Anti-discrimination and free legal services in Budapest

News
18.08.2008

The €0.4 million Anti-discrimination and advocacy fund opened its open call for proposals in August 2008. Two open calls were launched simultaneously, one for free legal services in Budapest and the second for support to antidiscrimination actions and legal protection. Project proposals can be submitted until 25 November 2008.

Free legal assistance in Budapest

A total 60 million HUF, or some €250,000, will be channelled to Budapest's NGOs to strengthen their free legal services to the city's disadvantaged groups.

Grants will be awarded to support free legal services for the following target groups:
  • People from the Roma minority, homeless people, people in need of support in housing, people having debts related to paying public utility fees, unemployed persons, solitary old people or potential victims of organised crime in their dwelling
  • People in psychiatric care and/or young drug users
  • People living with disability and/or homosexual people and/or persons released from prison.

Eligible activities include services to provide information and counselling, legal assistance and legal representation. The maximum grant to each proposal is 3 million HUF. The applicant needs to provide a minimum of 10% of the total expenses. In-kind contributions can constitute up to 80% of this co-financing.

Support for anti-discrimination and legal protection

A total 30 million HUF is also available to support the efforts by NGOs and minority self-governments in Budapest to decrease prejudice and implement anti-discrimination programs.

All projects can be supported that are aimed at decreasing prejudice against:
  • people from the Roma minority 
  • homeless people
  • people in need of support in housing, people having debts related to public utility fees, unemployed persons, solitary old people or potential victims of organised crime in their dwelling)
  • people in psychiatric care
  • young drug users
  • people living with disability
  • homosexual people

  • people released from prisons

    In addition, projects can be supported that are aimed at promoting the social acceptance of the abovementioned groups or target legal protection for vulnerable groups. The maximum grant to each proposal is 6 million HUF. The applicant needs to provide a minimum of 10% of the total expenses. In-kind contributions can constitute up to 80% of this co-financing.

For details on how to apply, see the open call text.