Increasing Accountability and Improving Human Rights Protection in Türkiye’s Penitentiary System

• Announcement Date: 15 January 202
• Deadline for submitting Concept Note (Stage I): 15 February 2025
• Stage I Results Announcement: 28 February 2025
• Deadline for Full Proposals (Stage II): 31 March 2025
• Final Results Announcement: 15 April 2025
• Proposed Project Start Date: 1 May 2025

Objectives

Overall Objective of the sub-granting:
To support prison reform through the engagement of civil society.
Specific Objectives:

1. Encourage local CSOs to enhance the rights and reintegration of individuals in prison.
2. Focus on advocacy, legal aid education, and public awareness campaigns
3. Reach approximately 350 individuals in prison through these initiatives.

Eligible Entities

To qualify for funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Legal Status: Applicants must be legally registered as non-profit civil society organizations (CSOs) or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in compliance with Türkiye’s legislation
• Minimum Registration Period: Organizations must have been registered for at least three years
• Expertise and Capacity: Demonstrated experience in project management and expertise in criminal justice, human rights, or social rehabilitation
• Established Relationships: Proven collaborations or existing relationships with prison authorities (preferrable)
• Organizational Capability: Sufficient organizational capacity to implement proposed actions effectively.

Eligible Activities

Projects and initiatives eligible for funding include:

• Legal Support: Tackling rights violations and addressing instances of torture in prisons.
• Monitoring Activities: Conducting prison visits, desk-based monitoring, and producing analytical reports with actionable recommendations
• Advocacy Campaigns: Implementing campaigns and lobbying for legal and policy reforms to improve prison conditions
• Educational Initiatives: Offering workshops and training for prisoners and their families on their rights and reintegration processes.
• Awareness-Raising Efforts: Publishing studies, organizing events, and distributing informational materials to highlight prison issues.
• Reintegration Support: Facilitating social reintegration programs and promoting cultural and artistic activities
• Access to Justice Services: Providing legal aid and advocacy for prisoners.

Submission Guidelines: Applications must be submitted electronically in English to the following email address - rightsinprison.tr@gmail.com. Questions regarding the call can be sent to the same email address before 5 February and will be addressed within five working days. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.