VOLUNTARY FUND FOR THE 1993 INTERNATIONAL YEAR
FOR THE WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
"INDIGENOUS PEOPLE - A NEW PARTNERSHIP"
The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 1993 the
International Year for the World's Indigenous People and has
opened a special Voluntary Fund to support projects which are
specifically designed for the International Year. Governments,
non-governmental organizations, foundations, businesses and
individuals may make contributions to the Fund for general support
activities or for earmarked, specific projects which are
consistent with the Year's objectives.
The purposes of the Year are to strengthen international
cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous people and to
raise public awareness of indigenous cultures through special
international and national activities.
This brochure is intended to provide information for those wishing
to contribute to the Fund and for the guidance of organizations
seeking grants.
During 1992, indigenous peoples participated in two Technical
Meetings to provide their views and ideas concerning the
directions for the Year.
At the meetings, indigenous peoples expressed the strong view that
they must be equal partners in any dealings with governments, and
that they must be treated with dignity and respect.
CONDITIONS
Projects are expected to benefit indigenous people who must be
involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of
projects affecting them:
* projects are to be planned and developed in full
con
sultation with indigenous peoples;
* projects are to be implemented by indigenous people;
* where it is necessary to engage staff to carry out a
project, every effort should be made to identify and employ
indigenous persons who have the special expertise and
understanding of the requirements of the project;
* as far as possible, indigenous networks should be used
to support projects.
* as far as possible, indigenous people should participate
in the evaluation of the projects.
Projects should focus on one of the following six priority areas:
* Human Rights;
* Development and Environment;
* Education and Culture;
* Health;
* Self-management and Self-government;
* Public Events and Information.
Innovative small scale projects are encouraged. Priority will be
given to project proposals from least developed countries. The
distribution of grants will reflect broadly the distribution of
indigenous peoples.
Projects which are set up to assist specific target groups such as
women, children, youth, the aged and the disabled are strongly
encouraged.
Projects should aim, wherever possible, to increase information to
indigenous communities about the United Nations.
Projects should aim to raise public awareness about the situation
of indigenous peoples and promote understanding of their
position.
WHO MAY APPLY FOR A GRANT?
Grants are intended to assist indigenous groups, so applications
will not be accepted from individuals.
The following groups may apply for grants:
* Indigenous groups or organizations;
* Organizations with a majority membership of indigenous
persons, where it is clear that the project has been
dev
eloped in consultation with indigenous people and that
they will be involved in the implementation, delivery
and evaluation of it;
* Organizations which do not have indigenous membership,
but are able to demonstrate clearly that the project has
been developed in consultation with indigenous people and
tha t they will be involved in the implementation,
delivery and evaluation of it. The only circumstance
where such an application would be successful, would be
where an accredited organization might apply on behalf of an
indigenous organization that was unable to apply itself, due
to such factors, for example, as isolation or lack of
administrative structure.
ENDORSEMENT BY THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
Projects should be endorsed by the indigenous community.
Therefore, applicant organizations will need to demonstrate that
they have the support of the indigenous people who will be
affected by the project. Applications should be accompanied by
letters of support from the indigenous community concerned.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Organizations should apply in writing to the Voluntary Fund for
the International Year for the World's Indigenous People, United
Nations Centre for Human Rights at the address below, stating the
aims and objectives of the organization and providing a clear
explanation of the proposed project.
It is in the interests of applicants to ensure that their
applications provide as much information as possible about their
proposed project.
The following questions are a guide to the type of information
which should be included in the application:
* What are the aims and objectives of the proposed
pro
ject?;
* Which of the six priority areas will this project focus
on?
* How will the project be carried out?;
* How will this project promote the purposes of the Year
and how does this relate to the guidelines for
projects stated above?;
* Is the project intended to have international, national,
regional or local implications?
* Who will benefit from or be most affected by this
project?
* What will have been achieved when this project is
completed?
Each proposal should be accompanied by a budget explaining how the
funds will be spent.
Applications will be assessed in the order they are received. As
the Year commences on 1 January 1993, applicants are encouraged to
submit their proposals as soon as possible.
APPEAL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
The theme of the Year is "Indigenous People - A New Partnership"
and the United Nations appeals to governments, concerned
organizations and individuals to contribute generously to this
Fund as a matter of priority, to ensure that indeed, a new
partnership with indigenous peoples becomes a reality during
1993.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE VOLUNTARY FUND
SHOULD BE SENT TO THE ACCOUNT OF
THE VOLUNTARY FUND FOR THE WORLD'S
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AS FOLLOWS:
UN Geneva General Fund - Societe de Banque Suisses Account
No. CO.590.160.1 (if the contribution is in US$)
or
Account No. CO.590.160.0 (if the contribution is in Swiss
Francs)
and addressed to
Case Postale 2770,
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
or
forwarded by cheque, payable to the United Nations to
Cashier's Office
Room 213
Financial Resources Management Services
United Nations Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland quoting as reference:
International Year for the World's Indigenous People
Account No IHB - 28280 - XXX
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS FROM THE
VOLUNTARY FUND FOR THE
WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
Secretariat International Year for
the World's Indigenous People
Centre for Human Rights
United Nations Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 GENEVA 10