Supporting the adoption of comprehensive equality laws

Invitation to bid – October 2020

The Equal Rights Trust (ERT) exists to eliminate all forms of discrimination and ensure that everyone can participate in society on an equal basis. To achieve this mission, we work in partnership with equality defenders – civil society organisations (CSOs), lawyers, government representatives, and others committed to using law to create an equal world – providing them with the technical, strategic and practical support they need to work for the adoption and effective implementation of comprehensive equality laws.

We have recently launched a new initiative to support groups and organisations in Commonwealth of Nations member countries working to advocate for the  adoption of comprehensive equality laws. As part of this initiative, we are inviting bids from organisations interested in receiving financial, technical and strategic support for the development of advocacy strategies to secure the adoption of comprehensive equality laws in their country. We are grateful to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for providing the funding to support this project.

Eligibility

Applicants must be (a) a not for profit non-governmental organisation or group of organisations (b) registered and operating in a member country of the Commonwealth of Nations which has yet to adopt comprehensive equality legislation.

If you are uncertain of whether your organisation is eligible, please contact us at info@equalrightstrust.org.

Objectives and Outputs

The objective of this scheme is to support organisations and groups of organisations committed to securing the adoption of comprehensive equality legislation in their country to develop evidence-based advocacy strategies to achieve this goal. We seek applications from organisations which can demonstrate their willingness and ability to produce the following outputs, in collaboration with our team:

• Context analysis report: a mapping and analysis of the national legal, political and social context for equality law reform, including an assessment of key proponents and opponents. This analysis should be aimed at identifying opportunities for, and obstacles to, the adoption of comprehensive anti-discrimination law and ways in which such obstacles can be overcome;
• Legislative advocacy strategy: a clear, objective strategy to build consensus on the need for comprehensive equality law and secure legislative reform, based on rigorous analysis of the national context, including opportunities and threats. This strategy will identify pathways for future advocacy and engagement for the adoption of comprehensive equality law within the state.

Successful applicants will receive financial support; training, guidance and technical support from the Equal Rights Trust; and access to our global network of partners – including those partners who have successfully advocated for the adoption of comprehensive equality laws in their own state. Support will include toolkits and written guidance to facilitate context analysis and strategy development.

Applicants should demonstrate the potential for equality law reform in their country, with particular reference to progress already made and / or foundations established.

Process

Following the assessment of all applications, ERT will work with the selected applicants to agree the scope of their outputs and budget and confirm milestones for submission of drafts. ERT will provide training on equality law as well as extensive ongoing technical support and expert guidance, including its resources and templates (covering advocacy; research; monitoring and documentation; etc).

Schedule/milestones

• Deadline for proposals: Monday, 2nd November 2020
• Contract, budget and scope confirmed: Thursday, 12th November 2020
• Completion of ERT’s online training: Friday, 4th December 2020
• Submission of context analysis report: Wednesday, 9th December 2020
• Initial draft of advocacy strategy: Friday, 29th January 2021
• Final draft of advocacy strategy: Friday, 12th March 2021             

Budget

Please submit a budget setting out:

• the individual(s) who will undertake the work to produce the outputs;
• their profession and / or role in the organisation;
• annual salary or daily rate; and
• the percentage of their time that would be allocated to meeting the outputs during the period 12 November 2020 – 12 March 2021;
• any other direct expenditures that the organisation may incur in undertaking the work.

The proposed budget must not exceed 10,000 GBP. ERT will work with selected applicants to finalise and confirm the budget by 12th November 2020.

Selection criteria

The proposals will be reviewed by an expert selection committee composed of independent international experts and a representative from ERT. These experts are not eligible to bid for grants and have been selected based on their respective knowledge of equality law. 

Successful sub-grantees will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

• Relevance: relevance of the applicant’s proposal to the objectives and outputs
• Impact: likelihood of success in delivering the outputs; potential for equality law reform
• Capacity: level of expertise in equality and non-discrimination; advocacy experience
• Sustainability: plans for sustaining the outputs beyond the life of the project.

ERT will only award one grant per country and plans to award at least four grants.

To apply:

Please submit an application form along with a detailed budget to info@equalrightstrust.org by 6pm (GMT) on Monday, 2nd November 2020, with the subject line: “Supporting the Adoption of Comprehensive Equality Laws” (excluding speech marks).

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NB: Comprehensive equality laws are laws which, inter alia: prohibit direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and failure to make reasonable accommodation on the basis of all grounds recognised at international law, and in all areas of life regulated by law; provide for and require the implementation of positive action measures to redress inequality; and provide the procedural safeguards necessary to ensure that victims of discrimination can access justice and receive effective remedy.