EC fifth call for proposals on HR, democratization
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—The Delegation of the European Commission to Pakistan is launching its fifth call for proposals under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) Micro-Projects Programme.
The total budget for the programme is Euro 535,000. Since 2003, the European Commission has awarded grants to 25 local NGOs for a total amount of over Euro 1.6 million under this programme.
Previous projects have focused on the eradication of violence against women, women’s access to justice and political empowerment, as well as democratization in Pakistan, says a press release of the EU issued here today. The results of the previous calls have been very encouraging with noticeable and promising changes emerging at the gross roots level.
Amongst the positive developments, the European Commission wishes to highlight observed changes in people’s mindset regarding women’s rights and their role in society, improved cooperation between public authorities and civil society in the targeted areas, mobilization of the communities on sensitive issues, and direct assistance provided to a number of victims of violence.
The cooperation with the European Commission under this programme has also contributed to strengthening the capacity of the implementing NGOs, thereby consolidating the quality of their interventions and accountability, both towards donors and beneficiaries of the projects. The current call for proposals invites applicants to respond to a set of priorities under two different lots: Lot-1— Fostering a Culture of Human Rights, and Lot-2: Advancing Equality, Tolerance and Peace.
The lots include priorities such as promoting rights of vulnerable groups, minorities and indigenous peoples and the elimination of torture. Bringing equal rights to all citizens will contribute to the strengthening of a harmonious society ready to endorse economic and democratic development. In order to encourage organisations to apply for this call, the Delegation of the European Commission will hold training sessions for preparing the proposals.
These sessions will be held in the major cities and are open to allpotential applicants.
For details on the sessions, as well as fail details on the procedures that will apply for this call for proposals and more information about the programmes, consult the website of the Delegation of the European Commission.