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Local Initiative for Justice

Call for proposals: Africa Month of Justice

24 octobre 2025

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What is Local Initiative for Justice?

Local Initiative for Justice is a workshop programme for civil society actors working on justice issues in Africa. It is intended for AfricTivistes members, partner civil society organisations and youth associations. They are invited to propose projects addressing justice issues in Africa. Local activity proposals should promote legal instruments and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

All projects must have a community focus, take a civic and non-institutional approach, include a digital component in their communication strategy, and have a budget of no more than US$2,000. AfricTivistes teams in the relevant countries will support project leaders. US$200 of the budget must be reserved exclusively for internet connectivity and online promotion of the activity to support the campaign. Each session must have at least 30 participants.

Objectives

The project aims to create a setting for dialogue, exchange, discussion and debate on human and peoples’ rights issues.

  • Five Local Initiative for Justice sessions are held.
  • A community of interest with at least 150 participants is created.
  • Five activity reports are published in the dedicated section of the AfricTivistes website.
  • A series of discussions and debates on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is launched.

The project

“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has faced considerable criticism throughout its existence. Political influence has often called the work of this body into question, and it has been considered to lack independence. Nevertheless, despite the Protocol establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights coming into force in 2004, the African Commission remains the principal body in the African human rights system. The very restrictive conditions for bringing a case before the African Court prevent victims from asserting their rights before it. Indeed, to better fulfil its protective mandate, the African Commission has relaxed its procedures over time, thereby improving access to it and its capacity to act.”

Nisrine Eba Nguema, The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and its human rights protection mandate

Created to help citizens by promoting human and peoples’ rights and ensuring their protection in Africa, the Commission remains largely unknown to the populations it serves.

Through this project, AfricTivistes aims to help people better understand the Commission’s mandate, role and work. Activities will involve more than 150 people across five countries, with leading legal experts and human rights activists taking part. With our partner AFRO/OSIWA, AfricTivistes will fund the proposed activities that are selected. Applicants must be willing to become human rights activists and/or be committed civil society actors — active members of an organisation, association or citizens’ movement. They must know how to use the internet, have an email address, be registered on a social media platform, and know how to use a computer and a smartphone (Android or iOS).

How the programme will run

The Local Initiative for Justice programme consists of five main sessions. They will be held in succession in the countries where projects are selected.

Each session will have two components:

  • Code4Justice: A training workshop on a human rights topic.
  • Justice Academy: A theoretical session and knowledge-sharing discussion with justice experts.

Applications

The call for projects is open from 20 May to 20 June 2019.

How to apply

To submit your project, click on the link, complete the online application form and provide the requested information. Applicants are not charged any participation or application fees. The programme is entirely free and fully funded if your project is selected.

Selection criteria

All applications will go through a selection process. Submitted projects will be assessed based on applicants’ profiles and proposed activities.

Participants must:

  • Be an association, civic organisation or a member of an organisation or association;
  • Work on social justice, human rights or related issues;
  • Have internet access;
  • Live in the country hosting the session;
  • Understand the issues involved in justice-related topics;
  • Be familiar with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights; and
  • Demonstrate motivation and an appreciation of the value of working as part of a network.

Selection

Successful applicants will be notified by email. They must confirm their participation to receive the agenda and further information about the programme.

For further information, email infos@africtivistes.org.

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