The Commission on Human Security (CHS) defines human security as the protection of "the vital core of all human lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and fulfillment". Human security means protecting fundamental freedoms. It means protecting people from critical and pervasive threats and situations. It means using processes that build on people's strengths and aspirations. It means creating political, social, environmental, economic, military and cultural systems that, when combined, give people the building blocks for survival, livelihood and dignity.
Human security is far more than the absence of violent conflict. It encompasses human rights, good governance and access to economic opportunity, education and health care. It is a concept that comprehensively addresses both "freedom from fear" and "freedom from want".
Learn more about the General Assembly's position on this issue through this online article: General Assembly President Calls for New Culture of International Relations, with Principle of Human Security at its Core, During Day-Long Debate (GA/10711)
Through the application and selection process, HDR excellence and innovation will be encouraged in areas such as: quality of Human Security analysis and use of statistics and indicators, with a focus on gender-based inequality and marginalized groups; sustained outreach and advocacy for HS policy impact; and participatory HS processes and national ownership.
In addition to creating incentives for greater innovation in research and advocacy, the purpose of the grant programme is to meet the challenge of limited funding for HDR work beyond the most basic research and writing requirements.
Grant recipients will be selected by a panel comprised of staff of UNDP and the Human Security Unit of OCHA on a competitive basis and in accordance with criteria described below. Countries designated as One UN pilot countries, countries currently being considered by the Peacebuilding Commission, and LDCs that can demonstrate strong UN Country Team collaboration are eligible to participate in the call for national HDR grant proposals. Countries are not eligible if UNDP-commissioned national teams have already produced an HDR on Human Security.
The application and implementation process for the grants will provide opportunities to clarify and discuss the Human Security approach. UNDP in-kind technical assistance provided to grant recipients will support more rigorous application of the HS concept. HDRs on Human Security will add country-level experiences to the understanding and application of this concept in part through the formulation of new projects for Human Security. UNDP will disseminate good practices and findings from these HDRs to the broader development community.
This programme supports the broader work of the UNTFHS by:
Countries designated as One UN pilot countries, countries currently being considered by the Peacebuilding Commission, and LDCs that can demonstrate strong UN Country Team collaboration are eligible to participate in the call for HDR grant applications. Countries are not eligible if national teams have already produced an HDR on Human Security. Eligible UNDP Country Offices are invited to submit HS/HDR grant applications to Tim Scott (tim.scott@undp.org). These grant applications are to include the following:
The application form and guidelines can be downloaded here:
UNDP country offices currently receiving financial support from this grant programme are:
Links: Background | Selection Process | Sample interventions | Sample Budget | Work Plan | External links
