Vision
South Africa enjoys a culture of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in which people have access to justice and in which there is transparent, accountable and participatory governance.
Human Rights and Governance Programme aims to realise its vision primarily through providing grants to civil society organisations, providing support for workshops aimed at knowledge-building and sharing, and other capacity-building services.
Programme goals
- Building, supporting, encouraging and strengthening civil society participation in the promotion of human rights and good governance through strategic advocacy and other methods of participation in governance;
- Promoting innovation with a view to developing effective good governance and the enforcement of human rights; and
- Promoting access to information through effective, independent evaluation, and encouraging discussion and debate between stakeholders.
Areas of work that HR&GP currently supports
Access to Justice
Goal: To ensure equal access to justice and protection of the law for all in respect of civil, political and socio-economic rights.
The Human Rights and Governance Programme supports initiatives that: promote and protect civil, political and socio-economic rights, particularly for marginalised groups; ensure the independence of the courts and the judiciary; and build respect for the rule of law.
Access to Information
Goal: To promote effective and neutral implementation of access to information legislation and policies by private and public bodies.
The HR&GP supports civil society organisations that participate in education, advocacy, litigation and monitoring around the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA). The Programme will also support advocacy efforts that ensure government’s commitment to the effective and neutral implementation of PAIA and efforts to defend the public’s right to be able to access information from the state and from private bodies.
Public Participation
Goal: To ensure public participation in the affairs of government and governance through active citizenship.
The HR&GP aims to strengthen public participation as a critical element of a democracy and as a means of ensuring the accountability of public officials. It will continue to support initiatives that ensure the state’s obligations to meaningful public participation are met; as well as providing support to initiatives that strengthen civil society’s capacity to engage with government.
Public Policy
Goal: To ensure that there is a vibrant, robust civil society capable of challenging and interacting with policy and lawmakers.
The Human Rights and Governance Programme will continue to support civil society’s engagement with policy-making and monitoring of policy implementation.