Limited funds available to fund participation of NGOs in the regional preparatory meetings of the Durban Review Conference

In line with the decision taken by the Preparatory Committee for the Durban Review Conference (PC. 1/12) requesting the High Commissioner to revitalize the voluntary fund for the Durban Review Conference to cover expenses related to the preparatory process, including the participation of NGOs, and taking into account the current amount of funds available to OHCHR for the purpose, the Office will provide limited funding to support the participation of selected NGO representatives to the upcoming regional meetings.

In this regard, OHCHR wishes to inform NGOs that a lumpsum of up to $1,500 per NGO will be provided to one NGO per country to support the participation of these organizations in each region.  

The following criteria will be used to select NGOs from the regions that will benefit from funding by OHCHR to participate in the regional meetings:

The NGO must represent one of the victim groups identified in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), namely, Afro-descendents, indigenous peoples, migrants, refugees and minorities;
The NGO must have been accredited to the WCAR and/or the Durban Review Conference;
The NGO must be involved in activities directed at giving follow-up to the implementation of the DDPA;
The NGO must have a grassroots membership.

NGOs interested in applying for this funding should forward a letter to OHCHR Anti-Discrimination Unit, indicating how they satisfy the above-mentioned criteria. In the case of Brazil, where the regional meeting is coming up very soon, NGOs will be selected and monies paid to them on ex post facto basis, that is, after the event. In that case, the application letters may be deposited with the Secretariat during the meeting in Brasilia (scheduled for 17-19 June 2008).

Further information, requests or clarifications regarding the above can be addressed to Mr. Richard Clarke, Anti-Discrimination Unit (rclarke@ohchr.org or fax +41 22 928 9874).