Call for Applications: Africtivistes – Local Initiative for Justice II

Local Initiative for Justice

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

All projects must have a community focus, take a civic and non-institutional approach, include a digital component in their communication strategy, and have a budget of no more than US$2,000. Project leaders will receive support from AfricTivistes teams in their respective countries. US$200 of the budget must be reserved exclusively for internet connectivity and the online promotion of the activity as part of the #CADHP4Africans campaign. Each session must have at least 30 participants.

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

Results

• Five Local Initiative for Justice workshops are held;
• A community of interest with at least 150 participants is created;
• 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 African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has faced considerable criticism throughout its existence. Political influence has often called the work of this body into question, and it has been regarded as insufficiently independent. Nevertheless, despite the Protocol establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights coming into force in 2004, the African Commission remains the principal body in the African human rights system. The very restrictive conditions for bringing a case before the African Court prevent victims from asserting their rights before it. Indeed, to better fulfil its protective mandate, the African Commission has relaxed its procedures over time, thereby improving access to it and its capacity to act.”

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

Created to help people by promoting human and peoples’ rights and ensuring their protection in Africa, the Commission remains largely unknown to the populations it serves.

Through this project, AfricTivistes aims to help people better understand the Commission’s mandate, role and work. Activities will involve more than 150 people across five countries, with leading legal experts, human rights activists and defenders taking part. With our partner AFRO/OSIWA, AfricTivistes will fund the proposed activities that are selected. Applicants must be willing to become human rights activists and/or be committed civil society actors — active members of an organisation, association or citizens’ movement. They must know how to use the internet, have an email address, have an account on a social media platform, and know how to use a computer and a smartphone.

The Local Initiative for Justice programme consists of five main sessions, to be held in the different countries where projects are selected (one session = one project).

A validated project is an application that meets the selection criteria below. Sessions may combine Code4Justice and Justice Academy, or consist of just one component (Code4Justice or Justice Academy).

• Code4Justice: A training workshop on a human rights topic, a hackathon, a boot camp or a mock-trial simulation. This activity will use an inclusive, practical case-study format. A current human rights issue proposed by the applicant will be addressed through a workshop, discussion, round table, mock trial or similar activity. The participation of legal practitioners and human rights experts is strongly recommended.
• Justice Academy: A knowledge-sharing session with justice experts. More theoretical than practical, the Justice Academy allows one or more human rights topics to be explored from a legal perspective. It may take the form of a panel, round table or public conference.

All activities will be led by experts or specialists in the field. They will help make the Commission’s work better known by drawing on examples of actions and activities it has already carried out.

The call for projects is open from Wednesday 15 January to Friday 14 February 2020, at 6 pm GMT. Individuals and organisations that meet the selection criteria below may apply.

To submit your project, click on this link, complete the online application form and provide the requested information. Applicants are not charged any participation or application fees. The programme is entirely free and fully funded if your project is selected.

• Propose an activity related to at least one session (Code4Justice or Justice Academy);
• Be an association, civic organisation, or a member of an organisation or association;
• Work on social justice, human rights or related issues;
• Have internet access;
• Live in the country hosting the session;
• Understand the issues involved in justice-related topics;
• Be familiar with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
• Demonstrate motivation and an appreciation of the value of working as part of a network.

All applications will go through a selection process. From 17 to 19 February 2020, submitted projects will be assessed based on applicants’ profiles and proposed activities.

After the selection process, successful applicants will be notified by email. They must confirm their participation to receive the agenda and further information about the programme.

For further information, email sokhna.cisse@africtivistes.org or infos@africtivistes.org.