Deadline: 31 March 2014
Open to: organisations, as well as individuals
Grant: maximum amount of funding per project is 50,000 EUR
Description
This call aims to generate new ideas about how National Dialogues provide a distinct approach and a means of political settlement during and after war or political crisis. Externally mediated peace processes are increasingly being criticised by national actors accusing international mediators of partisanship and illegitimate interference. By contrast, National Dialogue processes offer a useful approach to promote national consensus and legitimacy. National Dialogues serve to bring in the various and diverging interests of all stakeholders during processes of political transition; can be understood as a kind of “creative space” within which ideas of national unity, reconciliation and peace-building can prosper; cannot replace the need for democratic elections and an effective constitution, but can provide a normative and practical framework conducive to building trust and enhancing confidence in the conflict-stricken state.
The Berghof foundation invites interested applicants to submit proposals that:
- explore or compare basic conditions, strategies and techniques to encourage nonviolent conflict transformation through National Dialogue settings;
- seek to strengthen the inclusivity of National Dialogues by increasing the participation of dialogue-sceptical actors and marginalised groups;
- reflect on practical experience and conceptual ideas regarding the role of third parties (outsiders or insiders) in supporting the design or implementation of National Dialogues through facilitation, capacity-building, technical support, etc.;
- provide insights on how identity-based (such as inter-ethnic and inter-confessional)settings can serve as integral parts of National Dialogues;
- shed light on case-and issue-related experiences of how to link National Dialogue formats with sub-national (regional, local) initiatives;
- compare strengths and weaknesses of different National Dialogue processes and how best to distinguish between the various set-ups.
Eligibility
- Organisations, as well as individuals, may apply;
- There are no geographical restrictions on applicants;
- Preference is given to projects that demonstrate a matching contribution of funds.
Restrictions and Exclusions:
- Proposals should not be for supporting or advancing an already existing project, but rather for a new project with a fresh new concept with innovative ideas;
- PhD and Master’s research (with the exception of the Georg Zundel Scholarship);
- Student bursaries, tuition fees, study grants and continuing education support;
- Research that is entirely theoretical and void of a practical dimension;
- Projects that only examine or analyse violent political conflict, but lack a transformative focus;
- Purely practice-based projects;
- Projects that advocate military solutions;
- Research limited to ‘hard power’ approaches for responding to political violence;
- Work that has a political, religious or gender bias or prejudice;
- Research on inter-personal violence, domestic violence or violence against children, unless there is an explicit link to the context of political violence;
- Any type of construction, capital investment projects or library support.
Grant
The maximum amount of funding per project is 50,000 EUR.
Application
More information on the application process and guidelines on how to apply, you can find HERE. Initial applications for this call can be submitted through the Berghof Foundation’s online grant application form from 17 February 2014 until 31 March 2014 (12:00 pm Berlin time, UTC+1).
If you have any questions about the application process, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions page. If your question is not answered there, send an email to grants@berghof-foundation.org.
Read the official call for proposals.
