The Community Resource Exchange (CRE) is calling for proposals for the first round of facilitated collaborations and financial assistance grants under its three year pilot. Download here the application form and watch the webinar below to find out how the CRE works.

Collaboration requests for financial assistance are only processed three times a year and applications for this first call must be received by Sunday, 15th August, 2021. All proposals will be reviewed and decisions are expected to be made by late-September/early-October 2021.

Collaboration requests without financial assistance are processed as they come in. Once we receive your request, we will contact you as soon as possible to reply to inquiries, clarify doubts, and initiate collaboration.

If you are interested in collaborating through the CRE, or requesting financial assistance, please fill this form and send to cre@rightsindevelopment.org. If you are submitting a request for financial assistance, then please make sure you fill out all fields in this form. 

We are currently setting up a secure form to submit the application online, but in the meantime please check Section C of the application form for further advice on digital security.

Examples of possible kinds of engagement

The nature or shape of any collaboration or support will depend on the needs and interest of the community affected by international investments and development projects, and the extent to which CRE collaborators are able to engage. Examples of strategies the CRE could facilitate collaborations on include:  

• Awareness raising about legal rights, for e.g.  through songs, theatre and community radio; 
• Strengthen community organisation and mobilisation around an international development project or investment;
• Power mapping and identifying funders in a business project that affects the community;
• Advocacy work with development banks, governments and international institutions;
• Scientific or technical testing and analysis, e.g. review of technical project documents, soil testing, economic analysis, etc;
• Communications and media outreach, including amplification of campaign and messaging through journalists, allies and media collaborators;
• Learning exchanges with other communities who have fought the same funder or company;
• Resources on protection and security for human rights defenders (resources can be information, technical assistance, small grants, urgent actions, etc.);
• Potential access to funds under periodic calls for proposals (maximum US$5,000) or support to access other sources of funds.

The above are just examples of possible kinds of engagement. We are open to collaborating on other strategies led by communities affected by development activities or international investments.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications for financial assistance will only be considered if:

• There is a fully filled Collaboration Request Form.
• The request relates to specific communities defending their human rights in the face of specific development or international investment activities.
• Activities involve the community and are community driven.  

Priorities for providing financial assistance through CRE Collaboration Grants

Proposals for financial assistance that meet the following criteria will be prioritized:

• The proposed activities will be led by community-based organizations.
• Includes an endorsement or reference from an existing member or partner of the Coalition for Human Rights in Development, or another CRE collaborator.
• The requester is interested in sharing experiences and lessons learned with other communities.
• There is a public development finance connection, or an interest in exploring if there is one.
• The proposed activities would likely leave the community in a stronger position with less risk of harm.
• The community’s financial need would likely not be met without our support.
• The request comes from a marginalised  group or constituency. 
• Funds are for community activities/expenses rather than external salaries/compensation. 

Process to review proposals for financial assistance

We have a limited amount of funds to distribute as financial assistance. In the past, the Coalition for Human Rights in Development has only been able to provide financial assistance to about 30% of applications. 

The following process will be used to determine which requests for funds are directly fulfilled by the CRE:

• The CRE secretariat  will review all proposals for financial assistance, and check that all eligibility criteria are met.
• They will summarise eligible proposals, and score them based on the priorities listed above. They may reach out to requesters or allies to vet the proposals. 
• Regional Grant Working Groups will review all eligible proposals for financial assistance.
• The eligible proposals are discussed within the Regional Grant Working Groups in a strategy session, to award financial assistance, and determine if there are other ways in which the CRE can support the communities.

Please note: Even if you are not awarded a grant, the CRE can still work with you to identify relevant collaborators. These collaborators can help you advance your work. Additionally, sometimes we may be able to refer you to other small grant funders if we are not able to meet your request for financial assistance.

If you want to learn more about the CRE please see here or contact: cre@rightsindevelopment.org