Open Call for Proposals: Human Rights Defenders
Street art in Getsemani, Cartagena, Colombia, the deadliest country for human rights defenders in 2024. According to Front Line Defenders, 157 defenders were killed there last year.
The purpose of this call is to protect human rights defenders and strengthen their work.
🔗 Read the call for proposals here (Grants Portal)
Norad is looking for international, regional and Norwegian civil society organisations who protect and strengthen the work of human rights defenders in ODA eligible countries. The call focuses on three outcome areas: 1) ensured protection and emergency support; 2) strengthened systems and institutions; 3) increased mobilisation, visibility and advocacy. Norad will prioritise organisations that have a strong local presence or collaboration with local actors in countries and regions where human rights defenders face significant risks.
All proposals must comply with the OECD/DAC criteria for official development assistance (ODA). The applicant must implement the proposed activities in, or target, a minimum of five ODA eligible countries. A minimum five years of experience within the thematic and geographical areas is required.
The call is competitive, and proposals will undergo a comparative assessment. Norad will seek to ensure a diversity of partners and an appropriate balance across the three outcome areas. Norad aims to enter into a maximum of 20 agreements for a period of up to four years. The indicative total amount of funding available is NOK 600 million for the period 2026-2029.
Other information:
- All proposals must be submitted through Norad’s Grants Portal.
- Read more information about Norad’s human rights defenders’ portfolio
- See also Norad’s Grants Handbook and Guiding Principles for Norad’s support to civil society organisations.
- Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions or contact Norad’s Section for Human Rights and Civil Society at hr-defenders@norad.no for any questions.