4Metrica
Defending and Promoting the Rights of the Elderly in Cuba and Understanding the Use of Food Policy to Exert Political Control
$139,732
To create an observatory that utilizes a rights-based approach to monitor processes, actors, and policies related to aging populations while providing guidance to organizations who render services to the elderly. The project will equip academics to conduct research that offers information on elderly care in Cuba and Latin America by publishing books, articles, blogs, and audiovisual materials for public and expert consumption. It will also facilitate dialogues between academics and civil society organizations seeking to deliver care to the elderly.
Arlenica, Arte, Lenguaje e Investigación para el Cambio Social
Strengthening Tools to Measure Governability and Social Conflict in Cuba
$97,040
To strengthen analysis about governance in Cuba through the development of an index and to raise awareness about citizen discontent and demands through the creation of a social conflict observatory. The organization will develop these two tools to compare Cuba’s political system with other countries in the world, analyze its performance in areas such as the rule of law, political participation, effectiveness, political stability, transparency, and economic freedom.
Asociación Árbol Invertido
Promoting Independent Thinking and Women’s Rights in Cuba
$120,000
To promote greater freedom of information and independent writing about cultural issues and gender rights. The group will produce its online independent magazine, which stimulates debate around cultural and social issues. Journalists, columnists, writers, poets, and photographers who are unable to print their work in official media will have the opportunity to publish their opinion pieces in the magazine. The grantee will add a second online publication that will focus on gender issues to foster debate and monitor the situation of women’s rights.
Asociacion Civil Cronos
Investigating and Raising Awareness about Inequality
$96,593
To strengthen the capacity of Cuban journalists to carry out investigative journalism and reinforce transnational ties between independent Cuban journalists and their peers in Latin America. The project will group Cuban journalists together with regional counterparts to investigate inequality on the island and in Latin America. Through this interaction and exposure to journalistic experts, independent Cuban journalists will improve their investigative skills while also raising awareness of the repressive reality on the island.
Asociacion Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos
Supporting Cubans to Raise International Awareness of Human Rights Violations
$165,550
To raise international awareness of the human rights situation in Cuba. The organization will collect data and analyze trends in human rights violations to produce informative reports that hold the government accountable for its repressive behavior. It will utilize the reports to conduct evidence-based advocacy in international institutions to raise awareness of the human rights situation on the island.
Universal Rights
Reporting Attacks Against Freedom of the Press
$38,460
To document and raise awareness of aggressions against independent media and to provide support to journalists facing attacks. The group will collect information about freedom of the press violations and publish them in its monthly bulletins and reports that denounce actions taken against media professionals. The group will disseminate this information and to organizations promoting and defending press freedom in the world. It will also provide legal and financial support to journalists and bloggers who face press freedom attacks.
Center for a Free Cuba
Supporting Human Rights Defenders in Cuba
$80,000
To strengthen resilience among civil society activists, political prisoners and their families, and victims of repression in Cuba through the provision of humanitarian assistance. The organization will work with its partners to distribute humanitarian assistance to political prisoners, their family members, and other members of Cuban civil society. To increase access to uncensored information, it will also assist human rights defenders in documenting life in Cuba and in conveying information to outside organizations and actors.
Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)
Opening Democratic Spaces with Entrepreneurial Activity
$292,838
To develop objective economic analysis and reform ideas by independent, pro-democracy think tanks; and to expand openings in civic spaces for market-oriented organizations to support a growing private sector in Cuba. The Center will support two think tanks to add to the growing body of independent economic analysis of the Cuban economy and society and to form consensus on reform ideas that can create space for democratic shifts. Additionally, the Center will assist partners in creating and strengthening spaces for economic and civic openings following significant changes in the structure of the economy and openings for market-oriented, private sector entrepreneurs.
Christian Solidarity International
Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) in Cuba
$84,466
To strengthen the capacity of civil society and members of religious communities to document and report on freedom of religion and belief (FoRB) violations in Cuba. The organization will support a core group of documenters to build their capacity and standardize their documentation. Using the information gathered, the organization will generate international awareness on Cuba by submitting emblematic cases to the office of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on FoRB, and conduct an advocacy visit to Mexico.
Clovek v tisni, o.p.s. (People in Need)
Strengthening the Capacity of Independent Media Professionals
$125,000
To strengthen the capacity of independent media professionals. The organization will provide Cuban beneficiaries with online and offline training and technical assistance to produce uncensored content on social, political, economic, and cultural developments in Cuba. It will also build the technical capacity of independent organizations throughout Cuba to carry out initiatives aimed at increasing the free flow of information.
