KIOS: Open call for Expressions of Interest to support human rights work in Sri Lanka

KIOS Foundation (KIOS) is launching an open call for expression of interest to support human rights work in Sri Lanka carried out by local civil society organisations

Background

The KIOS Foundation is an independent, non-political, non-religious and non-governmental foundation founded in 1998 in Finland. KIOS supports the work of human rights defenders in East Africa and South Asia. Together with local organisations, we are building a world where human rights belong to everyone.

The call is implemented by KIOS with financial support from its main donor, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Finland, as part of KIOS’ ongoing support for local civil society actors advancing human rights. This call is only open for Sri Lankan civil society organisations working on human rights issues in Sri Lanka and based in Sri Lanka.

Thematic Areas

This is a thematically limited call. The primary focus of the proposed action must fall under at least one of the following strategic thematic areas of KIOS and special consideration will be given to proposals focusing on the third thematic area (Responsible Business, Environment, and Human Rights): 

1. Non-Discrimination and Gender Equality 
2. Democratic Rights and the Rule of Law 
3. Responsible Business, Environment, and Human Rights  
   

Crosscutting objectives 

Despite the chosen thematic area of the proposed action, all proposals are expected to meaningfully consider KIOS cross-cutting objectives: gender equality and women’s rights; security of human rights defenders; and disability inclusion, and to make sure that the proposed action does not have negative impacts on climate and the environment.  

Funding Information & Duration

• The number of grants from this call will be around 3-5 and the amount of each grant will be around 20 000-40 000 euros
• The grants for this call are for a one-year (12 months), meaning that the budget plan including implementation, monitoring and reporting of the grant must be within the 12-month timeframe. Applications requesting funding for other periods are not eligible.

Who Can Apply?

This call is open to:

• Sri Lankan civil society organisations working on human rights issues in Sri Lanka and based in Sri Lanka. 

Organisations should be formally registered or, in the case of smaller grassroots groups, able to demonstrate:  

• Active operations,
• Basic administrative structures, and
• Accountability mechanisms

Eligible applicants must be:

• Non-profit
• Independent of government
• Non-political
• Committed to non-violence and human rights principles

Organisations led by women, youth and marginalised groups are particularly encouraged to apply. The primary focus of the call is to support organisations outside Colombo, but the call is countrywide. Colombo-based organisations may be considered, if the proposed action is in other parts of the country. 

Organisations that have previously received funding from KIOS may apply only after all prior KIOS-funded grants have been fully completed and reported.

Non-Eligible Applicants 

KIOS does not provide funding to: 

• Individuals
• For-profit entities
• Political parties
• Religious institutions
• Governmental bodies (national or local)
• International non-governmental organisations (INGOs) 

The following are not eligible for funding:

• General service delivery 
• Infrastructure or construction, purchases of land or buildings 
• Vocational or livelihood training 
• Humanitarian assistance 
• Academic research 
• Scholarships or fellowships 
• Conferences or travel as a sole activity

See the open call guidelines for detailed information and how to apply! Submit your Expression of Interest via the KIOS online application portal. Note that, only applications submitted via the portal are eligible. 

KIOS will also host a separate info session on the call via Zoom on June 10 at 13:30 Sri Lankan time, registration here.