Frequently Asked Questions:
Democracy and Human Rights Fund

What is the Democracy and Human Rights Fund?
The Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) provides financial assistance to small-scale activities in Ethiopia that support democratic institutions, promote political pluralism, and protect and advance human rights.  The DHRF complements other funding mechanisms that support larger, multi-year initiatives as part of the U.S. Government's overall strategy to promote democracy and improved governance.

What kinds of organizations and activities does the DHRF support?
The DHRF supports projects implemented by indigenous Ethiopian NGOs, community- and faith-based organizations, and civic associations that are small, focused, relatively-discreet and short-term (activities that can be completed in one year’s time). Competitive proposals also should be high-impact, meaning that they result either in concrete change (e.g., the publication of a manual by an indigenous NGO that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs adopts as policy regarding the rights of the disabled) or increased awareness (e.g., a media campaign intended to influence legislators on the rights of women and children). 

Common themes addressed by DHRF projects include:

• Human Rights – education, creative projects to improve respect/enforcement, prevention of human trafficking, and protection of victims.
• Legal – legal aid projects, bar and legal association start-ups, translation into local languages and dissemination of the Constitution and other laws.
• Judicial – improved efficiency; training court officials, including local or traditional officials, on the rule of law or the role of the judiciary in a democracy.
• Legislative – training MPs and their staff, improved efficiency.
• Civic Education – seminars, workshops and creative presentations on how democracy works focusing on elections, civic participation and the roles of civil society, independent media and branches of government; support to journalist association start-ups; public awareness campaigns on voting rights.
• Women’s Rights – prevention education on violence against women, including female genital mutilation; counseling and legal support for victims/survivors; empowerment of women (non-economic); women-led NGO start-ups; increased access to the judicial system and political processes.
• Electoral – assistance to local NGO election monitoring groups.
• Conflict Resolution – promotion of tolerance and understanding between ethnic, religious or political groups; publication of civic education material on equality of rights and responsibilities under a democratic system.
  
  

What activities are restricted by the DHRF?
In general, the DHRF does not support on-going, multi-year activities or projects. Funding the institutional development of civil or government bodies is prohibited as well. DHRF funds also cannot be used for building construction, the purchase of vehicles or property or long-term leasing, activities involving the police or military, support of specific political parties and influencing elections, travel outside the immediate region, research projects without a results-oriented component, conferences or workshops that lack a specific goal, and humanitarian assistance or support for refugees (unless human rights-related). Please contact the Small Projects Office should you have questions about your project’s eligibility.

How much are the grants?
The maximum award is 25,000 USD but the average grant is between 18,000 and 20,000 USD. All activities must be completed and all funds expended within one year.

How does an organization apply for DHRF funds?
Contact the Small Projects Office by phone, fax, email or mail to request an application (see link below). Answer each question carefully and fully.  Applicants must explain why the project is needed, what is the plan, what their organization or community will contribute, who is the organizer, and what they want the U.S. Embassy to provide.  Return the completed form to:

Small Projects Office
U.S. Embassy
P.O. Box 1014
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Telephone:  011-517-4779/4850/4366
Fax:  011-124-2431/011-124-2401
Email: Mitchell-ClarkK@state.gov, MandefroDB@state.gov or WoldeTD@state.gov

What is the deadline for applications?
Each year, the DHRF accepts applications until March 31 for projects that will be funded the following U.S. fiscal year, which begins October 1 and ends September 30.  Applicants must be sure to attach pro-forma invoices for all items they are requesting to purchase.

How are the proposals reviewed and recipients selected?
The U.S. Embassy has a formal process for reviewing proposals and selecting recipients.  Because the DHRF has limited resources, only the best projects – those that will benefit people most substantially and have the greatest chance of success – are chosen.

Click here for the DHRF application form. (pdf)

Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Embassy’s Democracy and Human Rights Fund.