Universal Rights
Promoting Access to Independent News and Analysis
$140,000
To provide readers with greater access to high quality independent news, opinion, and analysis about Cuba. The organization will produce uncensored information on political, social, and economic developments in Cuba, including outside of Havana and more remote areas of the country. It will use multimedia formats such as podcasts and video interviews to bring information to its audiences.
Universal Rights
Generating Awareness of the Human Rights Situation of Marginalized Populations in Cuba
$23,820
To strengthen respect for the rights of marginalized populations through cultural education and advocacy, documentation of human rights violations, and monitoring of local policymaking processes. This project will document and produce reports on human rights abuses against marginalized populations while conducting trainings and educational and advocacy workshops to insert these themes in critical discussions. It will also strengthen an initiative to monitor local government policy processes relating to diversity and inclusion.
Conexion Democratica
Promoting Pluralistic Dialogue on the Rule of Law
$95,000
To generate ideas and political analysis that facilitate a wide-ranging dialogue within civil society in favor of human rights, sociopolitical inclusion, and the rule of law. The organization will produce publications examining where public institutions are falling short of their human rights commitments and make recommendations for improvements. Other scholars will have the opportunity to respond with alternative perspectives and civil society will be continually consulted for feedback. Research results will be disseminated through meetings, online conversations, and launch events.
Democratic Governance
Promoting Local Accountability and Citizen Oversight
$144,373
To promote greater interaction between citizen activists and community members as they seek solutions to their local problems. The project will support a group that will collect information, document issues affecting communities, and bring these issues before local authorities to demand accountability. It will also produce a newsletter to raise awareness of these problems and connect citizens with its initiatives and activists.
Directorio Democratico Cubano, Inc.
Promoting Greater Access to Uncensored Information to Cubans
$650,000
To promote greater access to uncensored information and to facilitate communication among activists inside and outside the island. The organization will continue producing and broadcasting independent news on its in-house radio station, aimed at providing Cubans with an independent source of information about events taking place in Cuba and around the world. The organization will also support civic activities carried out by grassroots activists.
Editorial Hypermedia Inc.
Fostering Independent Thinking and Writing among Artists and Intellectuals
$101,803
To promote greater freedom of expression and independent writing among Cuban intellectuals. The organization will compile and distribute censored books produced by Cuban exiled writers to intellectuals on the island. The organization will encourage independent writing among its target audience by conducting two calls for writing submissions and organize thematic dossiers and online events with authors to foment greater discussion on socio-cultural and political topics.
El Estornudo Weekly, A.C.
Fostering a Pluralistic View of Cuban Reality
$180,000
To promote freedom of expression and a plural and independent information space in Cuba. The organization will cover stories of Cuban reality on the island and of the Cuban diaspora. It will focus on making information available to broad audience in Cuba and will develop alliances with media abroad to reach a larger, international public.
Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba, Inc.
Promoting Citizen Empowerment and Accountability on Human Rights Violations
$142,526
To fight impunity for human rights violations and strengthen citizens’ capacity to resolve conflicts peacefully. The organization will support partners on the island to document the actions and publicly expose perpetrators of human rights violations. The grantee will document cases of social conflicts and support a network of community activists to train citizens to resolve these conflicts peacefully. To complement this, the group will produce and disseminate a weekly newsletter, special reports, and audiovisual materials to raise awareness about the human rights situation.
Fundacion Espacio Publico
Investigating Cuba’s Sharp Power in Latin America
$65950
To promote greater regional awareness of Cuba’s power projection and the need for a greater presence of Cuban civil society in Latin America. The organization will monitor Cuba’s efforts to influence academic, intellectual, and civil society spaces. It will produce various research publications and disseminate the results. The organization will participate in regional academic forums and collaborate with Latin American civil society organizations.
International Platform for Human Rights in Cuba
Training New Generations of Journalists to Strengthen the Alternative Media Ecosystem in Cuba
$77,346
To train young journalists to support their professional development, strengthen their investigative skills, and cultivate links with other journalists in the region. In addition to providing training in investigative journalism techniques, the project will establish transnational teams to exchange best practices and develop solidarity networks. After receiving training, project participants will work together to publish investigative pieces in their own media outlets as well as different regional publications.
Universal Rights
Promoting Democratic Ideas and Values through Independent Reporting and Analysis
$99,600
To produce news and analysis related to issues of public interest and to strengthen the institutional capacity of the organization. The group will expand its production capacity to maintain a timely coverage and analysis of events that dominate the public discussion in Cuba. It will use different types of media, including video, podcasts, photography, illustrations, comics, and live streams to reach a wider audience.
