Calls for Legal Assistance Proposals: Egypt (closes 13 September)
Minority Rights Group
Legal
Posted on Aug 8, 2025
MRG is seeking applications from dedicated lawyers, legal centers and human rights organizations to provide legal assistance programs for members of religious, ethnic and gender minority communities (LGBTQAI+) as well as indigenous peoples in Egypt who are facing discrimination or persecution as well as minority rights activists/CSOs that are facing legal harassments as a result of their work to promote minority rights inside the country.
Overview
Minority Rights Group (MRG) is an international non-governmental organization working to secure rights for ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities worldwide, and to promote co-operation and co-existence between communities. MRG is supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) working to promote the rights of ethnic and religious minority groups to carry out legal work that would lead to the improvement of the situation of religious and ethnic minorities.
Strengthening Minority Voices is a programme implemented between 2023 to 2026 in Egypt. It aims to promote and protect the rights of religious ethnic and gender minorities through enhanced advocacy, improved resilience and protection of activists and minority rights defenders and increased collaboration among minority and majority-based CSOs.
Purpose
To increase the capacity of civil society organizations to deliver high-quality, accessible legal support to minority and marginalized communities, ultimately contributing to stronger protection of rights, legal empowerment, and improved access to justice.
Eligibility
Lawyers, legal centres, human rights organizations, and other non-governmental organizations which provide legal assistance as part of their programs. Community-based organizations and networks working with and representing religious and ethnic communities who have previous experience providing such assistance are also eligible to apply to provide legal assistance to their community.
This grant supports CSOs working to provide legal assistance in marginalized areas and regions where minority communities have limited or no access to legal aid services. Priority will be given to initiatives operating in geographically remote or underserved regions, as well as areas with high concentrations of legally underserved minority communities.
All applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical standards and inclusion. The selected consultant or team must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Applicants must have an organizational or project-specific code of conduct that includes clear safeguarding measures for children, women, and other vulnerable or marginalized groups.
- Applicants must have an anti-fraud and corruption policy outlining internal safeguards, reporting mechanisms, and procedures for preventing misuse of funds or abuse of services.
- Applicants must provide evidence of internal protocols for secure data handling, storage, and confidentiality. These should comply with GDPR standards and be adapted to the Egyptian legal and security context, including protocols for anonymizing sensitive testimony and protecting personal data.
- Proposals must include a clear plan to ensure accessibility and inclusivity in legal aid and stakeholder engagement.
Funding and duration
- Successful applicants would provide legal aid to a minimum of 15 victims.
- Grant amount: €7,500 per centre/lawyer
- Duration: Maximum of 12 months
Eligible costs include:
- Legal consultation and representation fees
- Legal documentation and court-related costs
- Travel expenses for evidence collection and client meetings
- Filing and court fees
- Lawyer fees: advice and/or legal representation
- Legal costs such as obtaining legal documents
- Travel costs for collecting evidence and meeting victims
- Court fees
Strategic Litigation Encouraged
We particularly welcome proposals focused on cases with potential for strategic litigation whether at the national, regional, or international level – especially when developed in consultation with affected communities.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that this grant will contribute to:
- Beneficiaries reporting more security and satisfaction of legal processes
- Number of individuals from minority or marginalized communities receiving legal aid (at least 15)
- Number of individuals from minority or marginalized communities receiving legal advice (at least 20)
- Increase in CSO capacity to deliver legal services (as measured by services expanded or other indicators)
Please make sure to reference of these indicators in your proposal and how you plan to measure them
Selection criteria
The proposals will be assessed according to:
- Relevance of the cases to the call for proposals
- Strength of the case
- Number of victims
- Availability of alternative support to victim
- Information available on the case
- Impact (or potential impact) of discriminatory practice/legal proceedings, on victim
- Potential synergies between the case and other issues being addressed under the action
- Potential to bring about social change beyond the immediate case and individual client
- The need to support different minority communities who all need improved access to legal aid
- Demonstrated expertise and experience of the applicant or applicant organization
- Qualifications and experience of the proposed team members
- Cost-effectiveness and value for money
- References and client testimonials
Required Documents for Submission
Please download the following templates, complete them, and upload them along with your application:
Technical Proposal Form: Download, complete, and submit the Technical Proposal Form provided. This form includes key questions about your proposed cases, approach, and expected outcomes.
Financial Proposal Form: Download, complete, and submit the Financial Proposal (Budget) Form in the required format. Please include all anticipated costs.
CVs of Team Members: Attach CVs for all lawyers and staff who will be directly involved in providing legal assistance through this grant. If you are applying as an individual, please submit only your own CV.
Submission Instructions
- Please ensure that all forms are completed in full and attached before submitting your application.
- Please make sure to attach a technical proposal form a financial proposal form and lawyers CVs
- Kindly name your files clearly, e.g.:
- OrganizationName_TechnicalProposal.docx
- OrganizationName_Budget.xlsx
- OrganizationName_CV_TeamMember1.pdf
- OrganizationName_CV_TeamMember2.pdf
- Deadline to submit brief/outline: 25 August 2025
- Shortlisting and Clarifications sent: 5 September 2025
- Contract: 15 September
If you have any questions or issues, please contact us through this link.
Submit your application
Apply here
We look forward to receiving innovative, impactful and inclusive project proposals that drive positive change.
Egypt: Calls for Legal Assistance Proposals 2025 (EN)
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Please note:
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. We appreciate your understanding and thank you sincerely for the time and effort you put into your submission.
MRG encourages applications that give particular attention to minority persons with disabilities women and gender issues at large. In line with our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, MRG acknowledges the importance of ensuring equitable access to legal assistance services. As such, we encourage to applicants who identify as individuals with disabilities, members of minority communities, gender minorities, and women to highlight any relevant experiences, perspectives, or challenges they may face in their application. While all applications will be considered on their merits, MRG is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive legal environment, and we recognize the value of representation from marginalized and underrepresented communities.
If you belong to any of the aforementioned groups, please feel free to indicate so in your application.
Treatment of Information
The data will be treated confidentially in line with GDPR policies. Only MRG will have access to the information provided in order to facilitate the selection process.