Iran 2021

Democratic Governance

Fact-Checking Public Information to Promote Accountability

$60,000

To promote issue-based socioeconomic discourse and to enhance accountability, transparency, and participation as core values within society. The grantee will fact-check data released by the government and publish a series of briefs analyzing the accuracy of public statements and publications. The grantee will also produce thematic reports summarizing its fact-checking analyses on timely topics related to good governance.

Universal Rights

Human Rights Monitoring and Documentation

$45,000

To raise awareness about human rights and strengthen the capacity of human rights defenders. The organization will monitor, document and report on human rights violations, with a focus on marginalized communities, and expand its online political prisoners’ database. It will also work closely with its network of human rights activists to build their capacity in reporting, advocacy, and digital security. In addition, it will publish a quarterly magazine to provide analysis on human rights laws and issues.

Democratic Governance

Businesswomen Leading the Path to Change

$170,000

To develop the leadership capacity of a women-focused civil society organization; to empower a women-focused civil society organization to advocate for the elimination of legal, social, and political barriers to women’s participation as economic actors in Iran. The organization will build the capacity of individuals to facilitate organizational sustainability within women-focused Iranian business associations to identify laws which discriminate against women that are good targets for reform advocacy. The organization will expand a regional network of knowledge sharing to facilitate engagement with counterparts and experts and continued growth.

Democratic Norms, Ideas and Values

Public Opinion Polling

$51,000

To promote evidence-based policy discussions. The project will survey and analyze public perceptions and attitudes on important political orientations and international relations. It will also contribute to improving the organization’s capacity to conduct online surveys, analyze and disseminate key findings, network with other like-minded civil society organizations, and make policy recommendations.

Democratic Governance

Strengthening Environmental Accountability

$80,500

To promote environmental accountability and transparency. The organization will raise awareness of environmental challenges and offer policy and scientific solutions to address them. The project will work with media organizations to elevate the issue in public debate, advocate for greater environmental accountability and strengthen civil society’s ability to understand the root causes of environmental issues.

Universal Rights

Strengthening Independent Journalism

$54,500

To strengthen independent professional journalism and promote networking among media professionals. The organization will maintain and further develop an online resource center for journalists and media professionals. The grantee will publish on its website news and updates relevant to journalists, and will monitor and document violations against journalists.

Democratic Governance

Human Rights Law Journal

$140,000

To foster collaboration and dialogue between Iranian civil society and political activists on a future democratic vision, and to raise awareness about the rule of law and civic rights among the Iranian legal community. The organization will hold in-person conferences and online discussions to facilitate debate on transition models from authoritarian regimes to democratic systems, and research and analyze legal, economic, social and political topics critical to democratization in Iran. It will also publish and disseminate an electronic law journal. The organization’s online law journal is the only publication inside and outside Iran that focuses exclusively on informing Iran’s legal community. It also has a proven track record in bringing together Iranian civic and political leaders of different backgrounds to discuss policy issues.

Democratic Governance

Encouraging Greater Government Transparency and Accountability

$350,000

To strengthen the capacity of Iranian activists to use budgetary processes for promoting greater accountability, the organization will support and mentor in-country networks and members of the diaspora community to enhance accountability efforts through increased public access to relevant information and evidence-based advocacy campaigns. Through their efforts, the organization’s in-country networks and diaspora partners will encourage greater accountability and civic oversight in the process of determining, debating and implementing local and national budgets in Iran.

Universal Rights

Building Capacities of Labor Activists

$70,000

To promote evidence-based policy discussions. The project will survey and analyze public perceptions and attitudes on important political orientations and international relations. It will also contribute to improving the organization’s capacity to conduct online surveys, analyze and disseminate key findings, network with other like-minded civil society organizations, and make policy recommendations.