Call for applications for the May 18 Gwangju Democracy Fund

- The May 18 Foundation expanded it’s role to support democracy and human rights activists on site.

Guidelines on How to Apply for the May 18 Gwangju Democracy Fund

The May 18 Foundation kicks off the May 18 Gwangju Democracy Fund Project in 2023 to offer substantial support to overseas democracy activists who need international solidarity and assistance. It will receive the applications or recommendations of organizations that strive to enhance human rights and democracy and those (or areas) in need of emergency support.

The Foundation will receive applications in 11 sectors including the rule of law, human rights, and civic movement and participation until early June 2023 and provide approximately KRW 35 million to 5~6 organizations selected. The amount and frequency of subsidies will be decided by reviewing applications and decisions by the committee.

Overseas NGOs for democracy and human rights protection, and organizations (or areas) in need of emergency aides may apply for the subsidies. Recipients will be selected through regular or ad-hoc screenings of applications.

The May 18 Gwangju Democracy Fund will be raised with citizens’ interest and participation. The May 18 Foundation plans to tap into diverse sources of funding, such as proceeds from its fund operation. Subsidy recipients will be selected by the Secretariat of the May 18 Foundation and the committee involving international human rights activists in consideration of necessity, urgency, and on-site impact.

Application period

May 4~June 4, 2023

※ Candidates in urgency may apply or be recommended for subsidies any time of the year.

Recipients announcement

June 22, 2023

※ The announcement date is subject to change depending on the evaluation process.

Link to the guideline and the application form

http://eng.518.org/(click here)

Background

On May 18, 1998, over 200 NGO activists from across Asia gathered in Gwangju, South Korea, and declared the Asia Human Rights Charter after ardent discussions for over three years. Unveiled in Gwangju, the icon of democratization movements, the Asia Human Rights Charter epitomized Asians’ aspirations to live in a world where human dignity and peace are assured and their commitment to joining hands in strife to promote human rights and freedom.

Over 20 years have passed since the declaration of the Asia Human Rights Charter but people are still suffering unfair violence by their governments in many parts of the region, including Myanmar, Hong Kong, Thailand, Cambodia, and Xinjiang (China).

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the charter’s declaration, the Asian Human Rights Committee in Hong Kong and the May 18 Foundation drafted an annex statement in 2018 to assess the current status of human rights movements in Asian countries under authoritarian regimes and suggest future directions. Entitled the Asian Declaration on the Rights to Justice, the Rights to Peace, and the Rights to Culture, the statement is the valuable outcome of over two years of discussions among the committee members.

The May 18 Foundation has conferred the Gwangju Human Rights Award every year since 2000 as a way of fighting back against unfair political power and institutions and forming solidarity with those who are oppressed and marginalized. It also conducts activities in solidarity and issues statements on human rights at home and abroad.

The May 18 Foundation operates the May 18 Gwangju Democracy Fund and provides emergency subsidies in the name of “Gwangju” and “May 18” to support human rights movements across the globe. Moving forward, it will play a more active role in promoting democracy and human rights the world over. 

+ 2023 May 18 Gwangju Democracy Fund Project (Click)