UNDEF supports projects that empower civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. Most UNDEF funding goes to local civil society organizations. In this way, UNDEF plays a distinct role in complementing the UN's other work -- the work with Governments -- to strengthen democratic governance around the world.
UNDEF projects cover one or more of eight thematic areas:
- Media and freedom of information
- Gender equality
- Community activism
- Rule of law and human rights
- Youth engagement
- Strengthening civil society interaction with Government
- Tools for knowledge
- Electoral processes
As always, we welcome project proposals in all the above areas, and in this Round we particularly welcome projects on media and freedom of information. This covers a range of topics, such as promoting citizen journalism, including in conflict and post-conflict settings; training journalists in legal know-how as well as personal safety and security, both physical and online; building peer support networks for freelance journalists; developing investigative journalism skills; understanding and advancing legislation for access to information; combating hate speech; developing public media literacy, with a focus on learning to digest material critically and to evaluate sources -- both online and in other media.
This is the Fourteenth Round to be launched by UNDEF, which provides grants of up to US$300,000 per two-year project. Proposals are subject to a highly rigorous selection process.