Updated: Call for Proposals—Equality and Justice Under the Rule of Law

Please note that the decision notification for proposals has been postponed to the end of August 2009.

The mission of the International Women's Program of the Open Society Institute is to use grantmaking and programmatic efforts to promote and protect the rights of women and girls in priority areas around the globe where the principles of good governance and respect for the rule of law are absent or destroyed because of conflict. The International Women's Program seeks to promote the advancement of women’s rights and gender equality in law and practice, and the empowerment of women to ensure participation in the democratic processes.

Eligible Countries

Asia

• Nepal
• Tajikistan

Middle East and North Africa

• Algeria
• Iraq (including refugees in the region)
• Lebanon
• Occupied Palestinian Territories

Europe

• Bosnia & Herzegovina                                               

Proposals benefiting other countries will NOT be considered at this time. 

Focus

The International Women's Program invites proposals focusing on one or more of the following objectives:

Reducing Discrimination and Violence Against Women

The program seeks to support initiatives that improve the status of women by:

• strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms that focus on women’s rights;
• strengthening civil society’s capacity to hold governments accountable to implement laws;
• increasing women’s capacity to understand and claim rights.

Strengthening Women’s Access to Justice

The program seeks to support initiatives that strengthen judicial response to women and reduce the obstacles to access by ensuring:

• legal aid, counsel, and assistance is available and resourced;
• judges, lawyers and prosecutors understand and apply gender justice;
• transitional justice mechanisms are equitable and inclusive of women.

Increasing Women’s Role as Decision Makers and Leaders*

The program seeks to support initiatives that encourage and increase women’s role as decision makers in a number of arenas including the following:

• peace and reconciliation processes;
• electoral and legislative processes;
• disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; security sector reform; and reconstruction programs.

Grant Support

Organizations can apply for a general support grant or support for a specific project.  "General support" grants are intended for organizations which focus on one or more of the listed objectives.  A general support grant supports unspecified organizational costs.  Such a grant is not awarded for any particular project or purpose.  The review process for this grant type will be exceptionally selective.  "Project support" grants are intended to fund targeted initiatives related to one or more of the listed objectives.

Preference is given to:

• organizations managed and led by women;
• organizations that have a five-year plus track record and demonstrate sustainability;
• organizations that forge partnerships with other civil society groups w orking on similar issues;
• local/indigenous, independent nongovernmental organizations or initiatives that link local and international organizations. 

Grant Amount & Funding Timeframe

Organizations can apply for one to three year grants ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 per year.  Please note, multiyear proposals will require an annual assessment report prior to releasing the subsequent tranche of funds.   

Deadline & Submission

Proposals must be received using the template below in English by email (preferred), fax, or mail on or by March 8, 2009.  Incomplete proposals or proposals received March 9 or later will NOT be considered under any circumstances.

Please email the completed template to women@sorosny.org (please write "February 2009 call, country, and organization name" in the subject line of your email).

If your organization does not have email access, please fax or mail application to:

International Women’s Program
Open Society Institute
400 West 59th Street
New York, NY 10019
USA

Fax: 1-646-557-2601

Please note that the decision notification for proposals has been postponed to the end of August 2009.

* The Open Society Institute cannot provide funding for electoral purposes.

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