Applications for funding under the 2007 grants programme closed on 30 September 2007.
IHEU & HIVOS
The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is the world union of Humanist, rationalist, secularist and atheist organisations with over 100 member organizations in more than 40 countries. IHEU promotes and defends freedom of conscience and expression, and advocates for the separation of religion and state. IHEU co-ordinates the activities of its member organisations and offers them advice and guidance on policy issues and strategy. It fosters the growth of new humanist groups, and represents humanist interests at the UN, UNESCO, UNICEF and the Council of Europe.
IHEU and its member organisations defend civil liberties, promote more humane and rational attitudes on abortion law, sexual relationships, voluntary euthanasia, capital punishment and other ethical issues. IHEU supports campaigns against blasphemy laws, projects aimed at protection of minorities and ethnic groups, and activities that will achieve the elimination of discrimination based on religion or belief.
HIVOS is the renowned Dutch Humanist funding agency, and a Specialist Member of IHEU, with headquarters in The Hague in the Netherlands, and regional offices in Bangalore, Harare and Costa Rica (www.hivos.nl).
IHEU and HIVOS have been collaborating since 1988 to promote a humanist oriented development, through human rights and humanist networking oriented projects. For this present funding arrangement IHEU, and not HIVOS, should be contacted.
Who can apply for funding?
Organizations (and exceptionally individuals) from countries which are classified as “least developed” or low/low-middle income countries by the United Nations and the World Bank. The full list is available here. Organisations, resident nationals of these countries as well as those residing permanently in these countries are eligible to apply.
Type of projects previously Supported by IHEU:
In 2006, IHEU supported 13 projects. Details are available here.
In the previous phase of funding, IHEU supported humanist projects such as youth training camps for community development, International Seminars, publication of a Spanish language magazine, start-up money for a new Humanist organisation, purchase of communication equipment, construction of a science exhibition hall, superstition eradication programmes and regional humanist networking in countries including China, Ghana, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Peru and Mexico.
Grant criteria
IHEU has published its grant-making criteria available here.
Where travel funding is allocated, the cheapest economy class air fare / Apex air fare / cheapest train travel along with minimum living expenses only will be paid. The purpose of travel must be consistent with the projects that IHEU would normally support under this funding programme
Different humanist groups specialise in different activities, and applicants are encouraged to be creative in developing their proposals which will have an impact on their immediate environment. Project proposals must have a Humanist bias. By Humanist bias, IHEU means (as an illustration only) projects such as those relating to separation of religion and state; inculcation of scientific temper; Support to humanists/atheists subjected to discrimination because of their life-stance, including victims of similar discrimination such as children, women, homosexuals, physicians involved in voluntary euthanasia and abortion etc; social, legal and intellectual defence of the right to self-determination and other human rights.
Our priorities in the developing world are currently to support projects in India and Africa.
Purely humanitarian aid projects are not automatically eligible for funding.
IHEU would ideally like to see a public-relations and media strategy built into the project, so that public awareness of humanist activities, of the world wide humanist movement, and of IHEU as an organisation, will increase. Funding recipients will be expected to acknowledge IHEU’s assistance in their publications, and provide a brief summary / news story therein of the project being implemented.
In 2007, IHEU particularly encourages existing Humanist groups and existing IHEU member organizations to apply for funding.
What levels of funding are available?
Budgets in applications must be made in Euros and also indicate the local currency equivalent. A total of Euros 75,000 or about Pounds Sterling 51,000 is available in 2007 and maximum funding for a single project is Euro 10,000 per grant per year. However, IHEU encourages smaller proposals from new humanist groups.
When approved, funding is guaranteed for only one year at a time. IHEU may increase or decrease the level of funding requested. Renewal of funding will depend on project performance, applicants’ compliance with IHEU’s reporting and performance criteria (which will be strictly monitored), and of course, on other funding applications that IHEU is evaluating in that year. Where appropriate, IHEU will also consult with other Humanist organizations which may also be funding Humanist activities, to ensure there is no overlap in funding allocations.
IHEU may allocate up to Euro 2,500 for travel-related expenses for supporting travel of Humanists from the developing-world.
Application Form
The application form must provide sufficient detail for your proposal to be evaluated without further reference to you.
All proposals must be realistic and clearly state what the long-term aims of the project will be. They must indicate if funding will be required for more than one year, and spell out the steps that will be taken by your organisation to ensure that IHEU’s support to your organisation’s project is made public through your newsletter, websites etc.
Individuals applying for funding should state reasons why their proposal is not routed through a humanist organisation.
If you need help or guidance, please contact IHEU by e mail at 
Additional Information requested with Application Form and project proposal.
Please send:
1). A pamphlet/leaflet/publication/press reports about your organisation, which informs IHEU about the goals and objectives of your group. Your documents must be in, or translated into the working language of the IHEU which is English. A web site link is also acceptable.
2). It is the applicant’s responsibility to check their own eligibility and local legal position for receiving IHEU’s funds. Usually, a Chartered Accountant, an advocate or your local Government Charity Commissioner’s office can give you written advice on this matter. Please include such a certificate where such laws exist in your country.
Project Assessment and Monitoring:
Once funds are allocated, disbursement will take place after IHEU enters into a contract with the recipient organisation. IHEU will monitor the project’s progress closely, and an external evaluation will be conducted in 2008. All fund recipients are expected to fully cooperate with IHEU and HIVOS and their representatives by providing information and ready access to records to enable evaluation of the projects.
Deadlines:
Funding applications for 2007 had to arrive at IHEU’s London office by September 30, 2007. All applicants will be informed about the result of their application by mid-December, 2007. Please do not ask for information about how your application is being processed before these dates. Funds will be transferred from IHEU’s Bank soon thereafter. Successful applicants should allow an average of 3 to 4 weeks for the funds to arrive.
IHEU Contact Details
Please write, fax or email to discuss or send your project proposals.