The United States Department of State has announced a $3.5 million funding initiative aimed at strengthening documentation and reporting of religious freedom abuses across Nigeria.
The United States Department of State has announced a $3.5 million funding opportunity, estimated at about N5 billion, to support efforts focused on documenting and reporting religious freedom abuses in Nigeria.
The initiative was introduced through the Office of International Religious Freedom under the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour. According to the notice, organisations with the capacity to strengthen reporting and documentation efforts relating to religion and belief-based attacks are being invited to apply.
The programme is expected to run for between 24 and 48 months, with one award anticipated through either a grant or cooperative agreement.
According to the State Department, the objective is to improve monitoring, documentation and reporting of abuses committed by both state and non-state actors. The initiative is intended to support accountability, advocacy and memorialisation efforts connected to religious freedom violations.
The announcement arrives amid continuing international attention on security challenges affecting various communities across Nigeria. By focusing on documentation and evidence gathering, the programme seeks to strengthen reporting structures surrounding incidents linked to religious freedom concerns.
Applications for the programme are expected to be considered under the framework outlined by the Office of International Religious Freedom.