Programs
Democracy and Human Rights Fund
Description
Historically, the Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) has been one of a variety of programs the U.S. government (USG) has used to support the process of democratization in Africa. The Democracy and Human Rights Fund Activity is a subset of Development Assistance and was authorized in May 2000, building upon the foundation laid by previous Democracy and Human Rights Fund Projects.
The DHRF is intended to support activities that promote political pluralism and human and civil rights, rather than longer-term development-oriented activities. DHRF activities should be small, distinct, high-impact, and short-term. DHRF does not fund on-going, multi-year activities or projects of indigenous organizations, even though these may support democracy or promote human rights.
Within this goal of promoting civil and political rights, the purpose of DHRF is to provide a mechanism to support and strengthen democratic institutions and civil society, as well as the adoption and adherence to democratic values and practices in African countries.