Introduction of Abilis Foundation

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Abilis Foundation

• Established in 1998• Board of Directors consists of disabled

experts and activists (different backgrounds)• Employs disabled persons – experts, both

in Finland and in the Global South• Has an office in Helsinki with 9

permanent staff members

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Abilis Foundation

• Promotes equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities (PWDs)

• Supports and empowers PWDs living in developing countries to act as full citizens in the society

• Assists this easily marginalized and minority group to work for human rights and improvements of living conditions

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Principles of Abilis work (1/2)

• Support to DPOs in the Global South• Building of the capacity of DPOs

• Funding for organizations that include disabled people in their leadership

• During the entire project cycle, in planning, implementation, reporting and evaluation, PWDs plays the key role – they are not only beneficiaries

• Funding for small-scale reliable projects of good quality, 500 - 10.000 € / year

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Principles of Abilis work (2/2)

• Main focus areas and themes are:• Human rights of PWDs• UN Convention on the Rights of PWDs• Income generation (IG) of PWDs• Independent life and empowerment of PWDs• Status, education and IG of disabled girls and

women• Living conditions of disabled children

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Grant making of Abilis

• Abilis is a donor agency funding development projects

• Open call for proposals where Southern DPOs can send applications

• Situation in August 2011: 272 ongoing projects in 43 countriesAbout 68 % of the projects are in Abilis

Partner Countries

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Project application & decision process

• Application form prepared by PWDs/DPOs• Free format or Abilis application form• Attachments required

• Applications are sent to Abilis office Analysis and resume of application by the Abilis staff

• Funding decision by the Abilis Board Agreement or Rejection letterPayments in three (3) instalmentsReporting format: Narrative and Financial report

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Types of ongoing projects

• Poverty reduction and income generation• Awareness raising and advocacy• CBR and other rehabilitation • Accessibility (including Sign Language,

Braille material)• Organizational development• Education (Inclusive education)• HIV/AIDS & health issues related to PWDs

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Accessibility and education

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Income Generating Activity

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Home Care Service

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Vocational training to women

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Accessibility – ramp construction

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Poverty reduction – livestock farming

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Awareness raising

Thank you!

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