Dignity Network Canada (DNC) is a national coalition of 48 member organizations involved in or interested in the human rights of people around the world, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). DNC provides opportunities for Canadian civil society organizations and their global partners to connect, share and advocate together on SOGIESC-related human rights issues. DNC is a national, non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Dignity Network Canada is a partner with Equitas in the new Act Together for Inclusion Fund (ACTIF).
Equitas advances equality, social justice and respect for human dignity through transformative human rights education programs in Canada and around the world. To deliver on our mission, Equitas’ programming contributes to the empowerment of individuals and groups to challenge inequality and discrimination and take action to respect, protect and defend human rights.
Launched in 2020, the Act Together for Inclusion Fund (ACTIF) is an outcome of significant efforts made by Dignity Network Canada (DNC) and its members to advocate for greater Canadian support for advancing the human rights of LGBTQ2I people internationally. The launch of ACTIF therefore marks a highly anticipated and historic moment for Canadian funding for international LGBTQ2I initiatives. Funded by Global Affairs Canada and managed by Equitas in partnership with DNC, ACTIF aims to enhance the respect, protection and fulfillment of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, two-spirit and intersex (LGBTQ2I) persons in countries in the Global South, and specifically those eligible for Official Development Assistance. The Fund will strengthen a network of Canadian LGBTQ2I organizations and build solidarity with local LGBTQ2I CSOs with additional, or previously inaccessible, opportunities to implement programming in the Global South.
Project
As part of this partnership, DNC has received funding to support a range of supports for its members involved in ACTIF. This Request for Proposals is to identify an external consultant to conduct an environmental scan of government and non-government financial supports for international SOGIESC-related human rights work for Canadian civil society organizations.
These documents will provide a foundational resource for both ACTIF and its grantees through the program, 2021-2026. Data demonstrating the current situation of funding available for international LGBTQ2I human rights will also serve as an important tool for evidence-based advocacy for increasing sources and amounts of funding in the future. The scan should reference such current data as recent reports from the Global Philanthropy Project as well as similar reports done looking at funding for international feminist and gender equality work.
The contract start date will be May 15 with a report due by October 15. DNC has set up an Advisory Group of individuals with experience in philanthropy and government funding who will be guiding this project over the period.
Contract details
Goal: Develop a high-level environmental scan of current funding environment for Canadian CSOs interested in SOGIESC-related international development and human rights work. This scan would look at both government and non-government funding sources in Canada for this work.
*SOGIESC = Sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics, also sometimes under the umbrella term “LGBTI” in international contexts or “LGBTIQ2S” in Canadian contexts.
Information Needs: DNC and Equitas are particularly interested in information on potential amounts available and sources of funding, but would we also like to understand or analyze some of the modalities – such as gaps in themes or regions targeted, flexibility of funding, funding for non-registered organizations working on human rights globally. We are interested in also understanding some of the challenges and constraints of current private and government funding models, such as reporting requirements. We are also interested in understanding who, broadly, influences funding in this area and any opportunities for matching or collaborative funding.
Activities:
- Develop a methodology for the environmental scan exercise.
- Collaborate with Equitas and DNC staff and the Advisory Group on the process.
- Produce a report (including Executive Summary) on the current funding situation that will be used by Equitas and DNC members for future planning and development processes as well as evidence-based advocacy efforts. The report should be in a format that could be replicable in the future.
- At least one presentation or webinar to Equitas and interested DNC members on the findings from the report.
Deliverables:
- A final report (between 10 and 20) pages including an Executive Summary that will be shared with all ACTIF participants and interested DNC members.
- The report should provide some recommendations to both Equitas and DNC around the development of additional supports to grantee organizations.
- A presentation back to ACTIF participants and DNC members on the overall findings and recommendations.
Budget: $10,000 plus HST
Timeline of work: May to October
Proposal requirements:
- Please describe how you would undertake the above-mentioned activities, as well as any additional activities, within the required timeline and budget.
- Please provide a workplan and timeline with check-in points with the Advisory Group, already set up by DNC.
- Please describe previously completed contracts/experience that have prepared you for this project.
- Please describe your experience in the areas of environmental scans, mapping exercises, philanthropy, institutional fundraising, government funding, particularly around international assistance or human rights.
- Please provide contact information of a previous client for whom you have undertaken similar work.
- Please keep your submission to under 3 pages (not including CV)
- Explain how you might integrate French language materials and resources
Please submit to info@dignityinitiative.ca by 5:00PM EDT Friday, April 30th.
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