Proposal for a Directive on Commission-led action regarding digital services regulation, introduced by the Commission.
The Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (ifa), under the auspices of the Federal Foreign Office, has launched the Elisabeth Selbert Initiative (ESI) in 2020, providing a crucial lifeline for human rights defenders (HRDs) facing acute danger.
The ESI targets HRDs as defined in the UN Resolution on Human Rights Defenders (A/RES/53/144), offering a scholarship-funded protective stay for a maximum of six months. State actors are excluded from funding.
Unfortunately, HRDs targeted by the ESI often face threats due to their peaceful human rights work, including being targets of smear campaigns, arbitrarily detained, abducted, or even killed. The ESI aims to provide a safe haven for these individuals, offering them the opportunity to continue their vital work unhindered.
There are no specific guidelines for the final report (contents, deadlines) for the protective stay. However, the funding guidelines for the ESI are available on the ifa's website at www.ifa.de/foerderungen/elisabeth-selbert-initiative/.
As for the funding, while there are no guidelines for the approval amount, it is important to note that the ESI offers a scholarship-funded protective stay, suggesting that financial support is provided during the stay. The funding guidelines, including the approval period, can also be found on the ifa's website.
The protective stay can be spent in Germany (Program Line 1) or in another safe country (Program Line 2). The contact for application is [email protected].
It's also worth mentioning that there are other regulations regarding the application, which can be found on the ifa's website. Additionally, some project funding programs have maximum project durations of 12 months, with specified maximum amounts and financing shares detailed in their rules.
Furthermore, there are guidelines for the Bundesförderung für effiziente Gebäude (BEG) in Germany, which have been in effect since 2021 and continue with some programs maintained under provisional budgets in 2024. Specific parts, like the individual measures funding, have new versions expected to start in February 2024 and generally remain valid until replaced by updated guidelines. Another example is the DAS funding guideline, effective since December 2024 and valid until December 31, 2026.
In conclusion, the Elisabeth Selbert Initiative provides a vital service to human rights defenders facing acute danger. With no specific guidelines for the final report, funding form and type, and approval amount, the focus remains on providing a safe haven for these individuals to continue their important work. For more information, please visit www.ifa.de/foerderungen/elisabeth-selbert-initiative/.
