Azerbaijan: Human Rights and Democracy Programme
The Human Rights and Democracy Programme is looking for project concepts for 2015-16 funding. Closing date is 8 December, 2014.
The Human Rights and Democracy Programme (HRDP) is the FCO’s dedicated annual fund supporting human rights and democracy work overseas. Through targeted projects, it aims to lift the capacity of governments and civil society to promote and protect human rights: Human rights, democracy and the rule of law are at the heart of the Government’s foreign policy. The HRDP targets areas that are both important to us and where we consider we can make the greatest impact in delivering the FCO’s overarching purpose to “pursue an active and activist foreign policy, working with other countries and strengthening the rules-based international system in support of our values”.
2015-16 programme
We are pleased to announce the call for bids for projects for the financial year 2015-16. The target thematic areas for 2015/16 are:
- freedom of expression
- freedom of religion or belief
- democratic processes
- business and human rights
- global torture prevention
- preventing sexual violence in conflict
- promoting women’s rights
How to apply
- Read the strategy carefully and ensure that any proposals you are considering are a good fit.
- Use the template provided below to submit a Project Concept Note by Monday, 8 December, of no more than three pages in length.
- For single-country proposals, send to the British Embassy in Azerbaijan at Baku.Projectbids@fco.gov.uk
- For multi-country proposals, send to the relevant thematic Human Rights and Democracy Department (HRDD) desk officer in London (see detailed guidance for implementers for contact details). It is also a good idea to discuss your project proposal in advance with the relevant British Embassy desk officer.
- Successful implementers will be invited to submit a full proposal by mid January 2015. The British Embassy will advise you on which proposal form to complete depending on the value of the project. The deadline for submission of the full project proposals is 15 January 2015.
- It is our aim to inform all applicants of the final outcome of their bid by the end of March 2015, and for projects to commence in April 2015.
Selection criteria
Project proposals must clearly demonstrate how they will support the FCO’s strategy in at least one of the eight thematic priorities of the Human Rights and Democracy Programme, and must also align with the human rights priorities for that country.
Bids will be assessed against the following criteria:
- value for money
- alignment with HRDP Strategy and FCO’s Foreign Policy Priorities and Embassy Post objectives
- evidence of local demand or need
- project viability, including capacity of implementing organization(s)
- project design, including clear, achievable impact
- risk and stakeholder management
- sustainability
Key documents
Bidding Process
Applicants are invited to submit a short concept bid using the following template: .
Please email to Baku.ProjectBids@fco.gov.uk bids indicating the title of the project in the subject field. The closing date for bids is 6 pm (local time) Monday, 8 December, 2014.
Should you have any questions, please email the Embassy at Baku.ProjectBids@fco.gov.uk
Priority Countries
The majority of funding will be allocated to Priority countries; however we do accept bids from countries not on this list. Project proposals from non-priority countries should ensure they clearly set out why there is an issue in the particular country in the relevant section on the project proposal form. Please note that Azerbaijan is not in the list of Priority countries.
Projects
Projects should begin in April 2015 and must be completed by end February 2016. We will fund projects up to a value of £200,000. Projects in excess of that amount may be considered exceptionally.
Please note that payments for successful projects will be made between 1 to 3 months in arrears.