NIGERIA: G/TIP GRANT PROPOSALS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ABUJA 000285 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR G/TIP, AF/W, INR/AA ENERGY FOR CAROLYN GAY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREF KWMN ELAB SMIG ASEC NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: G/TIP GRANT PROPOSALS REF: STATE 161278 ¶1. (U) Summary: Per reftel, post is submitting five grant proposals for consideration for G/TIP managed FY 2008 ESF and INCLE funds. Summaries of the proposals recommended by post follow. End Summary. TIP IN NIGERIA -------------- ¶2. (U) Nigeria is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. Although Nigeria has made significant strides in combating the trafficking of persons and is currently categorized as a Tier 2 country, it still faces many obstacles in effectively mitigating the problem. Traffickers, run out of the larger towns and cities, have moved deeper into rural areas, targeting younger victims. Nigeria does have an agency dedicated to trafficking in persons, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP); however they face constant funding shortages and delays in budget allotments and disbursement to its centers around the country. The constant rotation of police, immigration, and other officials involved in the fight against trafficking ensures that training must be continuous in order to reach the appropriate officials. Adding to the difficulty, gaps in service provisions to victims and lengthy trial processes that often rule in favor of the perpetrators rather than the victims further complicate the situation. NAPTIP relies on the efforts and assistance of NGOs to strengthen their endeavors. It is imperative that the local organizations aiding in the battle continue to receive support so Nigeria can avoid slipping back on to the Tier 2 Watch List. PROPOSAL 1 -------------- ¶3. (U) A. Name of applicant: American Bar Association ¶B. Requested funding amount: $500,000 ¶C. Project title: Rule of Law Initiative (ROLI) - Training ¶D. Project duration: 12 months ¶E. Proposal abstract: ROLI-Training proposes to implement a program that will carry out the following activities: 1) provide TIP training for law enforcement officers at border posts; 2) provide TIP training for prosecutors and judges; and 3) provide support for the drafting of witness protection legislation. The continuous training of border officials, prosecutors, and judges is a significant need in the fight against trafficking in persons. Not only does ABA have the expertise and contacts necessary to conduct these training programs, they as the initial trainers also have the contacts and the trust of the included organizations. These efforts are an extension of ROLI's current projects that are due to end in November 2008. A grant would allow them to continue their work in country and expanding current efforts is an efficient use of funds, especially for an organization of proven caliber. PROPOSAL 2 -------------- ¶4. (U) A. Name of applicant: American Bar Association ¶B. Requested funding amount: $500,000 ¶C. Project title: Rule of Law Initiative (ROLI) - Victim Protection ¶D. Project duration: 12 months ¶E. Proposal abstract: ROLI-Protection would implement this program to enhance the efforts of the GON to provide rescued TIP victims the protections afforded them under the international and domestic law, including providing food, shelter, medical care, rehabilitation, and reintegration assistance. This proposal has correctly identified gaps in service provision and care of trafficking victims as a significant challenge to NAPTIP. ROLI-Protection proposes to conduct the following activities: 1) provide support at selected border posts for emergency protection for rescued TIP victims; 2) provide logistical support for NAPTIP's zonal shelters for TIP victims; and 3) provide support for programs to develop the economic capacity of TIP victims. The last two are extensions of activities ROLI has carried out with funding from USAID; however these programs are due to end in November 2008. A grant would allow ABA to continue their work in country and have a greater impact with expanded assistance to victims. Expanding current efforts is an ABUJA 00000285 002 OF 003 efficient use of funds, especially for an organization of proven caliber. PROPOSAL 3 -------------- ¶5. (U) A. Name of applicant: Society for the Empowerment of Young Persons (SYEP) ¶B. Requested funding amount: $418,118 ¶C. Project title: Business Mentoring and Micro-Finance for TIP Victims and Persons Vulnerable to TIP ¶D. Project duration: 24 months ¶E. Proposal abstract: This project would provide the women and youths of Edo State with opportunities for micro credit financing and the management training necessary for successful business ventures. This innovative proposal addresses a need - viable alternatives to trafficking as a source of income in a state with high unemployment - in an empowering way. The program would carry out the following activities: 1) provide business mentoring for TIP victims that have previously completed vocational training in fashion design and computers to prepare them to establish and operate their own business enterprises; and 2) provide access to capital to the participants of the program to ensure they have adequate resources to establish their own enterprises. Monitored microcredit projects that provide educational opportunities along side small funding amounts and in a group context have proven to be successful worldwide. The person selected to implement this project is very dedicated and energetic, and has the required expertise for overseeing such a project. PROPOSAL 4 -------------- ¶6. (U) A. Name of Applicant: Concern Universal Nigeria ¶B. Requested funding amount: $249,958 ¶C. Project Title: Community Partnership Against Trafficking in Persons (C-PATH) ¶D. Project Duration: 15 months ¶E. Proposal Abstract: C-PATH proposes a three-part project that will include awareness raising, strengthening of local and LGA level law enforcement, and further research. The project will be carried out in 15 communities of 2 local governments (Abi and Yakurr) in Central Cross River State. By including awareness, sensitization, law enforcement support, increased collaboration between CSOs and NGOs present in Cross River State, and research into the clandestine crime, this first-time applicant takes an integrated approach to mitigating trafficking in the area. Community legislation against trafficking is an additional component to this project that has not been done before. The NGO and its partners already work in the rural areas of Cross River State, one of the top three trafficking sources and a geographic area G/TIP has not previously funded. PROPOSAL 5 -------------- ¶7. (U) A. Name of applicant: African Women Empowerment Guild (AWEG) and Girls' Power Initiative (GPI) ¶B. Requested funding amount: $29,900 ¶C. Project title: Peer Education Among Minors to Reduce Incidence of Human Trafficking in Edo South Senatorial District ¶D. Project duration: 12 months ¶E. Proposal abstract: This project aims to increase awareness of rural in-school children on trafficking, migration, and build their skills to say "No" to negative pressure even when their parents are involved. It is a rural replication of an earlier intervention by AWEG and GPI in Benin City under the UNODC/UNICRI supported campaign of 2004. The activities would comprise peer education training for 420 students from 70 junior secondary schools in 14 rural towns. This proposal responds to the shift in trafficking of traffickers moving more deeply into rural areas to lure their victims and drawing victims parents into the trafficking scheme. They build on work already done, ensuring continuity of proven methods and maintaining expertise. ¶8. (U) Points of contact for additional information: ¶A. Abuja Political Officer: Nyree Tripptree, TripptreeNA@state.gov ¶B. Lagos Political Officer: Diana Sitt, SittDM@state.gov ABUJA 00000285 003 OF 003 ¶9. (U) Full proposals including appendices will be sent via email as per reftel instructions. Post appreciates Department's consideration of the suggested proposals. SANDERS