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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS’ ANNUAL ACADEMY 2022

DEADLINE: 10 October 2022

A. BACKGROUND

The National Coalition for Human Rights Defenders in Kenya is now accepting applications for the Annual Human Rights Defenders’ Academy. Deadline: 10 October2022.

Defenders Coalition which is the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders works primarily for the protection of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Kenya and was formed in 2007 to enhance the safety and security of HRDs’ and their operating environment. Defenders Coalition plays a critical role of watching over HRDs who are at risk because of their human rights work.

The organization shields the HRDs from risks in the following ways:

1) Supportive Policy, Legal and Institutional Frameworks: Defenders Coalition has positioned itself as a collaborative leader towards (re)formulation and enforcement of appropriate policies, laws, institutions, and cultural norms that touch on the safety, security and wellbeing of HRDs. Defenders Coalition seeks to contribute to securing a conducive operating environment for HRDs, and in which respect for human rights is accorded to all.

2) HRD Protection and Safety: Facilitating timely and appropriate responses to all forms of threats or insecurities to HRDs through strengthening the capacities of HRDs and other service providers, more so, duty bearers, lawyers, medical personnel, and counsellors among others. Defenders Coalition intervenes in a timely way whenever HRDs are at risk and deliberately establishes strategic partnerships with complementary referral systems to ensure a systems approach to HRD support.

3) Socio-Economic Wellbeing of HRDs: Defenders Coalition aims to facilitate HRDs to build their socio-economic resilience and attain improved quality of life. Such support seeks to ensure that HRDs are self-sufficient, easily access the necessities of life and live in dignity. Defenders Coalition strengthens the capacities of HRDs to engage in productive activities to increase their self-reliance and income security.

4) Institutional Excellence: Internally, Defenders Coalition seeks to consolidate its position as a dynamic, effective, and sustainable organization. The focus is to further strengthen/ diversify our resource base, human resource, and leadership capabilities, as well as our internal systems, policies, and structures.

For seven years, the Defenders Coalition has organized the convening for human rights defenders, journalists and activists to reflect on the environment and concerns that have been there through the year as well plan for the coming year. Participants are also exposed to skills enhancement, networking and public awareness sessions. The HRD Annual Academy runs for five (5) days with participants being trained on:

1. Physical and Digital security management.

2. Safe and effective monitoring, documentation, and reporting of human rights violations.

3. Psychosocial debriefing.

Participants must be willing to learn in a fast-paced programme and should have the capacity and commitment to maximize their benefit from the programme.

B. DATE

The Academy will be held between 28th November 2022 – 2nd December 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya. The Call for application is open to HRDs from all the 47 counties of Kenya working on all thematic human rights themes including:

a) Women and girls’ rights

b) Democracy and governance

c) Pease and Security

d) Civil and political rights

e) Social and economic justice

f) Environmental and natural resource management justice

g) Rights of minority groups

h) Any other human rights issues

C. SELECTION CRITERIA

Relevance: The course is primarily targeting human rights defenders who are actively involved in the work of promoting human rights and can apply the knowledge gained from the course in their daily community organizing.

Added value: Defenders Coalition will prioritize applicants who have not undergone similar extensive training before Geographical location: Our aim is to select a diverse group who can provide an array of perspectives and share experiences. Applying individuals must be based in Kenya from the 47 counties and should mainly be carrying out human rights work.

Gender balance: It is important for us to strike a fair gender balance.

Language: A good level of English and Kiswahili is required to follow the training.

D. BENEFITS

1. Participants will be able to take part in the workshop over a period of five days, with Defenders Coalition, to ensure that learning is tailored to the needs of the group.

2. The participants will define and work on their own project throughout the course of participating in the workshop and receive support and mentorship in realizing their project vision.

3. Participants will also become a member of our alumni network after they have gone through the whole cycle, including access to mentors, creatives, safe sister signal group, a mailing list, e-learning opportunities, and priority in subsequent events.

4. Daily Accommodation for the entire period

5. Access to full day conference facilities for the training period

6. A transport reimbursement at the Defenders’ Coalition rates.

7. A certificate of participation.

8. Will get the opportunity to attend the Annual Human Rights Defenders Awards feting Ceremony on 2 December 2022.

E. APPLICATION

Selection into the Workshops is highly competitive. We encourage you to apply early and put your best foot forward.

Phase 1: Fill out this application form by 10th October 2022.

Phase 2: Selection

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Phase 3: Preparation for the Workshop.

If you are selected to attend the academy, you must demonstrate availability for the period as well as ability to learn.

Phase 4: Academy Convening

The workshop will take place from the 28th November – 2nd December 2022 unless otherwise communicated.

For any inquiries, please contact academy2022@defenderscoalition.org

Applicants should fill in this application form