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Grant support and upcoming conferences
CAPACITY BUILDING
National Advocacy and Media toolkit for CSOs on Aid Effectiveness in Accra, Ghana
Source: Better Aid, www.betteraid.org
A Better Aid national advocacy and media toolkit has been developed for use in the run up to and during the Civil Society Forum and the OECD Third High Level Forum (HLF3) in Accra, Ghana on 2-4 September 2008. This is intended to support national advocacy and media activities, which can be conducted by the Better Aid position paper signatories and other concerned CSOs at the national level. The toolkit has a number of templates that can be used and adapted according to national activities, in the run up to the CSO Forum and the OECD HLF 3, in Accra. The media toolkit is available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.
Funding Opportunities
Annual US $1.5 Million Humanitarian Prize
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation: 2009 Hilton Humanitarian Prize
The Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize of US $1.5 million is awarded annually to an established nonprofit, charitable, or non-governmental organization that is making extraordinary contributions toward alleviating human suffering anywhere in the world. The prize is not a grant based on future goals, but an award for recent and historic accomplishments. The Foundation is currently accepting nominations for the 2009 Prize from throughout the international community. Individuals interested in nominating organizations should contact the Foundation or visit the website for nomination information. Nominations will be accepted from August 1 to November 3, 2008.
Social Entrepreneurs are Offered Support
Skoll Foundation: Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship
The Skoll Foundation's mission is to advance systemic change to benefit communities around the world by investing in, connecting, and celebrating social entrepreneurs. The Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship support social entrepreneurs whose work has the potential for large-scale influence on critical challenges of our time: environmental sustainability, health, tolerance and human rights, institutional responsibility, economic and social equity, and peace and security. Within these issues, the awards focus on social entrepreneurs working in five critical sub-issue areas that threaten the survival of humanity: climate change, nuclear proliferation, global pandemics, conflict in the Middle East, and water scarcity. The award is US $1 million paid out over three years. The next application deadline is November 4, 2008.
Projects Focused on Conservation Supported
Whitley Fund for Nature: Whitley Awards
The Whitley Awards recognize conservation leaders from around the world who are applying sustained effort to conserve the natural environment. The awards have previously honored efforts to protect endangered ecosystems and species, promote sustainability, and influence environmental policies. The awards are designed to provide the winner with international recognition, financial support, and an international network through which to solicit advice and support. Each year up to nine awards of GBP 30,000 are given, plus the Whitley Gold Award, worth GBP 60,000 over two years. Applications are due October 31, 2008.
Environmental Projects Addressing Problems Supported
Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe: SECTOR Grants
The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) seeks to assist in solving environmental problems in Central and Eastern Europe. REC promotes cooperation among non-governmental organizations, governments, businesses, and other environmental stakeholders, and supports the free exchange of information and public participation in environmental decision making. Types of grants include local grants for local environmental problems and non-governmental organization development; national grants for earmarked topics such as climate change, biodiversity, and brown issues; and regional grants that support cross-border cooperation. The third round of SECTOR Grants has begun and is targeting the countries of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia (eligible only for Regional Grants), the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia (including UN administered Kosovo). The third round begins accepting applications on September 1, 2008, and runs through March 1 of 2009, while award amounts range from EUR 35,000 to 90,000 based on the country of support.
Support for Civil Society Efforts Offered
Trust for Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe
The Trust for Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe promotes the development of civil societies in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Priorities consist of accountability of public institutions, including watchdog activities, public policy, and advocacy; civic engagement and community mobilization, including public awareness and communication; solidarity in social life, including help for economically and socially marginalized groups; and a supportive environment for civil society, including partnerships and collaboration. Three types of funding programs are offered: Cross-Border Initiative; Community Foundation Development Fund; and In-Country Programs. A project application form along with a letter of intent is required to be submitted via email when the call for proposals opens in October 2008.
Conferences and Trainings
International Discussion on Global Climate Change and Water Resources
2nd World Aqua Congress
The Aqua Foundation promotes scientific and social knowledge creation and diffusion regarding water and its vital role in human survival. The 2nd World Aqua Congress will discuss "Global Climate Change and Water Resources." The congress will focus on current practices and how to evolve guidelines for the future. Themes and topics include availability, management, and quality of water resources; implications of global climate change; challenges to sustainable water management; water and industry; public policy, and accountability; water solutions, education, and public awareness; and desalination technology. The congress will provide a common platform for decision makers, policy and law makers, users, technology providers, service providers, and stakeholders, including NGOs. Early registration is open through October 25, 2008. The congress takes place November 26-28, 2008, in New Delhi, India.
Conference Addresses Sustainability through Multiple Perspectives
CFC Conference 2008: Our Communities. Our World.
Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) is the membership organization for Canada's network of 164 community foundations. The CFC's mission is to build stronger communities by enhancing the philanthropic leadership of community foundations. The 2008 conference has more than 50 concurrent training sessions all divided into five distinctive thematic areas: Getting it Done; More than Dollars; The Bigger Picture; Philanthropy's Changing Role; and Burning Issues. Specific topics this year will range from affordable housing and Aboriginal youth to responsible investment and social innovation. In addition, there will be a youth forum offered during the conference that will give youth the opportunity to meet, learn from, and be inspired by community foundation colleagues and civil society leaders from across the world. The conference takes place November 7-9, 2008, in Montreal, Quebec.
UN High Level Event on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
25 September 2008, New York, USA
The United Nations (UN) has called a heads of state meeting on the MDGs during the UN General Assembly. UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon said, “For the first time ever - governments, businesses, civil society organisations, NGOs and faith groups will all convene to mark the halfway point to the MDGs, take stock of progress, and agree on additional steps in which the international community will take to accelerate action.” For more information, click here. |
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