Please note that due to the high numbers of already received applications, we are no longer accepting more proposals for this Sudden Opportunity Grant for now. We are keeping it published as we process through them and will keep you informed if we reopen the call.

We are all witnesses to the recent #EndSARS; #EndPoliceBrutality; #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria etc. campaigns and/or movements. The recently updated Context Analysis for Voice in Nigeria highlights the courage, resilience, and motivation of Nigerian youths to stand up not just against SARS and Police brutality, but also against all forms of bad governance in Nigeria. However, well-thought-out social justice movements today are at risk of criminal actions by the government. In some cases, bank accounts of some members of the movements are frozen and allegations of a link to terrorism are unjustifiably emerging.

Through this Sudden Opportunity grant, Voice in Nigeria is calling on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to undertake a collective action to address these specific threats impacting on marginalised and discriminated groups. It is an opportunity for strategic advocacy, mobilisation of CSOs and/collective action that can lead to change in policies/laws, legal decisions, or a shift in public attitudes and practices to challenge discrimination, promote equal access and opportunities, enhance social well-being, confront injustice and/or encourage social development.

More specifically, Voice in Nigeria through this Call for Proposals is looking to;-

• Ensure that this movement of Nigerian youth, who desire and deserve a better Nigeria, results in sustainable reforms or change in policy and practice in the long run;
• Ensure that genuine members of the movement are protected and those facing criminal charges/investigative procedures are given justice, and the rule of law is applied ;
• Ensure that the democratic demands of the movement are kept alive and promises of the government tracked to ensure its fulfilment;
• Support Nigerian youths to be better organised and coordinated in demanding a better future;
• Mobilise actions that will track human rights violations particularly police brutalities in Nigeria and ensure that appropriate authorities are involved;
• Guard the civic space particularly digital space.

Do you have the expertise, boldness and passion to undertake one or more of the actions listed above, using a non-violent, non-confrontational approach? If your answer is YES, then this Call is for you!

Here are examples of previous and current Voice Sudden Opportunities projects that may inspire your ideas.

This grant is available for up to Euro 200,000 for an intervention that will last between 6 and 12 months.

What are we looking to fund?

Voice believes in the principle of ‘Nothing about us Without Us’ or NOW-Us! and this also guides our work. We are therefore looking to fund projects that are youth-led because the #EndSARS movement started with them, and is for and about them. We are also conscious of the fact that the goal of the ‘true’ movement is something that will benefit all other rightsholders within Voice, including sexual and gender minorities and the following:

• Women facing exploitation, abuse and/or violence,
• People with Disabilities,
• Vulnerable elderly,
• Indigenous People and Ethnic Minorities.

Voice has a strong preference for projects that intend to work with more than one of the above rightsholder groups to address overlapping vulnerabilities. Additionally, Voice values diversity and inclusion. All applicants are expected to be able to interact with and learn from a diverse group of people coming from different backgrounds, orientations, and experiences. Interested applicants must be willing to work in and with a diverse community, which includes representatives from all of the Voice rightsholder groups.

Who do we wish to fund?

Coalitions, networks or consortia with the participation of human rights defenders, private institutions and companies, journalists, bloggers, NGOs and self-interested individuals or intellectuals who identify and agree with the #EndSARS movement, OR jointly and collectively seek the promotion and protection of civil and political rights of Voice rightsholder groups. It is important to note that the lead applicant must be a locally registered Nigerian youth-led organisation but that the action needs to be a collective one.

What we won’t Fund

• Organisations with an annual turnover of over  €2 million.
• An application where the grant awarded from Voice is more than 50% of the total annual income of the applicant organisation.
  • The way to calculate this is to divide the requested amount by the number of years the project will be implemented. The result will then be divided by the annual income.
  • If the result of this calculation is over 50% you can either reduce the requested amount or team up as part of a consortium where you can add up the annual incomes.
• Funding for commercial services, investment or other commercial activities

Practicing the Values of Voice 

Voice believes in the principle of Nothing About Us Without Us. In practice, this means Voice rightsholder groups need to be at the centre of any effort. They must be involved in the conceptualisation, planning, and implementation of any grant. They are equal partners in any consortium, network, or coalition, playing key governance and leadership roles.

Linking and Learning 

Linking and Learning is at the heart and soul of Voice. All grantees are expected to participate in facilitated meetings and gatherings enabling the exchange of ideas and learnings from others experiences.  Applicants must demonstrate in their proposals how they will identify, document, and share their learnings as they implement their project. These may come in many forms such as blog posts, videos, photo essay or audio recordings.

Voice values diversity and inclusion. All grantees are expected to be able to interact with and learn from a diverse group of people coming from different backgrounds, orientations, and experiences. Interested applicants must be willing to work in a diverse community, which includes representatives from all of the Voice rightsholder groups.

This Call for Proposals is closed and no longer accepting applications. Come back here at a later stage to learn about the grantees that have been selected in this Call for Proposals.

The current open Calls for Proposals can be found here.