The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting people across the globe in many ways. A range of legal and justice problems are emerging from measures being rolled out to control movement of people and quarantining them to check the spread of the virus. These include people losing their jobs (with businesses suffering losses), women, children and LGBTQI+ people seeing a rise in sexual and gender-based violence (because homes are not always safe spaces), lack of access to food (as a result of lack of wages for people in the informal sector) or health services (poor, stateless, those in prisons etc). Yet others are being asked to vacate their houses and dwellings if they are unable to pay rents. Some are spiraling down into huge debts to meet basic demands and pay rents. The fear of the ‘other’ is rising with increased cases of racism, hate speech and violence against certain ethnic groups (like Chinese) or nationalities as well as migrant workers returning to their hometowns. There are other people who are at an increased risk of being infected by the virus owing to their inability to ensure social distancing – those in prisons, protective custodies and homes, training schools (for juveniles) and IDP camps. In developing countries like Myanmar with poor medical facilities, the impact on the poor and vulnerable is likely to be exacerbated. The state and several CSOs are already overwhelmed by the efforts and resources needed to limit the spread of the virus. Given this, issues of discrimination, inequality and lack of access to basic services are likely to take a backseat.
It is in this context that MyJustice is launching a call for proposals to rapidly respond to key justice issues emerging out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response to it. This calls for innovative solutions to “justice problems” in a context where physical access to communities might become increasingly challenging.
Interested applicants should review the Call for Proposal and Application Guidance:
· Call for Proposal and Application Guidance (PDF)
These guidance notes are designed to help applicants complete the proposal application templates provided for submitting their proposals. It is important to read these notes before and during the process of completing the application. Failure to provide information as requested or in the requested format may lead to disqualification of the application.
All applications must be made using the templates provided. Applicants are provided with three templates to complete:
· Template A: Technical proposal (Word)
· Template B: Financial proposal (Excel)
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis depending on when the proposals are submitted. Proposals must be submitted electronically to: myjustice@mm.britishcouncil.org by 1700hrs Yangon time before 31 May 2020 at the latest. MyJustice will accept applications received at any time up to the last date of submission. Please note that MyJustice has limited funds for the rapid response grants and you are encouraged to apply at the earliest. Once the funds are exhausted, no further grants will be made even if the last date for application has not ended.