National Communication Campaign focused on promoting human rights and a positive representation of the LGBTI community

Under the framework of the project implemented by SIDC and ACTED titled: “Enhancing the inclusivity of the LGBTI community in workplaces in Lebanon”, funded by the European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR), we at SIDC and ACTED are pleased to invite Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working with/for the LGBTI community, networks or groups or Human Rights in Lebanon, holding prior experience in implementing advocacy campaigns, to submit their Expression of Interest to partake in a capacity building program on advocacy for human rights and later be eligible to submit a proposal to implement a national communication campaign focused on promoting human rights and a positive representation of the LGBTI community. CSOs and groups interested in this opportunity and who meet the below eligibility criteria will have to fill the request for Expression of Interest form in English and submit it, along with supporting documentation (see section 4), by email to [email protected], with the email title “NAME OF YOUR ORGANIZATION – EU project – LOCATION OF YOUR ORGANIZATION”. Selected organizations will be contacted within one month of the submission of their request.

Sub-grant: between 10k and 20k Euros

Section 1: Overview

Soins Infirmiers et Développement Communautaire (SIDC) is a local non-governmental not-for-profit Lebanese organization that was established in 1987 and officially registered 9/AD in 1992. SIDC envisions a Lebanese society in which all individuals, especially vulnerable populations, fulfill their right to health through their active participation in making informed choices, adopting and promoting healthy behaviors and realizing their potentials. SIDC commits to providing equitable access to healthcare and improve the quality of life of key populations in partnership with them through harm reduction and healthcare services, advocacy, networking, and capacity building for NGOs at the national and regional level.

ACTED is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1993 working in over 38 countries and working in Lebanon since 2006. Independent, private and not-for-profit, ACTED respects a strict political and religious impartiality and operates according to principles of non-discrimination and transparency. ACTED does not select beneficiaries or areas of intervention based on non-humanitarian principles – we provide assistance based on need alone. Since 1993, ACTED has been committed to its mandate, and to providing immediate humanitarian relief to support those in urgent need and protect people’s dignity, while co-creating longer term opportunities for sustainable growth and fulfilling people’s potential. Our vision is to establish a link between emergency, rehabilitation and development through a multidisciplinary approach which is adapted to each context.

Section 2: Objectives and Activities of this Funding Opportunity

With the financial support of the European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR), SIDC and ACTED are implementing a 2-year project titled “Enhancing the inclusivity of the LGBTI community in workplaces in Lebanon”, to promote and protect the rights of the LGBTI individuals in Lebanon by increasing their employability and accessibility to the workplace.

This project targets primarily the LGBTI community in Lebanon, and secondly the private sector employers and HR managers through three main objectives:

1. To improve workplaces by making them more inclusive and responsive to the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the LGBTI community in Lebanon
2. To empower the LGBTI community to seek and maintain employment based on their personal preferences and professional goals
3. To facilitate change and challenge social norms, perceived roles of individuals and prejudices that exist in societies leading to stigma, discrimination and human rights violations of LGBTI at the workplace. The project runs until December 2021.

As part of this project and under the objective of facilitating change and challenging social norms, perceived roles of individuals and prejudices that exist in societies that lead to stigma and discrimination, SIDC and ACTED will support ten civil society organizations (CSOs) working with/for the LGBTI community or Human Rights in Lebanon, with prior experience working in human rights sphere and implementing advocacy campaigns, through capacity building program, as well as provision of sub-grants to implement communication campaigns.

The 10 Selected CSOs will benefit from the following activities:

• Receive a 4-day workshop delivered by SIDC and focused on but not limited to: the UN mechanisms and conventions, how to plan and implement an advocacy campaign (issue analysis tools, stakeholder mapping, formulating advocacy goals and objectives, targets; communicating strategically; monitoring and documentation).
• Attend an information session organized by ACTED about the selection process, criteria, proposal and timeline.
• Become eligible to submit a proposal and receive a sub-grant to implement a communication/advocacy campaign focused on promoting human rights and inclusion of the LBGTI community to be finalized by end of November 2021 at the latest.

Section 3: Selection Criteria

3 to 5 local civil society organizations (CSOs) working with/for the LGBTI community will be selected from across Lebanon based on their past performance and experience in implementing communication campaigns and advocating for the rights of the LGBTI and their capacities to ensure coordination and cooperation with SIDC and ACTED.

The selection criteria will take into consideration that:

• The CSO has past experience working in human rights sphere and/or LGBTI assistance
• The CSO has past experience and track record in terms of advocacy and communication campaigns or services
• The CSO is located in a strategic geographical area identified for activities’ implementation
• The CSO has managed or participated as partner in a project/budget of at least between 5k to 10k USD in the last three years
• The CSO has the ability to assign a focal point other than the head of CSO/network
• The CSO is willing to commit to project’s activities and deadlines, as well as SIDC and ACTED financial and reporting procedures
• The CSO has potential to implement the campaigns nationwide
• The CSO has previous experience in coordinating with other CSOs and networks within their sector of intervention
• The CSO is passionate about advocating for the rights of the LGBTI community