UN Democracy Fund Announces Grants for Democracy Projects

From the Communication Initiative website at http://www.comminit.com/en/node/282046/348 and referenced in the August 9 Drum Beat newsletter:

"The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) is calling for proposals from civil society organisations (CSOs) to apply for funding aimed at promoting democracy.

This round of funding is being launched by UNDEF, which was established by the UN Secretary-General in 2005 as a United Nations General Trust Fund. UNDEF funds projects that build and strengthen democratic institutions, promote human rights, and ensure the participation of all groups in democratic processes.

As with previous UNDEF rounds, the thematic categories for applications are:

• democratic dialogue and support for constitutional processes;
• civil society empowerment, including the empowerment of women;
• civic education and voter registration;
• citizens' access to information;
• participation rights and the rule of law in support of civil society;
• transparency and integrity.

Priority will be given to projects that enhance inclusiveness and gender equality. Only online applications in either English or French will be accepted. For the previous round of funding, fewer than 70 project proposals were selected out of more than 2,100 received. UNDEF funding ranges from US$50,000 to US$500,000, with most projects in the mid-range. It is anticipated that the vast majority of applicants and short-listed project proposals will emanate from local CSOs."

The due date for proposals is December 31, 2010.

Grant Funding Available for Youth Engagement

Special thanks to Brad Lewis for passing this notice on:

The Learn and Serve America Youth Engagement Zone (YEZ) program was newly authorized by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. YEZ is designed to improve student engagement, including student attendance and behavior, and student achievement, graduation rates and college-going rates by:

1. Engaging youth as positive contributors through service-learning to demonstrate the relevance of academic coursework and the value of civic engagement to their educational and personal development; and    
2. Connecting with citizens from diverse communities, backgrounds and perspectives to provide expanded opportunities to serve; and
3. Building enduring capacity within communities to become more effective at using service as a solution to address pressing challenges.

These grants will provide support for “eligible partnerships” to build on existing resources to develop coordinated school-based or community-based service-learning opportunities for secondary school students. All partnerships must include, at a minimum, at least one LEA, one community college, and one community-based entity.

Funding Available

In Fiscal Year 2010, there is approximately $5.4 million available for this program. The Corporation anticipates making an estimated 4 to 12 grant awards that will range from approximately $300,000 to $450,000 per year for up to three years. Funding beyond the first year for each grant award will be subject to the availability of future appropriations. We anticipate announcing the results of this competition in mid September 2010.

Deadline

Applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on June 15, 2010. Applications must arrive at the Corporation by the deadline in order to be considered.

In terms of technology, please also note the following allowable activity:

Supporting the use of the most compelling, freely-available technology for children and youth. This may include use of the most innovative approaches to service and learning through social networks, games and mobile devices.

(Source: http://www.learnandserve.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa_detail.asp?tbl_nofa_id=82)