The importance of independent funding for human rights organisations

Corra attended Scotland’s first annual human rights conference last week, organised by Human Rights Consortium Scotland. It showed the strength and solidarity of civil society organisations and Human Rights Defenders. Corra was pleased to be among the supporters of the event, which offered hope amidst critical human rights issues and a third sector experiencing deep and enduring challenges

We know that the public spending situation and access to independent funding are critical issues

Corra, alongside civil society experts and fellow funders, has been working for several years to develop the Independent Human Rights Fund for Scotland. This was in response to a clear call for new money that was independent of statutory duty bearers. The Fund launched late last year, making three initial grants, and earlier this month closed its first open funding round.

It was created to help realise and defend rights, and tackle issues affecting people’s daily lives. Its focus is on people whose rights are most at risk and supporting people to use human rights as a tool for change.We know how important it is that the Fund provides new resources, and doesn’t simply divert existing ones. We also expected demand to far outweigh the available money. When the first open round closed in early September it received 67 applications. We expect the Fund to be able to make around 6 – 10 grants.

Decision making for the Independent Human Rights Fund

Applications will be reviewed by Corra staff, before a panel makes the final decisions on funding. The decision-making panel includes people, including children and young people, with lived experience of barriers and challenges to fulfilment of their human rights. This participatory process is part of trying to reflect the PANEL principles of a human rights based approach in how the Fund works.

At Corra, we recognise what a critical time it is for human rights in Scotland. The groups and communities we work alongside are responding daily to rights issues, for example on poverty, support for disabled people, housing, food, racism or the impact of drugs and alcohol. At the same time organisations are doing vital long-term work to shape the policy and legal landscape. We’re committed to continuing to listen and to try and build the Independent Human Rights Fund for Scotland to help enable human rights to be used by more people to challenge powerful structures and create the change they need.

Further reading on the Independent Human Rights Fund:

• The Fund is supported by a partnership of: AB Charitable Trust, The Baring Foundation, The Binks Trust, Cattanach, Corra Foundation, The Robertson Trust and William Grant Foundation. It is hosted by Corra Foundation.
• A combination of people with lived and learned expertise are part of guiding the Fund and making decisions about where money is spent. This combination of expertise will also help understand the learning that comes from the Fund, and how this can be used to further support human rights in Scotland. The early stages of the Fund (lead-in grants and design of criteria) has benefited from advice from a group of people with diverse human rights expertise: Bruce Adamson, Darryl Gaffney du Plooy, Elaine Webster, Julie Christie, Zaki El-Salahi and Zara Todd.
• A panel will make the final funding decisions. The decision-making panel includes people, including children and young people, with lived experience of barriers and challenges to fulfilment of their human rights. This participatory process is part of trying to reflect the PANEL principles of a human rights based approach in how the Fund works. It was informed by desk-based research by Corra to identify key human rights issues and groups whose rights are at risk in Scotland. A role description was circulated through three organisations’ networks – Environmental Rights Centre Scotland, the Human Rights Consortium Scotland, and Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights). The panel includes people with a range of backgrounds, experiences and ages.
• New funder joins Independent Human Rights Fund for Scotland
• Participation and the Independent Human Rights Fund for Scotland
• From Skye to scoring: reflections from a decision-making panel member