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Local Initiative for Justice

Local Initiative for Justice: A programme of five major initiatives for justice in Africa

25 octobre 2023

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What is Local Initiative for Justice?

Local Initiative for Justice is a workshop and training programme for civil society actors working on justice issues in Africa. It is intended for AfricTivistes members, partner civil society organisations and youth associations. They are invited to propose local activities addressing justice issues in Africa. These activities should promote legal instruments and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

All projects must be community-driven, take a citizen-focused rather than institutional approach, include a digital communications strategy and have a budget of no more than $2,000. AfricTivistes teams in the relevant countries will support project leads. A dedicated $200 of each project budget must be set aside for internet connectivity and sharing the activity online as part of the campaign. Each session must have at least 30 participants.

Objectives

The project aims to create a space for dialogue, exchange, discussion and debate on human and peoples’ rights issues.

  • Five Local Initiative for Justice sessions are held.
  • A community of interest comprising at least 150 stakeholders is established.
  • Five activity reports are published in the dedicated section of the AfricTivistes website.
  • A series of discussions and debates on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is launched.

The project

“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has faced considerable criticism throughout its existence. Political influence has often raised questions about the work of this body, which has been judged insufficiently independent. Nevertheless, despite the Protocol establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights entering into force in 2004, the African Commission remains the principal body in the African human rights system. The very restrictive conditions for bringing cases before the African Court prevent victims from asserting their rights before it. In order to better fulfil its protective mandate, the African Commission has, over time, relaxed its procedures, improving access to the Commission and its ability to act.”

Nisrine Eba Nguema, The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and its mandate to protect human rights

Established to help citizens by promoting human and peoples’ rights and ensuring their protection in Africa, the Commission remains little known to the populations it serves.

Through this project, AfricTivistes aims to help people better understand the Commission’s mandate, role and work. Activities across five countries will involve more than 150 people, with contributions from leading legal experts and human rights activists. With our partner AFRO/OSIWA, AfricTivistes will fund the activities proposed and selected. Applicants should be willing to become human rights activists and/or be active civil society actors, such as members of an organisation, association or civic movement. They must be able to use the internet, have an email address, be registered on a social network, and know how to use a computer and a smartphone running Android or iOS.

How the programme works

The Local Initiative for Justice programme consists of five major sessions. Sessions will be held in turn in the countries whose project proposals are selected.

Each session has two parts:

  • Code4Justice: a training workshop on a human rights topic.
  • Justice Academy: a theoretical session and exchange with justice experts.

Applications

The call for project proposals is open from 20 May to 20 June 2019.

How to apply

To submit a project, click this link, complete the online application form and provide the requested information. No participation or application fee is charged. The programme is entirely free, and selected projects are fully funded.

Selection criteria

All applications go through a selection process. Projects are assessed based on applicants’ profiles and the activities they propose.

Participants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be an association, a civic organisation, or a member of an organisation or association;
  • Work on social justice or human rights issues;
  • Have access to the internet;
  • Live in the country hosting the session;
  • Be aware of the issues involved in justice-related topics;
  • Know about the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
  • Demonstrate motivation and an appreciation of network-based collaboration.

Selection

Successful applicants will be notified by email. They must reconfirm their participation to receive the schedule and further information about the programme.

For further information, please email infos@africtivistes.org.

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