Are you concerned about the low level of citizens’ influence in governance processes in Nigeria? Do you wish to undertake a collective action to reverse the trend of a shrinking civic space affecting the freedoms of assembly, speech and association? Do you wish to challenge the direction of unfair practices in society affecting the most marginalised and discriminated groups in Nigeria? Is there a national opportunity for strategic advocacy and/or litigation, peaceful offline protests, or coordination of CSOs for collective action that can lead to change in policy/laws, or a shift in public attitudes and practices?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then consider applying for this Sudden Opportunity Grant to demonstrate that meaningful citizen engagement matters! This grant is available from Euro 5,000 to Euro 200,000 for an intervention that will last between 6 and 12 months.

What is a Sudden Opportunity?

It is a Voice grant that supports short term interventions by CSOs, Human Rights Defenders and/or faith-based organisations, working together as a consortium to challenge the status quo affecting civic space, stifling -or opening- civil liberties. Sudden Opportunity grants should focus on addressing policy change, a shift in public opinion or attitude. The actions or interventions should be implemented as a collective, are progressive and peaceful and undertaken by locally registered organisations or groups.

What do we wish to fund?

Collective action that will impact at least one or more of the below rightsholder groups;

• Women facing exploitation, abuse and/or violence,
• People with Disabilities,
• Age discriminated (youth and 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 is about diversity and inclusion. This means that 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.

Your project needs to focus on any or all of the following themes:

• Improved access to (productive) resources such as land and/or employment
• Improved access to social services, particularly health and education, and
• Fostering space for political participation and citizen engagement.

Who do we wish to fund?

Applications are being accepted from a coalition, network or consortia with participation of human rights defenders, private institutions and companies, journalists, bloggers, NGOs and self-interested individuals or intellectuals who 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 organisation.

Voice believes in the principle of ‘Nothing about Us without Us’. In practice, this means Voice rightsholder groups need to be at the center of any collective action. They must be involved in the conceptualisation, planning, and implementation of the action. Possible interventions may require strengthening platforms and spaces where Voice rightsholder groups can self-advocate for their economic, social and political rights. You may also check all other funded Sudden Opportunity grants for inspiration.

This Call for Proposals is closed and no longer accepting applications. Please click the next tab to learn about the grantees that have been selected as part of this Call for Proposals.

The current open Calls for Proposals can be found here.