EC allocates 461,648 euros for human rights protection
ISLAMABAD, February 17,2005 A delegation of European Commission to Pakistan on February 16 allocated 461,648 Euro to 5 local NGOs of Pakistan under its European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) micro-projects programme.
The Head of the delegation of the European Commission, Ambassador Ilkka Uusitalo, announcing the award said, “ European Union strongly believes in the vital role played by the civil society for enhancing awareness and improving the respect of human rights and the necessity of its involvement in democratic processes”.
He said EIDHR has been established to underpin and complement the policy of the European Union in the field of human rights and democratisation by providing financial support in the form of small-scale grants for the civil society.
EIDHR has provided the European Commission with an essential financial tool to support the efforts of the civil society in Pakistan, which has proved very active and enthusiastic in this field.
This is the second year that the European Commission has allocated grants under this programme in Pakistan, which will remain on the list of focus country for human rights external assistance until 2007 at least.
In 2003, a total of 345,257 Euro was granted for 10 projects focusing on violence against women and implemented across the country.
In 2004, the European Commission selected five projects after a strict process of evaluation of 101 applications.
The five NGOs, BEFARe, Centre for Civic Education, Consumers’ Rights Commission of Pakistan, Islamic Relief and Khwendo Kor will address access to justice for women, the role of the media in the democratisation process and training of women councillors.
The European Commission is pleased to continue its support for women’s rights while enlarging it to activities of particular importance in the context of the 2005 local government elections.
The delegation of the European Commission to Pakistan will launch a third call for proposals under EIDHR micro-projects programme in April 2005 for a total budget of 435,000 Euro.
In order to inform the NGOs about the programme and the conditions of application, the European Commission will organise in March 2005 a series of seminars across Pakistan.
Source: Frontier post
Date:2/17/2005
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