Are you a formal or loosely formed civil society network in Uganda? Are you passionate in responding to the declining trend against civic space affecting the freedoms of assembly, speech and association?

If yes, then consider responding to this call for proposals and reclaim civic spaces in Uganda.

We accept project proposals running from 6 months to a maximum of 1 year, ranging from €5,000 to €100,000 (approx. UGX 20,000,000 to UGX 400,000,000).

In order to effectively reclaim civic space, Voice in Uganda will give preference to projects that are:

• Inclusive, with cooperative approaches that engage a broad spectrum of local civil society actors—including, for example, faith-based organisations, private sector and other ‘unlikely actors’;
• Locally tailored, innovative communication approaches with deep understanding and respect of the local context;
• Reaching beyond elite and institutionalised civil society to having the Voice groups taking the lead in the response; and
• Creatively utilise non-conventional lobby and advocacy efforts that are locally owned and driven. 

Examples of current opportunities/threats that potential applicants may want to respond to:

• With the Government of Uganda’s decision to formally join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), potential applicants may want to ensure that the voices of host communities are engaged in its implementation;
• Address unconstitutional practices such as arrests and intimidation of activists, artists, including banning of media products that are meant to raise awareness on oppressive state practices;

What is a sudden opportunity?

This Sudden Opportunity grant is meant to support short term interventions by CSOs, Human Rights Activists, faith-based organisations working collaboratively to challenge the status quo affecting civic space, stifling civil liberties among other actions. The actions or interventions are collective, progressive and non-violent and undertaken by Uganda-based, locally registered organisation or group.

Practicing the Values of Voice

Voice believes in the principle of Nothing About Us Without Us. In practice, this means Voice target groups need to be at the centre of any collective action. They must be involved in the conceptualisation, planning, and implementation of the Sudden Opportunity project.

Possible interventions would require creating platforms and spaces where Voice target groups can self-advocate for their economic, social and cultural rights. Joint participation of a network, consortium or coalition of human rights defenders, private institutions and companies, faith leaders, NGOs and self-interested individuals using nonviolent action to amplify the voices of marginalised groups is necessary. 

Linking and Learning

Linking and Learning is at the heart and soul of Voice. All grantees are expected to participate in facilitated meetings for knowledge exchange and learning from each other’s’ experiences.  Applicants must demonstrate in their proposals how they will identify, document, and share their learnings as they implement their project, which could be in form of 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 target 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.