Costa Rica: human rights projects with a focus on the prevention of modern slavery and human trafficking
The British Embassy in San Jose is accepting project proposals focused on combating modern slavery and human trafficking whilst strengthening human rights protections in Costa Rica for the 2025 to 2026 period.
Scope and eligibility
The British Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, aims to support short-term interventions valued at up to US$95,000 that focus on preventing modern slavery and human trafficking. Proposals should also promote and protect fundamental human rights in Costa Rica.
We welcome proposals from legally constituted non-governmental, non-profit, civil society and multilateral organisations working to combat exploitation and strengthen human rights protections for vulnerable populations.
Thematic areas and objectives
We are looking for projects that deliver real, measurable results in support of the aforementioned priority areas in Costa Rica and are particularly interested in proposals aimed at the following objectives:
- protecting the rights of marginalised groups, including through the prevention of human rights violations
- strengthening of human rights protections for vulnerable groups such as women and girls, indigenous communities and migrants
- providing support to human rights defenders, especially through capacity building
Note that under this programme, we are unable to cover projects where the main focus is on gender and equalities issues like LGBTI+ rights, women’s rights and rights of persons with disabilities. These are funded under different programmes.
Project bid guidance
- projects will be funded for the period running from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026, with no expectation of continued funding beyond this period
- proposals must be submitted in United States Dollars (USD) currency
- maximum project budget limit: $95,000
Assessment criteria
- alignment with the above-mentioned thematic priorities and outcomes
- outcomes are achievable within the funding period (1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026)
- project design includes clear monitoring and evaluation procedures, as well as risk and financial accountability procedures
- evidence of sustainability – demonstrating that project benefits continue after the funding ends
- alignment with the Paris Agreement, demonstrating that a climate and environmental risk and impact evaluation was conducted and no environmental harm will be done
- evidence that gender equality and inclusion of people with disability and protected characteristics have been considered
- evidence that the organisation’s safeguarding policies ensure protection of beneficiaries
- overall value for money
Administration costs should not exceed 10% of the total project budget.
Funding exceptions
We cannot consider proposals from commercial or for-profit organisations.
Additionally, project funding may not be used for:
- communications and marketing activities (including design, branding, website development, advertising, app creation, or video production)
- direct cash transfers or seed capital to beneficiaries
- groceries or household supplies for beneficiaries
- purchase or maintenance of capital or IT equipment
How to apply
- proposals must be submitted in English using the relevant Project Proposal Form and Activity Based Budget templates (provided below)
- all proposals must be received by midnight on 16 September 2025 (Central America time). Late proposals will not be considered.
- proposals must be submitted to Denise.Lewis@fcdo.gov.uk with the subject line “Call for bids: open data project – Organisation name – Project Title” and include a point of contact in the body of the email
- successful bidders will be notified by 19 September 2025
Key dates
- 16 September 2025 (midnight, Central America time): Deadline for receipt of project proposals
- 19 September 2025: Successful implementers informed of bidding round outcome
- 1 October 2025: Project implementation begins
- 31 March 2026: Project implementation ends
- 31 April 2026: Implementer to submit project completion report and financial spend documentation
Additional information and documentation
All implementers must sign a standard FCDO grant agreement or Memorandum of Understanding with the Embassy. The terms of the agreement or MOU are non-negotiable.