[governance] Re: [bestbits] DISCLOSURE REQUEST Re: Funding Available for Strengthening Civil Society...

chlebrum . chlebrum at gmail.com
Sat Nov 9 04:02:55 EST 2013 

+1


2013/11/9 Norbert Bollow <nb at bollow.ch>

> I am honestly surprised to see my request for transparency in regard to
> what is in the present situation clearly a key aspect described, by a
> member of the BestBits steering committee, as "lining people up against
> a wall and shooting them".
>
> Is the plural "people" in that sentence an indication that a plurality
> of members of the BestBits steering committee have such a funding
> relationship to a project that is funded entirely or in part by the US
> government?
>
> I apologize for asking this so bluntly, but I have previously tried
> to ask in a very non-confrontational way. The first time I asked a
> related question was well before the BestBits meeting in Bali. That
> led to an off-list discussion of Jeremy, Andrew and myself in which
> I thought it had been agreed to discuss the issue of transparency in
> Bali.
>
> However, when I brought the issue up during the BestBits meeting in
> Bali, in an as non-confrontational way as possible, Andrew deflected
> the attempts to raise the issue, preventing it from being discussed.
>
> Now with that new "Public Notice" addressing, together with two other
> countries, the country that will apparently be the host country of next
> year's IGF, I feel a need to ask these questions bluntly.
>
> There is a point when one has to speak out, with clear words, if one
> does not want to be an accomplice through silence.
>
> Greetings,
> Norbert
>
>
> Am Sat, 9 Nov 2013 12:36:25 +0530
> schrieb Anja Kovacs <anja at internetdemocracy.in>:
>
> > Norbert,
> >
> > As you are aware, one of the primary goals of Best Bits is to bridge
> > the divide between civil society in the Global South and the Global
> > North.
> >
> > With that in mind, I find the tenor of your message below quite
> > unacceptable. Lining people up against a wall and shooting them, as
> > you seem to aim to do, completely disregards the extreme complexity
> > of funding decisions many activists, especially in the Global South,
> > have to take all the time and the tremendous care with which they
> > face these difficult questions. Whatever way these decisions go,
> > those who make them so carefully are quite aware of the fact that
> > nobody is exempt from the taint of money. In fact, the first thing
> > that comes to my mind when I hear someone self-funded a trip to an
> > international meeting (which some seem to see as the most "untainted"
> > position) is: "how the hell are they able to do that?!?!?". The
> > salaries I am familiar with in the not-for-profit sector don't quite
> > allow for this option. It's a good reminder that the range of
> > decisions that are within the reach of each of us are shaped quite
> > intimately by our respective privilege: our gender, our class, the
> > colour of our skin, our geographical location. Depending on where we
> > are situated in this matrix of privilege, the cost-benefit analysis
> > of accepting any particular kind of funding will necessarily be quite
> > different.
> >
> > While I have engaged in many conversations about the complexities of
> > funding with people in this community (including in the steering
> > committee) and elsewhere, I find these conversations only valuable if
> > they take this matrix of privilege into account. In such situations,
> > everyone will be as reflective about their own decisions and
> > privilege as about others'. As a consequence, these conversations are
> > not framed around judgement, but around compassion and support to
> > question ourselves and push ourselves just a little bit harder, equip
> > ourselves to carry just a little bit more of those costs. If I've
> > ever managed to do anything politically meaningful in my life, it is
> > only because I have for long been blessed with the company of friends
> > who provided just that environment.
> >
> > And it is only in such a politically mature environment that I am
> > prepared to have this conversation - or that I think Best Bits should
> > take it forward for that matter, at least if we are to have this
> > conversation in line with the objectives of Best Bits.
> >
> > I will be happy to engage further once the terms of the debate have
> > been altered quite radically along these lines.
> >
> > Thanks and best regards,
> > Anja
> >
> >
> >
> > On 9 November 2013 09:54, Norbert Bollow <nb at bollow.ch> wrote:
> >
> > > Disclosure request to the members of the BestBits Steering
> > > Committee, to the members of the IRP Steering Committee, and
> > > to the coordinators of the IGC
> > >
> > >
> > > I view the kind of thing that is described in Sala's posting below,
> > > when funded by a government with strong geostrategic interests, as
> > > potentially highly problematic.
