Inclusive political participation is fundamental to making democracy work for all people.

A multi-color representation of different people advocating for social justice causes

But in too many places, marginalized communities are blocked from participating meaningfully in public life.

A fish punching down sending multi-color ripples out
A multi-color explosion

They face stigma, discrimination and violence.

This is true for many LGBTQI+ communities and people with disabilities around the world.

“I found NDI to be supportive and sensitive to the reality of our work and the context of our country. This is what made this project unique. NDI really wanted to look at how [we are] working, how we can move to the next stage and improve the work we do.” — Anonymous grantee
“Before the ERA project, people knew Visibles as a group of people who worked together on their free time on the weekends. Because of our support from ERA, we were able to devote ourselves to this work full-time and actually establish ourselves as an organization.” — Visibles, Guatemala
“[The] application and management process for this grant actually helped us establish our internal processes. It was flexible and appropriate to what we needed at the moment.” — Anonymous grantee
“What we loved about this project is that we received direct support that we have never received from other donors. NDI staff spent hours helping us with our application and telling us about their programmatic tools and resources. This personal connection strengthened our ability to work together. They were sensitive to the realities we faced at the country level.” — Anonymous grantee

Strengthening democracy requires organized action to fight for fundamental rights and social justice.

Three Fists raised in the air in front of a colorful background

That’s why NDI’s Equal Rights in Action Fund supports local activist organizations in every corner of the globe.

Our Mission

Build the power and influence of activists campaigning for the equal rights of LGBTQI+ communities and people with disabilities.

Our
Vision

A world in which every person can participate in democracy without fear or discrimination.

Our Objectives

Safe and Secure Environments:

Individuals, organizations and communities are safe and secure from all forms of violence, including threats, intimidation, harassment, abuse, discrimination, sexual violence, and psychological or physical harm - both offline and online.

Political Participation:

All members of society are free to participate in politics and influence political outcomes without suffering discrimination or reprisal and are acknowledged and protected through inclusive and affirming laws and policies, which are fairly and consistently implemented and enforced. Basic civil freedoms such as the right to assembly, the right to organize collectively, and free speech are respected for all citizens.

Empowered & Inclusive Movements & Organizations:

Human rights movements reflect the full diversity of the communities that they engage. Movements are capable of effective activism, and work across other movements to connect with allies and to build power. Grassroots organizations are well-managed, strategic and effective.

The Fund’s grantees promote and defend the human rights of LGBTQI+ communities and people with disabilities. These groups operate with limited resources amid challenging circumstances.

Our grants and technical assistance have supported

116 LGBTQI+ organizations
43 disabled persons' organizations
80 countries

"The ERA Fund grant in Georgia led to a historic and unprecedented success in securing a commitment from 15 political parties to end hate speech and anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric. The flexible grant model empowered the local partner to achieve this despite the challenging election environment and the pandemic."

— Teona Kupunia, Deputy Director, NDI Georgia

$3,213,000 + to LGBTQI+ groups
$2,062,715 + to disabled persons’ organizations

That’s why the ERA Fund’s small grants and technical assistance go a long way, helping to elevate their good work and struggle for inclusion.

In partnership, we help translate the demand for equal rights into action around the world.

These are some of the local organizations we support.

Pride Demonstration in Brazil
Brazil

VoteLGBT

Since 2014, VoteLGBT has worked to increase the representation of LGBTQI+ people in all areas of society, especially in politics. Under the belief that the construction of LGBTQI+ policy must be collective and intersectional, VoteLGBT often works in collaboration with other civil society and social movement actors.

Divers' Unité logo. A black typeface with a hand-drawn appearance, the N is capitalized and the only letter in red.
Madagascar

Divers' Unité

Divers' Unité fights to eliminate discriminatory laws and raise awareness of discrimination and social inequalities in Madagascar. Distinguished by the youth of its members, Divers'Unité strives to build cohesion within the LGBTQI+ community by highlighting its diversity and advocating for its rights.

Mas Igualdad Peru
Peru

Más Igualdad Perú (MIP)

MIP is a feminist organization that works for full equality for LGTBIQ+ people in Peru.

