Article originally published on Norwegian Human Rights Fund website – accessible here
The Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund provides emergency financial assistance to civil society organizations (CSOs) under threat or attack and rapid response advocacy and resiliency grants. They recently published a toolkit that provides practical support and inspiration for human rights organizations, facing restrictions and challenges in the contexts they work in.
The toolkit contains guiding steps and questions for advocacy planning, 10 key tactics to apply in restrictive and difficult contexts, as well as additional resources and numerous examples. It includes chapters on the use of regional and international mechanisms, addressing stigmatization, using digital technologies, best practices of Well-Being, among others.
The Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund is a consortium of the following 7 international non-governmental organizations: Freedom House, ICNL, Frontline Defenders, CIVICUS, FORUM-ASIA, People in Need, and SILC
In a situation where human rights defenders and CSOs around the world are deeply concerned about the increase of restrictive measures, threats and intimidations on civil society due to the COVID-19 crisis, the toolkit seems as relevant as ever, even though it was created before the outbreak of the pandemic. Thanks to its practical and specific approach, the guiding steps and examples can serve as an empowering inspiration for the work of CSOs in many parts of the world.
Download the toolkit for Advocacy in Restricted Spaces here or view it below.
FINAL_COMPLETE_Lifeline_Toolkit_for_CSO_Advocacy_in_Restrictive Spaces_June_2020