> > >
> > > Capacity building always and necessarily includes, to some extent at
> > > least, shaping and directing that capacity.
> > >
> > > People whose activities are partly funded through such programmes
> > > cannot reasonably be expected to be objective in regard to matters
> > > that could be seen as threatening the funder's geostrategic
> > > interests.
> > >
> > > For this reason such funding relationships need to be proactively
> > > disclosed. The situation can then be addressed by means of steps
> > > such as recusal from discussions that relate to matters that have a
> > > clear relevance to the funder's geostrategic interests.
> > >
> > > Specifically, I hereby request the members of the BestBits steering
> > > committee, the members of the IRP Steering Committee, and the
> > > coordinators of the IGC to disclose any direct or indirect financial
> > > relationship to any "capacity building" or similar kind of project
> > > where a US government agency is among the funders.
> > >
> > >
> > > For my part, I can say that I don't have any such funding
> > > relationship, I've never had any such funding relationships, and I
> > > have no intention of entering into any such funding relationships
> > > in the future.
> > >
> > > Greetings,
> > > Norbert
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Sala <salanieta.tamanikaiwaimaro at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Dear All,
> > > >
> > > > For those in Azerbaijan, Moldova and Turkey who are seeking to
> > > > strengthen civil society there, there is some funding available
> > > > through the US State Department, see below:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >  Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Request for
> > > > Proposals: Democracy, Human Rights, and Rule of Law in Europe and
> > > > Eurasia (Azerbaijan, Moldova and Turkey)
> > > >
> > > > November 8, 2013
> > > >
> > > > ------------------------------
> > > >
> > > >  Department of State
> > > >
> > > > *Public Notice*
> > > >
> > > > *Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Request for
> > > > Proposals: *Democracy, Human Rights, and Rule of Law in Europe
> > > > and Eurasia (Azerbaijan, Moldova and Turkey)
> > > >
> > > > *SUMMARY*
> > > >
> > > > The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces a
> > > > Request for Proposals from organizations interested in submitting
> > > > proposals for projects that promote democracy, human rights, and
> > > > rule of law in Europe and Eurasia.
> > > >
> > > > *PLEASE NOTE**: DRL strongly urges applicants to access *
> > > > *www.grantsolutions.gov* <http://www.grantsolutions.gov/>* or *
> > > > *www.grants.gov* <http://www.grants.gov/>* as soon as possible in
> > > > order to obtain a username and password to submit your
> > > > application. For more information, please see DRL’s Proposal
> > > > Submission Instructions (PSI), updated in November 2012,
> > > > available at * *http://www.state.gov/j/drl/p/c12302.htm*<
> > > http://www.state.gov/j/drl/p/c12302.htm>*.
> > > > *
> > > >
> > > > *REQUESTED PROPOSAL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES*
> > > >
> > > > DRL invites organizations to submit proposals outlining program
> > > > concepts and capacity to manage projects targeting one of the
> > > > following issues:
> > > >
> > > > *Moldova*
> > > >
> > > > *Minority Empowerment in Moldova (approximately $300,000
> > > > available):* DRL's objective is to strengthen the capacity of
> > > > minorities in Moldova to advocate for and improve their social,
> > > > economic and political conditions. This program should focus on
> > > > one of three areas: Civic Engagement, Social Inclusion or
> > > > Education. Proposals should focus on more than one minority group
> > > > and may include the Roma, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Gagauz, Jewish or
> > > > other communities. Proposals should clearly indicate which of the
> > > > three categories they will address. DRL also encourages proposals
> > > > which address more than one of the categories.
> > > >
> > > > *Civic Engagement* – Civic Engagement proposals should focus on
> > > > developing minority civil society capacity to engage at the local
> > > > and national level to promote equal rights and tolerance.
> > > > Activities could include, but are not limited to: training
> > > > minority civic leaders and NGOs to effectively engage in
> > > > political advocacy and to participate in the decision-making
> > > > process; providing opportunities for participants to network with
> > > > other minority leaders both within Moldova and through regional
> > > > civil society networks; and targeting training for civic leaders
> > > > and NGOs on advocacy skills, legal rights and enforcement,
> > > > organizational management, or communication skills.
