KASAMA 2011: THE SEARCH FOR INNOVATIVE PHILIPPINE HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVES
An international group of partners is once again calling for proposals for innovative Filipino human rights projects under the program called Karapatan sa Malikhaing Paraan or KaSaMa, with up to 1 million pesos per project up for grabs.
KaSaMa 2011 was launched on 25 August 2011 at the Instituto Cervantes in Malate to encourage the development of innovative human rights initiatives in the Philippines.
In partnership with the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, six international partners: the Australian Embassy, the British Embassy, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the New Zealand Embassy, the Spanish Embassy, and the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines - have pledged to support KaSaMa 2011. Meanwhile, the Ateneo Human Rights Center, Ateneo School of Government, and the Caucus of Development NGO Networks have formed the KaSaMa 2011 secretariat.
Initiated in 2009, KaSaMa is a response by these partners to traditional and conventional modes of human rights initiatives. It is a funding initiative to support and encourage the development of innovative Filipino human rights projects. Human rights advocates nationwide are invited to submit proposals for projects that will address human rights issues, including in relation to civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.
From the 212 proposals received in the 2009 round of KaSaMa, 12 of the most innovative projects were funded by the international donors, with total funding of 15 million pesos being granted. These projects include providing paralegal training for detainees, using film and other visual art to mount a human rights awareness campaign, setting up community-based human rights monitoring mechanisms, and enhancing journalistic skills for human rights monitoring.
KaSaMa is open to all registered private, non-profit, Filipino organizations based in the Philippines. The KaSaMa guidelines and application forms, as well as information about past KaSaMa projects, can be downloaded at www.kasama.ph. Proposals can be written in English or Filipino, and submitted via email, courier mail, or personally handed to the secretariat. The deadline for submission of entries is October 28, 2011.
KaSaMa will also be conducting nationwide road shows to promote KaSaMa and create awareness of local human rights issues.
For inquiries, please contact the KaSaMa Secretariat at (02) 920-2920, (02) 426-6001 local 4644 or email at [email protected].