Capacity building support for Ukrainian Civil Society and independent media, including individuals 

Emergency Support to civil society and media in response to the Ukraine war (ESU) is a regional project run by ERIM in partnership with Human Rights House Tbilisi and funded by the European Union. The project aims to strengthen the resilience and effectiveness of Ukraine Civil Society, independent media, independent activists and journalists. You can find more information about the project here

ABOUT US 

Human Rights House Tbilisi (HRHT) is a membership-based organisation and unites the coalition of five Georgian civil society organisations, working in different fields of human rights. The member organisations of HRHT are the Human Rights Center (HRIDC), Rights Georgia, Georgian Center for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT), Sapari and Media Institute. According to the strategy of the Human Rights House Tbilisi, one of the main goals of the HRHT is the protection and empowerment of human rights defenders and human rights organisations, as well as awareness-raising about human rights issues. Based in Tbilisi, HRHT was registered in 2010 as a non-governmental organisation with the support of the Human Rights House Foundation. HRHT became a member of the Human Rights House Network in the same year. 

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Emergency Support to civil society and media in response to the Ukraine war (ESU) project is implemented by ERIM (Equal Rights & Independent Media – formerly IREX Europe) and Human Rights House Tbilisi (HRHT), funded by the European Union. The project aims to strengthen the resilience and effectiveness of war affected CSOs and civil society actors in Ukraine, including independent media and human rights defenders.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The overall goal of the call is to increase the capacity of Civil Society Actors (CS actors) affected by the Ukraine war by offering professional fellowships in Georgia focusing on professional development and resilience. The final goal of the activity is to support civil society actors to contribute to their communities to further strengthen Civil Society in war affected countries. 

Maximum duration of the fellowship: 6 months 

Mimunum duration of the fellowship: 3 months 

Period of implementation: October-March

During the announced program the candidates can apply for the following opportunity:

  1. Professional fellowship: applicants need to select/find a host organisation in Georgia and undergo the professional fellowship, in order to gain skills and/or exchange experience in the relevant field of civil society sphere. Please find the detailed requirements for this opportunity under section 1.1. 

Or

  1. Individual project: applicant needs to plan and implement individual project aiming to: support civil society development in various fields, protection of human rights & freedoms, rule of law & democracy, independent media and fighting disinformation. Please find the detailed requirements for the opportunity under section 2.1. 

WHO CAN APPLY?

  • Any Civil Society Actor who has been affected by full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia and is currently residing in Georgia, or is ready to temporarily reside in Georgia for the period of the fellowship;
  • We define a civil society actor as a human rights defender or human rights activist as a person who, individually or with others, acts to promote or protect human rights, and access to independent information. This can include: journalists & independent media workers (such as bloggers/vloggers, producers, editors, and all categories of workers at independent media), environmentalists, whistle-blowers, lawyers, participants in direct action, or just individuals acting alone. Also, people who support the work of CSOs or civil society actors such as accountants and administrative staff of CSOs.

Eligibility & Requirements: 

Applicants should : 

  • Be age 18 or older;
  • Possess the English language at least upper intermediate/advanced level (writing, speaking);
  • Be able to reside in Georgia during the program period; 
  • Have at least 1 year working  experience in civil society/media sector; 

Section 1.1. Professional fellowship/internship 

In order to apply for the professional fellowship section, the applicants should: 

  • Select & identify a Georgia-based organisation (Civil Society Organisation) as a host organisation, get the prior confirmation from the organisation and submit this information together with the application; 
  • The application should include a name of the mentor or supervisor, who represents the selected host organisation. Consultancy fees for the mentor can be included in the application budget. 
  • Please note that we do not receive applications with host organisations, that represent religious or political organisations.
  • Host organisations must be legally registered and, upon request, provide documents confirming their legal registration;
  • Selected host organisation should be ready to sign an agreement with the Human Rights House Tbilisi and applicant;
  • Candidates should describe their motivation, clearly define plan for the  internship at host organisation, match the plan of the work and future professional development to organisation’s activities and show sustainability of the professional development opportunities for their or their community’s future. 

Section 2.1. Individual Projects

In order to apply for the individual project section, the applicants should: 

  • Select & identify a relevant topic related to the professional development of the CS actor or contributing to better foster and strengthen development of their local civil society community; 
  • The application should include a name of the mentor or consultant who has expert knowledge in the topic. Consultancy fees for the mentor can be included in the application budget. 
  • CV of the consultant should be sent together with the application that demonstrates expertise on the topic. 
  • Selected topic for the individual project must be in line with the applicant’s professional development plans. 
  • Candidates should describe their motivation, choose the relevant consultant/mentor for the project, clearly define plan for the  individual project, match it with their future professional plans and show sustainability of the professional development opportunities for their or their community’s future. 

Please note: applicants are allowed to submit only one application. For selection purposes, the HRHT team will communicate with the host organisation (for more details see attachment 1) or mentors/consultants (for more details see attachment 2) through the designated contact information.

Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted. 

WHAT COSTS ARE ELIGIBLE?

  • Fellowship salary (For internships/fellowships only);
  • Accommodation/living costs in Georgia; 
  • Costs related to the project implementation (for individual projects only); 
  • Salary for the consultant/mentor/supervisor;
  • Basic health insurance for the duration of the opportunity;
  • Burn-out prevention activities (ex: psychotherapist, yoga classes, etc.);
  • Georgian and English language courses.

In case of relocation, additionally:

  • Inbound and/or outbound ticket (economy class);

We kindly ask you to include all the requested services and costs in the budget line (including language courses or burn-out prevention activities) in order to effectively plan the program. In case of questions/technical issues you can contact us at [email protected] or [email protected].  

Maximum amount of the stipend including all costs: 6000 EUR gross

Application deadline: October 1 2023, 21:00 TBS time

Approximate start and end dates of the opportunity: October 15, 2023 to April 15, 2024

Maximum duration of the fellowship: 6 months 

Mimunum duration of the fellowship: 3 months 

Period of implementation: October 2023 – March, 2024

HOW TO APPLY?

If you are interested to apply for the professional internship/fellowship program, please download the form by clicking attachment 1 or follow the link:

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1zu2_T9YIxLIYYUIat6I3MiWWlMc2z9rm

If you would like to apply for the individual project please fill out attachment 2 or follow the link for download:

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1j0SZuXfVVItuID0TFZ13mBvzbMaJYQ6v

To apply for the call, please send filled-in application form and all the requested documents and information on email [email protected] or alternatively on [email protected] with subject line – “ESU – Capacity building – Professional Development Opportunity” by October 1, 2023 21:00, TBS time.