> > > >
> > > > *Social Inclusion* – Social Inclusion proposals should focus on
> > > > minority acceptance and improving inter-ethnic relations in
> > > > Moldova. The proposal should promote inter-ethnic communication,
> > > > tolerance, and understanding through components such as
> > > > inter-ethnic youth activities or cross-cultural education. The
> > > > program could raise awareness and knowledge of minority cultures
> > > > and values. Proposals should involve minority interaction with
> > > > the majority group in joint activities.
> > > >
> > > > *Education* – Education proposals should focus on improving
> > > > educational outcomes for minorities in Moldova either through
> > > > activities such as mentorships, after-school programs, summer
> > > > camps, internship opportunities, or language training. The
> > > > program should focus on minorities who are disadvantaged in terms
> > > > of educational opportunities and outcomes.
> > > >
> > > > *Turkey*
> > > >
> > > > *Connecting Civil Society, Citizens and Government (approximately
> > > > $500,000 available):* DRL’s objective is to build the voice of
> > > > civil society in ongoing debates about public policy and increase
> > > > citizens’ awareness that they should be informed about and
> > > > participate in the political process. The program should support
> > > > civil society in advocating for stable democratic institutions,
> > > > the rule of law, and protection of fundamental freedoms; and
> > > > educate citizens on their right to participate in the political
> > > > process. The program should build coalitions among diverse civil
> > > > society groups and NGOs to bring together disparate voices,
> > > > including traditionally marginalized groups, to advocate for
> > > > respect for fundamental freedoms and government accountability.
> > > > Activities should emphasize the value of civil society engagement
> > > > in public policy debates and encourage these coalitions to
> > > > educate their constituents and the general populace on
> > > > fundamental freedoms, and their role in both holding their
> > > > government accountable and protecting their rights and freedoms.
> > > > Proposals should take advantage of traditional and new methods of
> > > > outreach to help citizens share their views and build citizens
> > > > expectations for political participation. Successful proposals
> > > > will also demonstrate a strong knowledge of the political
> > > > environment for civil society in Turkey and an established
> > > > ability to work with diverse civil society groups.
> > > >
> > > > *Azerbaijan*
> > > >
> > > > *Civil Society Empowerment in Azerbaijan (approximately $500,000
> > > > available):* DRL’s objective is to strengthen the role of civil
> > > > society in enhancing government accountability and respect for
> > > > fundamental freedoms and rule of law in Azerbaijan. The program
> > > > will encourage more collaboration among civil society efforts to
> > > > promote an inclusive, accountable, just and participatory
> > > > democratic system of government. The program should also support
> > > > the efforts of civil society in human rights and anti-corruption
> > > > advocacy, while assisting civil society leaders and NGOs in
> > > > increased public outreach. Proposals should identify best
> > > > practices in efforts to promote democratic reforms and rule of
> > > > law, and assess the needs of independent democracy activists and
> > > > NGOs. Program activities could include, but are not limited to:
> > > > technical assistance to build the capacity of Azeri democracy and
> > > > human rights activists and NGOs in key communities to engage in
> > > > effective public outreach and advocacy; support for activities to
> > > > encourage results-oriented, constructive debate and advocacy by
> > > > citizens and civil society organizations; linking NGOs and
> > > > activists advocating for justice, accountability and/or
> > > > fundamental freedoms together within and among Azerbaijan’s
> > > > regions to enhance their effectiveness. Small-to-medium sized
> > > > grants to independent NGOs to conduct public outreach and
> > > > grassroots organizing/advocacy to promote justice, accountability
> > > > and/or fundamental freedoms would be an essential component of a
> > > > successful proposal. Successful proposals will also demonstrate a
> > > > strong knowledge of the environment for civil society in
> > > > Azerbaijan and an established ability to work with regional
> > > > independent civil society.
> > > >
> > > > *DEADLINE AND TECHNICAL ELIGIBILITY*
> > > >
> > > > Please refer directly to DRL’s posted Proposal Submission
> > > > Instructions (PSI), updated in November 2012, available at
> > > > *http://www.state.gov/j/drl/p/c12302.htm*<
> > > http://www.state.gov/j/drl/p/c12302.htm>
> > > > .
