Application Deadline: April 30th 2016
The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) is a grant making and advocacy foundation that is part of the global Open Society Foundations Network. OSIWA works to support the creation of open societies in West Africa marked by functioning democracy, good governance, the rule of law, basic freedoms, and widespread civic participation. Its headquarters is in Dakar and it has offices in Abuja, Monrovia, Freetown and Conakry.
OSIWA only supports innovative interventions with effective strategies that respond to the broader deep-seated political, justice and socio-economic roadblocks to open society in West Africa. We seek to seize new opportunities and deploy novel methods, including technology, to address open society challenges.
OSIWA seeks proposals aimed at achieving the following specific themes:
- Economic Governance and advancement – Strengthen food security system and agriculture in the context of climate change; Increase the effectiveness of natural resource management frameworks; Enhance citizens’ social demands for accountability and effectiveness in public service delivery in health and education; Strengthen regional economic integration processes as well as tax, investment and trade justice; Promote transparency & accountability in the public sector and support alternative, ICT and arts-based means for fighting corruption.
- Drug Policy – Reduce the impact of drug trafficking on governance and contribute to reducing the vulnerability of West African states to the threat and the impact of drug trafficking.
- Human Rights & Democratic Practice – Support civic engagement and inclusive participation in democratic governance; Strengthen electoral system; Ensure inclusive constitutional review processes and strengthen prevention and early warning information systems to reduce militancy and violence; Enhance citizenship and documentation of identity and promote the adoption, implementation and compliance of freedom of/right to information laws.
- Justice Reform & The Rule Of Law – Advance the inclusion and legal empowerment of women, youth and people with disabilities; Promote the use of transitional justice mechanisms; Improve criminal justice and the administration of justice.
- Journalism, Information & Digital Rights – Promote investigative journalism and free, quality & independent media.
ELIGIBILITY
- OSIWA primarily awards grants to local organizations based in West Africa. In rare and limited circumstances, it provides support to West Africa-based international organizations with a strong commitment to transfer knowledge to local groups they partner with.
- It provides grants to government institutions as well as regional and sub-regional organizations working in its core priority areas.
Selection Criteria:
Questions used as criteria for selection:
ORGANIZATION
- Does the organization demonstrate the vision and skills, breadth of experience and discipline needed to accomplish the project with a high degree of success in a timely and cost-effective manner?
- Does the organization’s track record and recommendations distinguish the organization as one who will lend a new or important voice to the advocacy community and be an agent for change?
- Does the organization possess the leadership and analytical qualities needed to raise the level of local or national discussion and influence policy debate on the issues underlying the project?
PROJECT
- Is the project relevant to OSIWA’s strategic priorities?
- Is the project sufficiently innovative in its approach and sound in its strategy to have an impact on public opinion, policies, and/or reform activities at the national, regional or local level?
- Are the project goals and timeline realistic and manageable?
- Does the project budget speak to the activities?
- Is the Monitoring and Evaluation framework well defined?
- Does the project identify and build on existing efforts by organizations or individuals already working on the issue?
- Does the project have multiplier effects?
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
OSIWA requires all organizations seeking funding to submit a completed proposal template, a budget, and a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. The application should also include the following information as attachments:
- Proof of registration and (if available) a copy of organizational statutes;
- A list of board members, trustees and staff;
- A list of current activities or (if available) a most recent annual report;
- A current organizational budget and, if available, an audited financial statement;
- A recent project or organizational evaluation (if available).
SUBMISSION AND DEADLINES
- Proposals should be sent directly to: proposals@osiwa.org and will be accepted until April 30th 2016. OSIWA encourages the early submission of proposals.
- Submitted proposals will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
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