Update: Applications for 2006 funding are now closed.
IHEU and its member organization HIVOS announce the IHEU-HIVOS Humanist Networking & Development Programme 2006-2008. Total FUNDS for 2006: Euros 75,000 of which Euros 64,000 are available for distribution. DEADLINE: Application and Signed Faxed Declaration to reach IHEU by November 1, 2006.
IHEU & HIVOS:
The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is the umbrella organisation for over 100 humanist, rationalist, secularist and atheist organisations spread out over 41 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 where it has Consultative Status and at the Council of Europe where it has Participative Status.
IHEU and its member organisations defend civil liberties, promote more humane and rational attitudes on abortion law, sexual relationships, voluntary euthanasia, capital punishment etc. IHEU supports campaigns against blasphemy laws, projects aimed at protection of minorities and ethnic groups, and activities that will achieve the elimination of discrimination against all people 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 & Costa Rica. Details from Internet website 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?:
Organisations (and exceptionally individuals) from countries which fall under the OECD’s and Dutch government’s DAC List (least developed to low and middle income level countries). For example: Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana, Herzegovina, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Seychelles, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia. The list is reviewed every 6 months, click here www.hivos.nl for the most recent list available on the website of the Dutch Foreign Ministry or contact OECD. 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 the previous phase of funding, IHEU supported humanist projects like 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, regional humanist networking etc., in countries like China, Ghana, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Peru and Mexico. IHEU has also offered travel bourses for selected third-world humanists going to IHEU’s World Humanist Congresses. 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 do not automatically become eligible for applying under this funding programme.
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.
As far as funding for the year 2006 is concerned, IHEU particularly encourages existing Humanist groups and existing IHEU affiliates to apply for funding.
All projects will be deemed to start December, 2006 and end December, 2007 with a maximum duration of 12 months.
What levels of funding are available?
Budgets in applications must be made in Pounds Sterling and also indicate local currency equivalent. A total of Euro 75,000 or about Pounds Sterling 51,000 is available in 2006 and maximum funding for a single project is Euro 10,000 per grant per year. However, IHEU encourages smaller proposals from new humanist groups. Those who expect to receive IHEU funding for the first time may apply for grants of around Euro 2,500 to 3,500.
When approved, funding is guaranteed for only one year at a time, and IHEU may increase or decrease the level of funding being 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.
Where appropriate,, IHEU will allocate a maximum of Euro 2500 for travel-related expenses for supporting travel of humanists from the developing-world.
Application Form
The official application Form is four pages which MUST BE ACCOMPANIED by a (maximum three pages) narrative proposal. To download Application Form as a Word document, please use the link at the foot of this page.
Details of projects proposed must be appended to this official application form, and must provide enough detail so that your proposal can 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.
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 will be the applicant’s responsibility to ascertain their own eligibility and 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.
3.) A budget for the complete project showing clearly how the grant funds will be spent.
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 closely the project’s progress, and an external evaluation will be conducted in 2007. All the 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.
As an indicative list, the project assessment and monitoring will look for the following:
1). Accomplishment of the immediate aims of the project, as listed in the application submitted to IHEU.
2). Recognition of and adoption by a wider public of Humanism, as laid down in IHEU Principles
3). Improvement of the knowledge and capacities of the IHEU member organisation implementing the project.
4). The emergence of initiatives and programs cast in the framework of critical thinking and the promotion of Humanism.
5). Expansion of IHEU’s membership and the emergence of individuals supporting IHEU and organised Humanism in the countries where the projects are implemented.
6). Integration of women in policies and activities of the organisation implementing the project.
Deadlines:
Funding applications for 2006 must reach IHEU latest by end of day November 1, 2006. A decision on the application will be taken soon after, and all applicants will be informed about the result of their application by December 15, 2006. Please do not ask for information about how your application is being processed before these dates. Funds will be transferred from IHEU’s Bank by December 21, 2006. Successful applicants should allow an average of 3 to 4 weeks for the funds to arrive. The completed application should be sent as a VIRUS FREE E Mail attachment (Word for Windows).
The duly signed and dated official application form (4 pages) should also be received in IHEU office by fax or Airmail.
Next funding period will be announced on the IHEU-website and e-mail list.
IHEU Contact Details
Please write/fax/email/telephone to discuss/send your project proposals (superscribe envelopes with IHEU-HIVOS funding application).
E Mail:
Mail: IHEU, 1 Gower Street, London WC1E 6HD, United Kingdom