Support for Disabled Persons' Organizations in Developing World

The Open Society Institute ( http://info.thearc.org/t/994106/23722927/48319/0/?u=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5zb3Jvcy5vcmcv&x=31c81099 ), the Sigrid Rausing Trust ( http://info.thearc.org/t/994106/23722927/48320/0/?u=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5zaWdyaWQtcmF1c2luZy10cnVzdC5vcmcv&x=d0e3eefe ), the United Kingdom Department for International Development ( http://info.thearc.org/t/994106/23722927/48321/0/?u=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5kZmlkLmdvdi51ay8%3d&x=6b223cfa), and an anonymous donor have launched a collaborative to support the human rights for people with disabilities. Launched on the first anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Disability Rights Fund will provide financial support for human rights advocacy in the developing world and Eastern Europe/former Soviet Union. The broad objective of the fund will be to empower Disabled Persons' Organizations around the world to effectively implement and monitor the CPRD. Grants disbursed by the Disability Rights Fund will be centered on three major areas: increasing the participation of persons with disabilities in their communities through trainings and networking opportunities; developing awareness of the CPRD among stakeholders; and supporting advocacy projects that promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities.

In its 2008 "Building Community Advocacy" grant cycle, DRF will provide a total of approximately $700,000 in grants ranging from$5,000 to $50,000. All 2008 grantmaking will be directed to DPO activities in the following seven countries: in Africa -- Ghana, Namibia andUganda; in Latin America -- Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Peru; and in Asia -- Bangladesh. Grants will be given to: raise awareness about the CRPD and its implications for Persons With Disabilities; build coalitions andnetworks which increase the visibility and voice of all persons with disabilities; and strengthen advocacy efforts in relationto ratification, implementation, or monitoring of the CRPD. Visit the DRF Web site for complete program information and application procedures. Dead line is August 15, 2008. RFP Link: http://info.thearc.org/t/994106/23722927/48322/0/?u=aHR0cDovL2Zjb25saW5lLmZvdW5kYXRpb25jZW50ZXIub3JnL3BuZC8xNTAxMzcyNy9kaXNhYmlsaXR5cmlnaHRz&x=d662d318 For additional RFPs in Disabilities, visit: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_disabilities.jhtml