This year’s call for the 2009 Grant for Democracy and Human Rights Projects in Asia (GDHRPA), received 26 applications where two organizations will be supported for one year. The grant is awarded to non-government organizations that continually play a significant role in strengthening people’s participation and empowerment in creating a civil society that respect human rights and protect democracy and peace and encourages international solidarity.

Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO) of Nepal and Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (KPNE) of the Philippines will receive this year’s 2009 Grant for Democracy and Human Rights Projects in Asia (GDHRPA). The one-year grant support amounts to KRW 3,000,000.00.

Since 1994, FEDO is Nepal’s pioneer and prominent Dalit rights organization that works for the promotion of Dalits, and advocates against caste and gender based discrimination. It serves as resource for NGOs working on the issue of Dalit women and has provided technical support to the government of Nepal as well. FEDO has its 40 district chapter offices as networks.

The project is to be implemented at the Dolakha district, a hilly and rural area in Nepal where Dalit people are living with poor access of resources and lack of proper awareness of state making mechanism. The community is not served by any GOs, NGOs and INGOs that deals with the problems and issues of the Dalits of which more then half are women. FEDO will operate programs and activities to ensure the rights of Dalit women are respected as it is enshrined in the new constitution.

Kalikasan-PNE project aims to support and strengthen the campaign against large-scale mining in Rapu-rapu by increasing the capacity of the local communities in asserting and defending their economic, social and cultural rights against the proponents of large-scale mining in the island. The project will also monitor human rights violations in relation to the operation of mining in the area.

Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE) is a Philippine-based network of non-government organizations (NGOs), grassroots organizations, and environmental advocates (kalikasan means nature). The groups has been serving as the  nationwide campaign center on a broad spectrum of environmental concerns since its founding on November 25, 1997, Kalikasan-PNE places primacy on addressing environmental issues from the perspective of advancing the welfare of the grassroots-level populace foremost.

The screening committee had a difficult time of choosing grantees for this year since the other applications  were equally deserving support and assistance. But for this year, FEDO and Kalikasan-PNE were chosen given the urgency and opportunity that these projects may contribute in making an impact to the community and policy in those countries.

 
The May 18 Memorial Foundation administers this grant. Towards the end of next year it will be calling again for its new funding cycle to support a total of  6 organizations for a one to two-year funding assistance. Those organizations who have submitted application this year but were not chosen will be given priority for next year.