Defending civil society, democratic rights, and our fundamental freedoms can be challenging, let alone having to do it while under “lockdown” practicing social distancing in the midst of a global health crisis spreading rapidly across the world. In times like these, solidarity and social compassion play the most important role. To help connect and inform the alliance and civil society during this time, we will be collecting information, resources, and support to share.
We will be updating this page as this crisis unfolds and as new information is shared. You can also contribute with useful information by contacting us at:
All important reminder that we must act together even as we stay apart to overcome the #COVID19 pandemic! #stayinghome #solidarity pic.twitter.com/R466V7gFA0
— Lysa John (@lysajohn) March 16, 2020
| CIVIL SOCIETY RESPONSES |
Civil society and human rights analyses:
- UN experts: States should not abuse emergency measures to suppress human rights (The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights)
- Coronavirus is a historic trigger event and it needs a movement to respond (Waging Violence)
- The coronavirus pandemic can empower us to demand change (Al Jazeera)
- COVID-19: Emergency powers must be kept in check (Article 19)
- COVID-19 highlights the failure of neoliberal capitalism: We need feminist global solidarity (APWLD)
- COVID-19 and the disability movement COVID-19 and the disability movement (International Disability Alliance)
Donor messages:
- Ford Foundation: Support to Grantees (Ford Foundation)
- Advice for Grant Makers (Philanthropy)
- Barr Foundation (Barr Foundation)
- Philanthropy's response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) (CANDID)
Civil Society statements and messages
| RESOURCES |
Now that we all have to be physically distant and isolated from each other, our daily routine will have to change. These resources offer tips and guidance on dealing with isolation, working from home and carrying on our fight for civil society while practicing social distancing.
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Working from home? Some resources to help you: |
- Online activism for the time being (The Verge)
- Preparing for Coronavirus crisis: as organizers, it’s time to do what we do best (Bay Rising
- Coronavirus Tech Handbook
- Responding to the Coronavirus Outbreak: Resources to Help Nonprofits (Philanthropy)
- Coronavirus and Climate Strikes (Afrika Vuka)
- How to care for your community in a crisis (350 org)
- Comprehensive non-profit and philanthropy resources
- The benefits of citizen engagement during a crisis
- Citizens on Cyberattacks: This new report is an international snapshot of the public’s awareness of nation-sponsored cyberattacks. It signals that while the public may not be able to give the details of specific nation-sponsored cyberattacks, they are very much aware of cyberwarfare and overwhelmingly view it as a serious concern.
- COVID-19 toolkit for civil society partners: Emergency powers and crisis responses
- Civil society is critical in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic
- People's tech for people's power: This guide, which is tailored to the South African context – but applicable to other societies – will equip you with the info needed to protect yourself against government and corporate spying.
- Essential resources for Nonprofits (DonorBox)
following the guidelines of @WHO and not taking to the streets in larger crowds. but we want to keep the momentum going and so have created #ClimateStrikeOnline
— dominique palmer (@domipalmer) March 13, 2020
join me and my friends by solo striking! #FridaysForFuture @GretaThunberg @AnnaKernahan @isabelle_ax @elijahmckenzee pic.twitter.com/k8eyELlpt0
Do you need help in shifting your campaigns and movements to the online world? 350 Org are giving you the chance to ask a digital organiser to help you!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CIVIL SOCIETY
- The Urgent Action Fund COVID-19 Crisis Fund
- Elton John AIDS Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund: provides grants to fund solutions to addressing the specific challenges faced by those living with AIDS during this time. Projects should focus on mitigating the threat of COVID-19 to HIV/AIDS-positive individuals and/or increasing access to HIV healthcare programs.
- LGBTQ Funding Resources: LGBT Funders has compiled a substantial list of rapid response resources for organizations and individuals seeking to address the unique impact of COVID-19 on the global LGBTI community.
- Peace First: rapid response grants to address COVID-19. The grants will go to young individuals and activists launching projects to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 around the world.
- National Geographic Covid-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists: funding for journalists all over the world working to cover COVID-19 and its impact in their communities. Grants prioritize projects that aim to deliver news and information to underserved communities.
- Pen America Writers Emergency Fund is providing grants of $500 to $1,000 to writers who demonstrate an acute financial need due to the pandemic.
- The International Women’s Media Foundation is taking relief fund cases from women-identifying journalists who have been economically impacted by the pandemic. They currently accept cases in English, Spanish, French, and Chinese for up to $2,000.
- The Soze Foundation Artist + Activist Fund: supporting artists and activists whose work has been directly impacted by the coronavirus. It is currently only accepting applicants based in the US but is exploring ways to provide grants to activists and artists globally.
- The Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation: Coronavirus Fast Response Fund: grants to CSOs working in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine on projects to mitigate the effect of the pandemic. Projects should focus on rapid assistance for vulnerable groups, preserving good governance and accountability, countering fake news, and more broadly adjusting to the new reality that coronavirus has created.
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy Fund: grants to non-profit organizations working to combat the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic among vulnerable populations.
- GrantStation page on Grant Opportunities Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic - searchable by region, target population, theme of interest, etc
- Candid’s pop-up page of funding opportunities for COVID-19 (mostly for the US but with a small “international aid” section at the bottom)
- TechSoup: tools to support remote work
- Open Technology Fund’s
- The Open Road Alliance is offering charitable grants to organizations responding directly to COVID-19
- Free Press Unlimited: Legal Defense Fund and Reporters Respond
- Gender Links': Rapid Response Funding: COVID and Women’s Rights
In the midst of this pandemic, it is very easy to find ourselves face to 'fake news' and disinformation about the virus. Open Democracy has shared this quiz that will help you spot common Coronavirus disinformation circulating on the internet.