As outlined in the Australian Government's aid policy, An Effective Aid Program for Australia, the fundamental purpose of the aid program is to help people overcome poverty.
Effective governance is one of the five strategic goals identified to achieve this purpose. Enhancing human rights is recognised as a key component of the effective governance goal.
The aid program supports organisations in developing countries to enhance human rights through the Human Rights Grants Scheme.
This is a competitive annual funding scheme that provides grants of up to $100,000 to facilitate direct grass roots human rights interventions.
Grants are awarded to organisations and projects that help to:
- prevent or end human rights violations
- promote positive change in government policies
- monitor and report on human rights violations
- educate human rights victims, workers or defenders
- promote the implementation of international human rights standards
- strengthen human rights institutions and mechanisms.
Guidelines for the 2012–2013 round are available from 17 July 2012.
Expressions of Interest must be submitted to the relevant Australian diplomatic mission by 17 August 2012.