snegugu@aids.org.za

DOCUMENTS:

Download the full Call for Applications

Download the Budget Template

Are you a civic space defender interested in the impact of digital technology on your work? If so, we invite eligible civil society colleagues to apply to the Tech Camp for Civic Space Defenders organized by Stanford’s Global Digital Policy Incubator (GDPi) and the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL).
The Tech Camp will take place virtually each Tuesday and Thursday from July 13 to August 5, 2021. At the Tech Camp, 25 participants from OECD-DAC eligible countries will address issues including:

• The effects of artificial intelligence on the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, and expression (“civic space”);
• The growth of digital authoritarianism and its influence beyond state borders;
• Disinformation and threats to free expression online; and
• The rise of digital and biometric surveillance.
• Participants will have the opportunity to interact with leading experts on digital technology as well as civic space defenders around the world.

Program Costs

There is no charge for participation in the Tech Camp. Participants are expected to cover their time and any incidental costs they incur in connection with their Tech Camp participation.
Eligibility
Applicants must live and work in an OECD-DAC eligible country. In addition, they must work on civic space issues for a civil society organization.

Click here to read full call for applications.

SAFCEI, the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute, is a faith-based environmental organisation comprised of people of many faiths who are united in diversity through a common commitment to cherish living earth and to tackle issues of environmental injustice across the Southern and East African region. Through collaboration, networking, research and action, SAFCEI seeks to raise environmental awareness, engage in formulating policy and ethical guidelines and encourage environmental responsibility and action.

1. Invitation: Faith Leaders Training Programme (FLEAT)

SAFCEI is calling on people of faith in Zambia, particularly those in a position of leadership, who want to be actively involved in environmental advocacy within their own community and beyond.  SAFCEI believes that people of faith have a moral imperative to speak against the socio-ecological injustices that face Africa’s peoples and our surrounding environment. In witnessing for the Earth, SAFCEI believes that faith leadership at local level can share our local experiences, network with each other, and learn from each other how best to advocate for the change we want to see. We are coordinating a faith leadership advocacy programme that provides a platform for common action across the region (see https://safcei.org/project/fleat/  for more information about the previous FLEAT.

Please note that this introduction meeting will be held online on the Zoom App on 19-21 May 2021. If selected to be part of this programme, participants have to make sure that they have a secure Wi-Fi/ Data connection. Data will be provided by SAFCEI. The due date for applications is Monday 10 May 2021. Please contact Zainab Adams on zainab@safcei.org.za for more information.

2. Invitation: Faith and Energy Eco-Justice Project

SAFCEI, a multi faith organisation engaged in eco advocacy, is looking for leaders of all faiths who are keen to join a national peer-learning and capacity-building eco-advocacy project.

We have an opportunity to explore practical aspects of faith based Earthkeeping and facilitate behavioural transformation through education, advocacy and engagement.  Over the next 3 years, we will be working with faith leaders from the Western Cape (greater Cape Town area), Northern Cape, The Karoo and Eastern Cape (particularly around Gqeberha), on energy issues which will impact policy at both community and national levels.

Participation is free, and will include both online and in-person meetings approximately 3 times per year. Travel and data costs will be covered. Please complete the attached form and submit to revberry@safcei.org.za by Tuesday 11 May.

Following a public nomination process, we are happy to introduce the new Board of ACT Ubumbano. At its inaugural meeting in Johannesburg and online on 25 March 2021, Dudu Radebe, the Director of CREATE-CBR, was chosen as the Chair. Ashmeer Joseph is the Acting General Secretary of ELCSA and was selected as Deputy Chair. Janet Zhou, the Director of ZIMCODD, completes the Exco as Secretary. Other members are Laurel Oettle (Director of AFRA), Jessie Turton (Lecturer at University of Johannesburg), Barbara Kalima-Phiri (Executive Director of IMAGINE Global Initiative, EI), Roger Domingo (CEO of SPP), and Helga Jansen-Djaugberg (Independent Consultant). Uta Hergenröther from BfdW is an ex-officio member representing the European partners.

The founding Board spent some time handing over the reins to the new Board. They have played a crucial role in recent years of holding ACT Ubumbano throughout the process of becoming a legal being. We will always be grateful for the time commitment and hard work of Sonto Magwaza (ESSET), Moses Cloete (BMF), Ashmeer Joseph (ELCSA), Graham Philpott (CLP), Francesca de Gasparis (SAFCEI), Daniela Gennrich (WWSOSA), Uta Hergenröther (BfdW), Paul Tyler (Ziyo), Miriam Machaya (CA), and Jacqueline Ernerot (formerly of ACT COS).