Partnership Application – Community Policing Small Grants

Background

Within the EU-funded project “Promoting Community Policing in Lebanon”, which is jointly implemented by the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP) and CIVIPOL, Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is supporting the implementation of its Component 2 “Enhancement of Municipal Police service to Local Population”. The project “Promoting Community Policing in Lebanon” aims at improving the service provided to citizens to facilitate the transition from a force-based policing approach to a citizen-oriented policing service. It seeks to promote social cohesion by promoting a community policing approach that respects human rights and the rule of law.

Founded in 1998, FIIAPP is a public sector foundation under the Spanish state and a member institution of Cooperación Española, the Spanish government cooperation agency. CIVIPOL, a private company founded in 2001, is the Technical Cooperation Operator of the French Ministry of the Interior.

About DRI

DRI is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organization registered in Berlin. DRI promotes the political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies, and the development of democratic institutions worldwide. Democratic discourse is the basis of our mission and vision. In our work, we facilitate discussion and exchange about democratic government and the need for a continuous discourse adhering to democratic rules.  

DRI has been active in Lebanon since 2016. We strengthen democracy by bringing it closer to people through effective local governance, improved transparency, and citizen participation. Our work in Lebanon focuses on three main areas:

  • Empowering civil society, notably youths and women, to participate actively in political life and elections, increasing their representation in decision-making positions.
  • Promoting good governance, public integrity, and the rule of law.
  • Increasing engagement between people and local authorities to help improve how public services are delivered and cooperation between different levels of government.  

About the Project

Lebanon is currently experiencing profound social discontent, in addition to security challenges. In the framework of Component 2 “Enhancement of Municipal Police Service to Local Populations” of the project “Promoting Community Policing in Lebanon”, DRI is supporting the implementation of the community policing model in six municipalities and unions of municipalities. The Component aims at strengthening the role of municipal police as a key driver of stability and social cohesion in the selected municipalities/unions, with the aiming of improving their institutional capabilities to fulfil their functions in a coordinated and accountable manner. Community policing is promoted from a perspective of social cohesion, recognising that dialogue between the population and the municipal police in Lebanon is essential.

The Call for Partnerships

Following this community policing approach, the activity aims at engaging with the community at the municipal level to build trust between citizens and municipal police. Based on a community perceptions survey, the partnerships will aim to increase dialogue and encourage partnership between the municipal police, the Internal Security Forces (ISF), local government, citizens, and CSOs, to develop joint initiatives in each municipality. The partnerships will also focus on ensuring coordination and communication between the ISF, the municipal police, and the local community in targeted municipalities.

To achieve this cooperation, Component 2 will support a local joint initiative between the security sector and the civil society in each targeted municipality. DRI is seeking to partner with local non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, or civil society organisations from six geographical areas in Lebanon. DRI will fund and support the implementation of small grant projects at the local community level within the six targeted localities: Tyr, Tripoli, Kfarshima, Kfardebian, Jezzine, and Jabal Al Sheikh Union of Municipalities. The partnership aims at increasing the impact and sustainability of the project, building networks with DRI, and enhancing locals’ sense of security.

The project is looking for a community-centred joint activity with the local municipal police and the local ISF unit in each of the six targeted localities to tackle a security issue. The end result is to enhance the sense of security among citizens and residents, and to increase the trust among local community and the policing services provided by the ISF and the local authority.

How to apply

Grant Requirements and Process

Grants will support community-based civil society actors who are committed to conduct a joint activity to enhance the sense of security at the targeted localities. Interested candidates can apply for a grant amount of up to 5,000 EUR. Applicants must fill out and submit the attached “Application Form” that includes the organisation’s information (title, location, organigram, etc.), project concept notes, previous experience, action plan, and budget in compliance with DRI criteria. The submission will be evaluated as part of the shortlisting phase.

Submission documents:

  1. Completed application form (Annex I) in either English or Arabic, with accurate data, including the Annexes (i.e., concept note, budget, organigram, etc.).
  2. Annex II - Proof of Registration along with official registration documents or adequate financial guarantees in case of non-legal entities.
  3. Project references indicating previous experience in project implementation or project closure certificates.
  4. Organisational organigram including the team to be involved in the project implementation.

 

You will find attached the Evaluation Grid, to be used within DRI’s internal assessment, for a better understanding of the selection criteria.

Submit your application via email, to [email protected], with the subject line “Partnership Application – Your Organisation – Community Policing Small Grants”. 

Application deadline is 7 April 2023.

Clarification requests may be submitted via email to [email protected]. An online information session was held on Friday 10 March 2023 at 12:30 PM Beirut time. Use the following link to check the recorded session on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/Y09H-05aL4qmIfRDa7JiNYkbClmgaC2_85vAJDHX58rWOolKvDmEG3O8dhYSjhbM.xl7kr2aEkmfKPPmc

Passcode: k#bSq89s

 

Incomplete applications will not be considered.  

 

 

 

Eligibility

  1. Mandatory criteria: 

The applicant must be a not-for-profit entity that is legally registered in Lebanon.  Non-registered organisations may co-apply alongside the lead applicant.

 

  1. Preferred criteria: 
  • Experience in implementing similar projects. 
  • Experience working with marginalised groups (e.g., women, youth, elders) 
  • Successful implementation of development and/or human rights programming which targeted as many of the following core stakeholders as possible: civil society, women, youth, media, national and local authorities, national human rights institutions, and regional and international organisations. 
  •  Track record in the following methodologies: community outreach, awareness raising, monitoring & analysis. 

 

  1. Ineligible Entities: 
  • Individuals 
  • International not-for-profit and non-governmental organizations. 
  • Political parties, groups, or institutions or their subsidiaries and affiliates. 
  • Government institutions (includes entities that the Government of Lebanon owns at least 50% share of or receive at least 50% of their annual financial support from the Government). 
  • Organisations that advocate or promote anti-democratic policies or illegal activities. 
  • Any organisation that refuses to sign all required certifications and assurances. 
Expired
Deadline
Friday, 07. Apr 2023
Type of Call
Call for Applications
Intervention Sector(s):
Advocacy & Awareness, Democracy & Civic rights
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