Democratic Norms, Ideas and Values
Investigating Cuba’s Sharp Power in Latin America
$65,950
To promote greater regional awareness of Cuba’s power projection and the need for a greater presence of Cuban civil society in Latin America. The organization will monitor Cuba’s efforts to influence academic, intellectual, and civil society spaces. It will produce various research publications and disseminate the results. The organization will participate in regional academic forums and collaborate with Latin American civil society organizations.
Grupo Internacional para la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa en Cuba, Inc.
Supporting Independent Unions, Self-Employed Workers, and Labor Rights in Cuba
$230,000
To promote labor rights and strengthen the capacity of Cuba’s independent labor movement. The organization will provide independent labor activists with assistance to forge a more coordinated labor movement. In addition, the organization will work with a nascent association of self-employed workers to promote labor rights in the informal sector. It will also conduct an international information dissemination and awareness campaign on the situation regarding labor rights.
Humanist Political Culture & Democracy, Corp.
Supporting Cuban Artists to Raise Awareness of Repression
$58,762
To promote freedom of expression through art and raise international awareness, especially in artistic circles, of the repression that Cuban creatives confront on a regular basis. The project will support independent Cuban artists’ projects to advocate for greater freedom of expression while also disseminating their work to a regional audience. It will also connect artists living in exile with regional counterparts and academics to raise awareness in creative communities of the repressive reality on the island.
Institute for War & Peace Reporting
Fostering Collaboration Among Independent Media
$145,000
To strengthen collaboration among Cuban independent journalists to promote freedom of expression. The grantee will work with several independent journalists and media organizations to foster mutual understanding and solidarity among them and to strengthen their skills on the use of social media and support a greater role of women in media. The organization will also encourage and support collaborative efforts among journalists affiliated to different media outlets.
Instituto Cubano por la Libertad de Expresion y Prensa
Promoting Access to Local News through Community Reporting
$163,008
To promote greater, uncensored access to information in communities throughout Cuba and to strengthen the capacity of community journalists. The organization will support independent community micro-press agencies to produce news bulletins for local residents. The organization will provide its counterparts in Cuba with the tools necessary to design and print these news bulletins.
Instituto de Comunicacion y Desarrollo
Regional Strategy for Visibility and Advocacy Regarding Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Cuba
$79,744
To generate informative reports, cultivate spaces of exchange and reflection, and conduct international and regional advocacy to raise awareness of the lack of access to public information and challenges to freedom of expression. The project will analyze trends and practices of internet censorship to produce two reports that will focus on these issues in Latin America. The organization will convene activists and experts to explain the reports’ findings and raise awareness of threats against freedom of expression on the island.
Instituto Politico para la Libertad Peru
Strengthening the Democracy and Leadership Skills of Youth Civil Society Activists
$85,000
To provide youth civil society activists with greater knowledge on leadership and democratic and civic values. To build capacity, the organization will provide its beneficiaries with a four course training series on topics ranging from political analysis and human rights to digital communication techniques. The organization will also provide its beneficiaries with technical support to prepare reports which it will then use to disseminate before regional and international mechanisms. Finally, it will build the technical and logistical capacity of civil society initiatives to carry out community projects.
International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights
Strengthening the Capacity of Human Rights Defenders to Promote and Protect their Human Rights
$217,000
To enhance the knowledge and advocacy skills of Cuban human rights defenders. The organization will build the capacity of human rights activists in using the Universal Human Rights System to protect and defend their rights. In addition, the organization will continue to offer legal support in presenting cases of rights abuses before the Universal and Inter-American Systems. It will also engage in direct advocacy before the European Parliament and European Council and provide human rights activists with psychosocial assistance.
Inventario Inc.
Promoting a Culture of Transparency through Data-Based Journalism
$72,446
To promote access to and use of public data. The organization will collect and systematize information from multiple sources to produce databases that inform the public and other journalists’ investigations. It will also utilize its platform to educate citizens on matters of transparency and their rights to access public information and open data.
Investigacion e Innovacion Factual A.C.
Integrating Cuban Journalists into Regional Networks
$160,000
To support and integrate young Cuban journalists into a Latin American network of digital media initiatives and to promote discussion and awareness about Cuban reality in Latin America. The organization will select, train, and mentor Cuban journalists on how to conduct investigative reporting, collaborate with regional peers, and publish stories for digital media outlets.