Fundacja Interakcja wordmark logo
Poland

Fundacja Interakcja

Fundacja Interakcja works to ensure social equality and respect for the bodily autonomy, expression, identity, and human rights of intersex people and people with variation in sex characteristics. Fundacja Interakcja’s envisions a world in which intersex people feel fully accepted and safe, live free of discrimination, and have access to adequate medical care, information, and support.

Venasa, to protect and enable rights of transgender community
Sri Lanka

Venasa T Network

VTN is the first organization with an exclusive focus on the equal rights, non-discrimination, and well-being of transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex communities in Sri Lanka. VTN’s work includes peer support, connecting people to critical services, documenting human rights violations, and advocacy with a wide range of stakeholders.

Tonga Leitis Association (TLA)
Tonga

Tonga Leitis Association (TLA)

TLA is committed to making a significant difference in the lives of people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and sex characteristics to better improve human rights and the HIV response for these communities in Tonga.

Association Anika logo. Two abstract figures, one in pink and one in blue, high-fiving as a blue swooping ring envelopes them at the waist.
Georgia

Association Anika

Anika has fought for the equality and inclusion of people with disabilities in Georgia since 1997. Its mission is to defend and promote the rights of people with disabilities through inclusive education, legislative change, tailored services, and the removal of legal, physical, and social barriers.

Colectivo Vida Independiente logo
Guatemala

Colectivo Vida Independiente

Colectivo Vida Independiente (CVI)’s mission is to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, with an intersectional lens and an emphasis on underrepresented groups such as women and girls with disabilities. CVI aims to change structural barriers in legislation, policies, and practices, raise public awareness, and promote the empowerment of persons with disabilities.

Association of People with Disabilities of Padang City
Indonesia

Association of People with Disabilities of Padang City (PPDI)

PPDI works with local institutions and community members in West Sumatra to advocate for policies and programs that benefit people with disabilities. This contributes to the ultimate vision of full participation and equal opportunity of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.

Filles à Besoins Speciaux pour la Reforme (FIBESR) meeting
Haiti

Filles à Besoins Speciaux pour la Reforme (FIBESR)

FIBESR is a local organization dedicated to promoting the rights of women and girls with disabilities, with a focus on the role of women and girls with disabilities in decision-making spaces and reducing gender-based violence.

Center for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CDPD) logo
Moldova

Center for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CDPD)

The Centre for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CDPD)’s mission is to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. CDPD advocates for social inclusion by mobilizing persons with disabilities around advocacy initiatives to improve national legislation and public policy on accessibility, education, employment, and justice.

Sheyaw Organization for Youth and Vulnerable People Development logo
Iraq

Sheyaw Organization for Youth and Vulnerable People Development

Sheyaw was established to empower and gather persons with disabilities and their organizations alongside young people, women, and other marginalized groups in post-conflict Iraq. Sheyaw promotes peace and aims to reinforce a culture of democracy, equality, good governance, human rights, and non-violence.

How We Support Our Grantees

Yes, we provide financial assistance, but we also provide technical skills and open new doors for our partners!

1

Expanded reach to more people in more places.

World Map World Map

Central and Eastern Europe
22 total grantees in 10 countries
17 LGBTQI+ grantees
5 DPO grantee

Eurasia
17 total grantees in 7 countries
11 LGBTQI+ grantees
6 DPO grantees

Asia
38 total grantees in 19 countries
26 LGBTQI+ grantees
12 DPO grantees

Middle East and North Africa
10 total grantees in 6 countries
8 LGBTQI+ grantees
2 DPO grantees

Southern and East Africa
25 grantees in 14 countries
18 LGBTQI+ grantees
7 DPO grantees

Central and West Africa
16 total grantees in 8 countries
9 LGBTQI+ grantees
7 DPO grantees

Latin America and the Caribbean
33 total grantees in 18 countries
27 LGBTQI+ grantees
6 DPO grantee

2

Strategic planning and technical assistance from experts.

3

Connections to expanded networks of influence.

Are you an organization that is interested in applying for one of our grants?

Learn More