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Description
This project emerged from the need to solve some of the contemporary challenges that civil society organizations working in the human rights domain are facing in Portugal. Some of these challenges are the difficulty in establishing work synergies with other organizations, difficulty with sustainability, difficulty in accessing funds in a diverse and consolidate manner, difficulty in ‘making their voice heard’ within the saturated ecosystem in which they operate, among others. In this context, the Consortium of partner entities, proposes the creation of one platform that can aggregate a diversity of organizations, considering both thematic and geographic scopes, working in human rights domain in Portugal. The aim of the platform is to become an umbrella organization that can create work and implementation synergies among the organizations, potentiating real impact on human rights but not substituting any existing organizations. Thus, the project is formed by four components interconnected aimed at defining the limits of the action, creation and revision of the workplan (Component 1), consolidate the platform (Component 2), creation and validation of a business and sustainability plan (Component 3) and reporting and transition to autonomy (Component 4).
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several key issues and challenges. Firstly, there was a need for a new structure to strengthen the connection between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on Human Rights in Portugal. The Consortium responsible for the project included several renowned NGOs: Amnesty International Portugal (promoter), ACTUAR, AKTO, APF, APMJ, FENACERCI, ILGA Portugal, and IGC. Together, they aimed to create a platform representing thematic and geographic diversity within the field of Human Rights.
The project was structured around four main components, each encompassing a set of specific activities. Firstly focused on mapping the subsector, specifically conducting an exhaustive survey of ONGDH (NGO in Human Rights) in Portugal. This activity spanned the first two years and continued to be updated in the third year. The tasks included extensive online research, contacting organizations, assessing their activities, and presenting the project to each organization. Contributions came from consortium organizations, local action networks, and other platforms'' contacts. All mapped organizations received project information and invitations to two organized conferences.
The "definition of the Human Rights perimeter and platform''s scope" began with internal reflection, building foundations and debates later presented to civil society in a broad consultation. Activities included in-person and remote meetings between partners and the promoter, initially bi-weekly and later monthly. Consultative and deliberative forums and online surveys with partners were conducted. The legal constitution of the platform started later than planned but followed an updated timeline. All planned activities were executed, including drafting and approving the statutes, defining integration criteria for new members, and creating a principles charter reflected in an internal regulation under development by associates.
Secondly, the focus was the consolidation of the platform, including a communication and awareness plan. Activities completed included defining the graphic and visual identity, creating communication materials and infrastructure in both print and digital formats, creating a website, and establishing a presence on Facebook and LinkedIn. A flyer (triptych) with the Platform presentation information was created. The two conferences were crucial for promoting and increasing PDH''s visibility across civil society, the general public, and political decision-makers. Articulation with academia was also defined.
Thirdly, a state-of-the-art study was elaborated, analysing the model of other national and international platforms. Meetings were held to learn about platforms in Brazil, Italy, and Malta (specifically on HR). These data were essential for studying the model to be created in Portugal. The business model emerged in the third year after a better understanding of its operational model.
Finaly, the transitioning to autonomy process started, carried out with the platform’s management and other social bodies, keeping the consortium informed of all developments.
The project was structured around four main components, each encompassing a set of specific activities. Firstly focused on mapping the subsector, specifically conducting an exhaustive survey of ONGDH (NGO in Human Rights) in Portugal. This activity spanned the first two years and continued to be updated in the third year. The tasks included extensive online research, contacting organizations, assessing their activities, and presenting the project to each organization. Contributions came from consortium organizations, local action networks, and other platforms'' contacts. All mapped organizations received project information and invitations to two organized conferences.
The "definition of the Human Rights perimeter and platform''s scope" began with internal reflection, building foundations and debates later presented to civil society in a broad consultation. Activities included in-person and remote meetings between partners and the promoter, initially bi-weekly and later monthly. Consultative and deliberative forums and online surveys with partners were conducted. The legal constitution of the platform started later than planned but followed an updated timeline. All planned activities were executed, including drafting and approving the statutes, defining integration criteria for new members, and creating a principles charter reflected in an internal regulation under development by associates.
Secondly, the focus was the consolidation of the platform, including a communication and awareness plan. Activities completed included defining the graphic and visual identity, creating communication materials and infrastructure in both print and digital formats, creating a website, and establishing a presence on Facebook and LinkedIn. A flyer (triptych) with the Platform presentation information was created. The two conferences were crucial for promoting and increasing PDH''s visibility across civil society, the general public, and political decision-makers. Articulation with academia was also defined.
Thirdly, a state-of-the-art study was elaborated, analysing the model of other national and international platforms. Meetings were held to learn about platforms in Brazil, Italy, and Malta (specifically on HR). These data were essential for studying the model to be created in Portugal. The business model emerged in the third year after a better understanding of its operational model.
Finaly, the transitioning to autonomy process started, carried out with the platform’s management and other social bodies, keeping the consortium informed of all developments.