Human Rights Grants (HRG) program in Tajikistan


The Human Rights grants program will support local and international organizations working in Tajikistan on acute Human Rights issues. The program will provide cofunding opportunities to selected projects related to child rights, freedom of press, human rights in custody, prevention of gender-based violence and the rights of migrants/refugees.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Tajikistan
Human rights
Conflict & fragility
Gender
Governance
Human rights (incl. Women's rights)
Conflict prevention
Sexual & gender-based violence
Legal and judicial development
Media & freedom of information
01.10.2023 - 30.11.2025
CHF  2’000’000
Background The Human Rights situation in Tajikistan remains challenging with more restrictions imposed on civil society liberties after the social discords in Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast in 2022. The repressive policies and lack of sufficient support to civil society activism resulted in a shrinking space and limited opportunities for Human Rights organizations. The still-active human rights groups need further support to continue implementing their ideas in practice and for providing meaningful information about the Human Rights situation in the country to the international audience (UN bodies). 
Objectives Smaller-scale targeted contributions to ongoing projects in the field of Human Rights allow the Swiss Cooperation Office to map the actors and initiatives in this field and to identify new partnerships and entry points for a re-engagement in the Human Rights domain. 
Target groups Human Rights NGOs and media organizations, International human rights organizations, UN Human Rights institutions working in Tajikistan
Medium-term outcomes
  • The results and learnings of supported pilot initiatives inform the design of a new program in the domain of Human Rights
  • The human rights situation of selected groups of vulnerable people targeted by supported projects is improved
  • Selected civil society organizations enhanced their efficiency in program management and validated their partnership capacities
Results

Expected results:  

  • At least five projects selected and supported on the Human Rights issues
  • Universal Periodic Review discussions held between the state and civil society organizations. Alternative report is presented by Tajik civil society organizations to UN bodies
  • Training program for the prison staff is endorsed and include the key aspects of Human Rights
  • Tajik Human Rights activists (incl. journalists) improved their capacities to undertake the professional and human rights activities


Results from previous phases:  

  • The first seven Human Rights treaty reports were produced by Tajikistan with support from the Swiss program from 2000 to 2006
  • The law on prevention of family violence was developed and adopted in Tajikistan with support from the Swiss program in 2013


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Various non-governmental agencies


Coordination with other projects and actors

Access to Justice project in Tajikistan

Civil Registry System reform project in Tajikistan

UN Spotlight Initiative, UNICEF child protection program, Internews freedom of press project, etc

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’000’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    789’041 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   2’000’000
Project phases Phase 1 01.10.2023 - 30.11.2025   (Current phase)