2023 May 18 Gwangju Democracy Fund Project

The May 18 Foundation is currently accepting May 18 Gwangju Democracy Fund Project applications for activities that support and advocate for democracy and human rights in the name of Gwangju and the May 18 Democratization Movement.

May 4, 2023

Chairman, The May 18 Foundation 

Ⅰ. Overview

1. Title: 2023 May 18 Gwangju Democracy Fund Project  

2. Project duration: July–November 2023 (Final report and settlement documents to be submitted by November 13, KST)

3. Application period: May 4–June 4, 2023 (KST)

※ Applications for May 18 Emergency Support are accepted throughout the year (projects recommended by the screening panel or outside experts, etc.)

4. Eligibility: Overseas civil society organizations, etc.

5. Application submission: Submit completed application form via e-mail together with any relevant documents.

6. Documents required for application: 

- Application form (includes project plan, tentative budget, introduction to your organization) and attachments (if any)—1 copy each.

* Applications for May 18 Emergency Support may be submitted during the competition period or at any other time throughout the year.

: Prepare and submit a 1 to 2-page of application form (General Information and Project Summary); applications may be filed by the recommending body on behalf of your organization.

- 1 electronic copy of each document. 

- 1 copy of Registration certificate of your organization (legal entity) and the Articles of Association (if applicable)

- Submit applications and inquiries to: oasis@518.org 

7. Announcement of results: June 22, 2023 (Via public notice on The May 18 Foundation English website, http://eng.518.org) 

※ Dates subject to change according to application screening schedule

Ⅱ. Scope

1. Type: Short-term (non-recurring) project fund

2. Fund details and amounts:

2.1. The screening panel may suggest changes to the project, project plan, budget, and team size during the screening process.

2.2. Labor costs and general administration costs are excluded from the scope of the funds.

2.3. One organization may only submit one application for a single project; projects already receiving funds from other agencies or organizations are ineligible.

2.4. All fund recipient projects must submit a final report.

3. Funds disbursed: Application screening (June) followed by signing of written agreement and disbursement according to agreed timeline (100% of budget)

4. Areas: ① Strengthening the authority of laws and furthering human rights ② Democratization movements based on local communities ③ Gender equality ④ Freedom of the press and communication of information ⑤ Reinforcing government—civic society interactions ⑥ Supporting democratic election procedures ⑦ Reinforcing civic movements and participation ⑧ Human rights activism and monitoring ⑨ Female participation in politics ⑩ Youth rights ⑪ Democratization-related arts and culture ⑫ Other democratization-related movements

※ Select 1 area when filling out the project application (multiple selections not permitted)

Ⅲ. Screening Criteria

1. Project plan: Suitability, originality (initiative), expected benefits

- Suitability of the project: Conformity with the fund purport and method, well-developed grounds

- Originality: Originality in project details and approaches

- Potential to further the public interest: Potential for self-initiated participation and growth, appropriate plans to share and disseminate outcomes

2. Operation of the organization: Financial operations, capacity to operate project, decision-making systems

- Appropriateness of budget: Budget is appropriate to the project size 

- Reliability of applicant: Reliability, project implementation ability, and transparency of finances

3. Bonus points to applicants scoring high marks: High-scoring organizations receive bonus points when filing future applications

Ⅳ. Project Plan Criteria (Detailed)

1. Is the project appropriately in line with the May 18 Spirit?

2. Will the project have a valid impact?

3. Does the project promote inclusion? 

4. Is gender equality furthered? 

5. Is a clear forecast established for successful implementation?

6. Does the applicant have prior project experience?

7. Is the project sound in terms of concept and explicit content? 

8. Are the project outputs commensurate with its inputs?

9. Is the project expected to remain sustainable after its initial implementation? 

Ⅴ. Exclusion Criteria

1. Activities that do not promote or stimulate democracy

2. Applications seeking additional funding for activities already in progress

3. Applicants already receiving funds from the state, local governments, public agencies, etc., through similar projects

4. Organizations or individuals openly supporting a given political party, and/or engaged in activity at party councils or organizations

5. Organizations engaged purely in religious and/or for-profit activities

6. Unofficial organization lacking an administrative and/or accounting structure for monitoring and reporting purposes

7. Redundant application submitted by similar organization (including different organizations with similar members and/or structures)

8. Cases in which the project is implemented by an organization other than the organization that submitted the application

9. Events to commemorate or promote an organization

10. Projects consigned to another organization by the winning organization

11. Activities whose sole focus is research and/or education related

Ⅵ. Fund Disbursement Will Be Suspended or Reclaimed in the Following Instances:

1. An applicant has received funds using false or illegal methods

2. The applicant is unable to achieve the stated purpose of the project, or uses the funds for activities outside the stated purpose

3. The applicant abandons the project, or fails to commence the project without justifiable cause

4. Other violations of the regulations

5. Organizations abandoning projects mid-way and/or those to which disbursement of funds has been suspended may not be eligible for funds from the foundation for the following 5 years

Ⅶ. Other

1. Materials (banners, booklets, etc.) produced during the project must indicate that the project is jointly implemented or sponsored by the May 18 Foundation

※Attachment: Application Form (1 Copy) END.

Background

After three years of discussion with 200 human rights activists and numerous other people from various countries in Asia, on May 18, 1998, the Asian Human Rights Charter was proclaimed in Gwangju, which is a symbol of the democratic movement. The Asian Human Rights Charter proclaims Asian people’s aspiration to live in a world where human dignity and peace are guaranteed and expresses Asian people’s determination to fight for human rights and freedom together.

Although the Asian Human Rights Charter was promulgated more than 20 years ago, some governments continue to engage in unjust violence against their citizens in many parts of Asia, including Myanmar, Hong Kong, Thailand, Cambodia, and Xinjiang, China. 

In 2018, 20 years after the Asian Human Rights Charter was promulgated, the Asian Human Rights Committee in Hong Kong and the May 18 Foundation diagnosed the situation of human rights activism that was heating up in some Asian countries that are under authoritarian regimes.

And the May 18 Foundation supports all those who work to improve human rights and democracy since 2000.

The May 18 Foundation

https://518.org/