Latin American Center for Nonviolence
Fostering New Democratic Leadership
$73,600
To strengthen the leadership skills and organizational capacity of emerging social leaders and entrepreneurs in Cuba. The grantee will conduct a training workshop for its partners and foster the exchange of experiences with peers from Latin America and Europe. Training participants will expand the reach and membership of their organizations, produce and distribute a bulletin, carry out community events and advocate for greater freedom of association and entrepreneurship opportunities on the island.
Libri Prohibiti
Providing an Independent Platform for Cuban Cultural Creators
$42,590
To strengthen civil society and promote pluralistic and democratic values by supporting contemporary independent cultural creators and facilitating the free circulation of information. The organization will utilize its online platform to publish essays from independent Cuban writers, artists, and intellectuals. It will also support independent cultural creation by sponsoring a literary contest, producing books of visual art, and dossiers of essays contemplating social and political issues in contemporary Cuba.
Democratic Norms, Ideas and Values
Promoting Civic Values and Entrepreneurship in Marginalized Communities
$77,293
To promote civic values and entrepreneurial skills in marginalized communities. The organization will support community centers across the island to provide civic education and entrepreneurship classes to citizens in marginalized communities, with a focus on women. Upon completion of courses, each center will provide guidance to project participants who are looking to start their own businesses or civic initiatives. The centers will also serve as networking spaces for participants and community members to share ideas and opportunities.
National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI)
Strengthening Independent Civil Society Organizations’ Capacity
$500,000
To enhance the ability of Cuban independent civil society (ICSOs) and other relevant actors to build informed advocacy agendas and refine communication strategies based on the voluntary and independent opinions, needs, and perceptions of Cubans on the island, the Institute proposes to support public opinion polling through the implementation of nine large-scale research panels. In coordination with the Institute, CubaData will utilize the polling data to analyze Cubans’ needs, perceptions and beliefs about topics of public interest. The Institute will train on-island ICSOs and other actors such as self-employed (cuentapropistas), women, artists, and religious groups in strategic scenario planning, interpretation of CubaData survey results and tactics for strategic advocacy and communication initiatives. The Institute will also support the development of an alliance of regional civil society organizations, with a demonstrated commitment to advancing rights and freedoms in Cuba, to serve as an advisory group that will help guide the panels and disseminate the results of the surveys at the regional level.
PEN American Center, Inc.
Raising Awareness of Political Uses of Sports Coverage
$200,000
To mobilize the international artistic and literary community to advocate for artistic freedom and defend artists at risk of repression. The project will build a coalition of prominent international artists who support artists at risk of repression via action campaigns and promotional videos. It will also organize a series of convenings that will give artists experiencing repression a platform to raise awareness of the challenges they face.
Play-Off Magazine, LLC.
Supporting Cubans to Raise International Awareness of Human Rights Violations
$69,000
To provide independent sports news coverage. The outlet will cover sporting news, events, and stories of athletes that are not covered by other media outlets. It will produce news articles, opinion pieces, interviews, podcasts, a magazine, and other creative and audiovisual products to give updates on the latest sports news from an objective perspective.
Universal Rights
Strengthening Critical Thinking and Democratic Values
$139,600
To promote the free flow of information and democratic values. The organization will consolidate the reach and impact of its digital publications. It will publish historic materials on Cuban and Latin American art and culture. It will disseminate this information and its publications both regionally and internationally and will strengthen its own institutional capacity.
Transparencia Electoral
Generating Awareness on Cuba`s Role in the LAC Region and Assessing Challenges to Democratic Consolidation
$86,953
To raise awareness of authoritarian influence in Latin America and consolidate a network of civil society organizations, political parties, academics, journalists, and other interested parties committed to strengthening democracy in the region. The project will produce research materials that will be disseminated via virtual events convening regional experts, civil society organizations, journalists, and activists. Additionally, it will provide activists with training on monitoring legislative processes and conducting advocacy.
Universidad Sergio Arboleda
Fostering Dialogue and Exchange between Cuban Democrats and Colombian Intellectuals
$113,150
To foster dialogue between Cuban democrats and Colombian intellectuals, raise awareness about the political, economic, and social situation in Cuba, and inform young people across Latin America of the threats presented by authoritarianism. The organization will publish books and articles, host a variety of events, and facilitate other spaces for interaction between Colombians and Cubans to raise awareness of the realities faced by Cubans on the island, particularly important in Colombia where there exists a romanticized view of the Cuban revolution. It aims to reach an audience of intellectuals, high-level officials, and young people throughout Colombia and Latin America.
