Grant available: Advocating for Human and Civil Rights for the LGBT Community

July 21, 2016 /LGBT News/ The U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in Dublin, Ireland in collaboration with the U.S. Consulate in Belfast is seeking proposals from eligible organisations for a program entitled “Advocating for Human and Civil Rights for the LGBT Community” with an aim to implement a U.S. exchange program for current and emerging leaders from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in support of a core tenant of U.S. foreign policy—the protection of universal human rights.

The project is designed primarily for civil society activists and legal experts involved in LGBT advocacy work, as well as developing human and civil rights laws, policies and programs.

This U.S. exchange program will focus on addressing some of the human and civil rights challenges for members of the LGBT community, while also building cross-border relationships and collaborations between participants from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Specifically, it will explore U.S. advocacy efforts, at the local, state, national, and international levels, to support the equality and dignity of the LGBT community.

Participants will examine the legislative framework surrounding LGBT issues and political, societal and judicial perspectives on LGBT rights. The project will also highlight the impact of the increasingly visible, open and active role of the LGBT community in political, economic and cultural life.

Deadline: 19 August 2016 

Program Objectives:

• Examine U.S. and international initiatives to promote and protect the human rights of the LGBT community;
• Discuss social and cultural approaches to gender and sexual orientation identities in a diverse society;
• Examine efforts to protect LGBT youth and explore equal access to educational, economic and healthcare opportunities for citizens with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations;
• Analyze the legislative framework and political perspectives on current and pending efforts to ensure equal human and civil rights in the United States;
• Observe how organizations monitor, influence, and advocate for human and civil rights policy at the local, state, national, and international levels;
• Gain insight into how LGBT rights groups work effectively across regions and across borders.

Funding Information:

• The grants for this call for proposals range between $30,000.00 to $60,000.00.
• Grant project should be completed in one year or less.

Topics:

• The history of the movement
• The contemporary debate on LGBT rights and same sex marriage
• Workplace rights
• The support needs of LGBT youth and families, as well as general social inclusion and diversity in the United States.
• Participants will learn how LGBT advocacy groups counter discrimination and defamation and how they engage religious leaders to create wider social acceptance and understanding.
• Particular emphasis should be placed on challenges regarding access to health care, adoption issues, bullying in schools and workplace diversity.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Eligibility is open to all U.S. non-profit, non-governmental organizations.
• Individuals are not eligible for an award under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
• Organizations may sub-contract with other entities, but only one, non-profit, non-governmental entity can be the prime recipient of the award. When sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal.
• Cost-sharing or matching is not required for this funding opportunity.
• This award does not allow for construction activities or costs.
• U.S. Embassy Dublin grants/cooperative agreements cannot be used to fund religious or partisan political activity; fundraising campaigns; commercial projects; scientific research; projects whose primary aim is the institutional development of the organization, or illegal activities.
• Academics and government officials working in the area of LGBT advocacy may also be considered.
• Participants must be fluent in English.
• Half of the participants will be nominated by the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, while the other half will be nominated by the U.S. Consulate in Belfast.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants can apply via website.

For more information, please visit grants.gov.