Call for Proposals: copyright law reform advocacy campaigns

CALL CLOSED

Restrictive copyright laws create legal barriers to accessing resources for education, research and personal development. This can have significant consequences for libraries in developing and transition countries that have limited funds to purchase copyright-protected materials.

We advocate for fair and balanced copyright laws that support libraries in providing access to knowledge.

EIFL-IP programme - Copyright and libraries - in action…

• Playing a leadership role in promoting national and international copyright law reform. Learn more our international work or the key issues.

• Building capacity within the EIFL network through training in advocacy and copyright issues. See EIFL workshops
• Providing unique resources and valuable expertise. See materials developed by EIFL.
• Empowering library professionals to become knowledgeable advocates and international proponents of fair access for all

Call for proposals

The EIFL-IP programme is pleased to invite proposals for advocacy campaigns in support of copyright law reform in EIFL partner countries. We particularly wish to support countries with pending legislation in copyright and related rights, or where reviews of copyright law or consultations with stakeholders are planned.

Here are some examples of advocacy actions that could be undertaken:

• organising a campaign around an anniversary or event e.g. 100th anniversary of the national copyright law, national author entering the public domain in 2013;

• organising a campaign around a process e.g. country negotiating a Free Trade Agreement or European Partnership Agreement or reviewing copyright law;

• organising a campaign around specific problems encountered by the library e.g. digital preservation, format shifting;

• reviewing the law on copyright and related rights and proposing library-friendly amendments;

• surveying local library services that involve copyrighted content, assessing how they fit with national copyright law and/or the licences held by the library and preparing an advocacy plan;

• co-organising an event with the national copyright office;

• engaging with the consortium/library community to adopt a position on copyright and preparing an advocacy plan towards policy-makers;

• promoting our international work at WIPO nationally, including the Treaty Proposal on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Archives (known as TLIB).

The actions can involve a range of activities such as obtaining expert copyright advice, preparing advocacy materials, hosting events and meetings with target groups, campaigning with other civil society stakeholders.

Application procedure

Proposals should:

• Provide an overview of the current framework for copyright and related rights in your country.

• Describe your advocacy strategy and how you plan to reach the target groups.

• Describe your project work plan and time frame. Note that the duration of the grant can be from three to eight months.

• Describe the expected results of your advocacy, the benefits to the target groups and how you will measure the results.

• Provide a budget to support your action plan. Note that the EIFL financial contribution is up to a maximum of 4,000 Euro.

• Be written in English using the EIFL-IP Grant Application Form.

• The deadline for applications is Monday, 7th May 2012.

The EIFL-IP programme manager will be available to support grantees during implementation of the projects. We will write up and publish case studies.

Who can apply

Libraries and organisations from EIFL partner countries are eligible to participate. Applications can include individual or groups of libraries and organisations under the EIFL partner consortia umbrella.

How to apply and deadline

1. Please download the application form here [doc].
2. Then, you MUST submit your project application online here.
3. In the case of any technical problems, alternatively send your project application to <teresa.hackett [@] eifl.net>

Application deadline is MONDAY, 7TH MAY 2012

Evaluation procedure and publicity

Funding for up to ten projects will be awarded on a competitive basis. Successful applicants will be notified by Monday, 28 May 2012.

Grant recipients will be featured on the EIFL website.

EIFL-IP Programme support

The EIFL-IP programme is supported by the Open Society Foundations Information Program.

Contact person

If you have any questions or need clarifications, please contact the EIFL-IP Programme Manager, Teresa Hackett <teresa.hackett [@] eifl.net>.

Files / Images: 

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eifl-ip_grant_application_april2012.doc