New funding opportunity for emerging young leaders in the disability sector – International participation project

Grants are now open for emerging young leaders in the disability sector to attend the 7th session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in New York from 10 – 12 June 2014. This is a unique professional opportunity and young delegates will be provided with training and mentoring to build their capacity to participate at the UN. These grants will provide an important opportunity for the next generation of young disability rights advocates to represent the Australian disability sector at the UN.

This program:

1.  Begins with a training workshop in Sydney on 22 May 2014. The workshop topics include:

  • What is the COSP? What is the role of civil society at the COSP?
  • What will I do at the COSP?
  • What will I need to prepare for the COSP?

2.  The delegates will fly to New York where they will network with some of the key players in the international disability movement, learn about strategic advocacy and its application to domestic advocacy and visit important UN organisations.

3. Go on to attend the civil society forum (date TBC) and the Conference of States Parties from 10 – 12 June 2014 at the UN.

4. When the delegates come back there will be a post-event debrief in late June to help incorporate learnings into disability advocacy at the national level

The theme of the COSP will be advised as soon as it becomes available.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for young emerging leaders in the disability sector. Preferably, the young applicant will be between 18 – 30 years of age. DPOs and DAOs are strongly encouraged to nominate young persons with a disability.

How much funding is provided?

The Commission will provide grants for the young delegates to attend the training workshop, the COSP and the post-event debrief. Applicants are required to submit a budget including a breakdown of costs such as food, accommodation and flights.

Successful delegates are encouraged to raise some funds from sponsorship.

More information about grants can be found here: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability-international-participation-funding-program-faq.

Application process

DPOs/DAOs must supply the following information in the application:

  • Information about the organization
  • Name of organization
  • How the delegate’s participation will positively impact on the work of the DPO/DAO
  • Information about the young applicant
  • Name
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Does the applicant have a disability?
  • Email
  • Phone number
  • Qualifications (if any)
  • Relevant achievements or academic awards
  • Relevant experience in the disability sector
  • What the applicant thinks they can contribute to the event
  • The applicant’s knowledge of the UN process, the COSP and theme of the COSP (if available)
  • Preparation and post event reporting plans
  • Budget
  • Proposed funding sought
  • Other sources of funding available

Please submit the application to disability@humanrights.gov.au.

Selection process

The delegates will be selected by a Selection Committee on the basis of the written application. Successful applicants will be notified in early May.

Criteria for selection

Applicants must be nominated by a DPO/DAO.

Applicants should preferably be between 18 to 30 years of age.

Preference will be given to applicants with a disability.

The Selection Committee will seek to ensure a gender balance in the delegation

Applicants must be able to attend the pre-training workshop in May, the COSP in June and the post-event debrief in late June. Applicants must also be willing to undertake relevant post-event activities.

Applicant’s knowledge of the COSP, the theme of the COSP (if available) and the work of the UN CRPD treaty body

Applicant’s knowledge of the Australian disability sector

Budget proposal. Co-contribution to costs will be viewed favourably

Any questions?

If you have further questions about this program, please send an email to: disability@humanrights.gov.au

Applications close COB Wednesday April 30, 2014.

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