> > > >
> > > > Faxed, couriered, or emailed documents will not be accepted at any
> > > > time. Applicants must follow all formatting instructions in this
> > > > document and the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI).
> > > >
> > > > To ensure all applications receive a balanced evaluation, the DRL
> > > > Review Committee will review the first page of the requested
> > > > section up to the page limit and no further. DRL encourages
> > > > organizations to use the given space effectively.
> > > >
> > > > An organization may submit *no more than three [3] proposals (one
> > > > per country/theme).* Proposals that combine target countries
> > > > and/or themes will be deemed technically ineligible. *Proposals
> > > > that request less than the award floor ($300,000) or more than
> > > > the award ceiling ($500,000) may be deemed technically
> > > > ineligible.*
> > > >
> > > > Technically eligible submissions are those which: 1) arrive
> > > > electronically via *www.grantsolutions.gov*
> > > > <http://www.grantsolutions.gov/> or *www.grants.gov*
> > > > <http://www.grants.gov/> by *Wednesday, December 18, 2013 *before
> > > > 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST); 2) heed all instructions
> > > > contained in the solicitation document and Proposal Submission
> > > > Instructions (PSI), including length and completeness of
> > > > submission; and 3) do not violate any of the guidelines stated in
> > > > the solicitation and this document.
> > > >
> > > > *It is the responsibility of all applicants to ensure that
> > > > proposals have been received by **www.grantsolutions.gov*
> > > > <http://www.grantsolutions.gov/>* or **www.grants.gov*
> > > > <http://www.grants.gov/> *in their entirety. DRL bears no
> > > > responsibility for data errors resulting from transmission or
> > > > conversion processes.*
> > > >
> > > > Once the Request for Proposals deadline has passed U.S.
> > > > Department of State staff in Washington and overseas may not
> > > > discuss competing proposals with applicants until the review
> > > > process has been completed.
> > > >
> > > > *NOTE:* In order to process final awards, approved applicants will
> > > > need to register with *www.grantsolutions.gov*
> > > > <http://www.grantsolutions.gov/>.
> > > >
> > > > *ADDITIONAL INFORMATION*
> > > >
> > > > Programs that leverage resources from funds internal to the
> > > > organization or other sources, such as public-private
> > > > partnerships, will be highly considered. Projects that have a
> > > > strong academic, research, conference, or dialogue focus will not
> > > > be deemed competitive. DRL strongly discourages health,
> > > > technology, or science- related projects unless they have an
> > > > explicit component related to the requested program objectives
> > > > listed above. Projects that focus on commercial law or economic
> > > > development will be rated as non-competitive. Cost sharing is
> > > > strongly encouraged, and cost sharing contributions should be
> > > > outlined in the proposal budget and budget narrative.
> > > >
> > > > DRL will not consider proposals that reflect any type of support,
> > > > for any member, affiliate, or representative of a designated
> > > > terrorist organization, whether or not elected members of
> > > > government.
> > > >
> > > > The information in this solicitation is binding and may not be
> > > > modified by any Bureau representative. Explanatory information
> > > > provided by the Bureau that contradicts this language will not be
> > > > binding. Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award
> > > > commitment on the part of the Government. The Bureau reserves the
> > > > right to reduce, revise, or increase proposal budgets in
> > > > accordance with the needs of the program evaluation requirements.
> > > >
> > > > This request for proposals will appear on
> > > > *www.grantosolutions.gov*<http://www.grantosolutions.gov/>or
> > > > *www.grants.gov* <http://www.grantsolutions.gov/> and DRL’s
> > > > website, *www.state.gov/j/drl* <http://www.state.gov/j/drl>.
> > > >
> > > > *FOR FURTHER INFORMATION*
> > > >
> > > > Should you have any questions regarding the solicitation, please
> > > > feel free to contact Erin Spitzer at *SpitzerEM at State.gov*
> > > > <SpitzerEM at State.gov>. Once the deadline has passed, State
> > > > Department officials and staff - both in the Bureau and at
> > > > embassies overseas - may not discuss this competition with
> > > > applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >  ------------------------------
> > > >
> > > > Stay connected with the State Department:
> > >
> > >
> > > ____________________________________________________________
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> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
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