Call for Expressions of Interest – Funding to support civil society participation in the UN Universal Periodic Review Pre-sessions 2026

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality invites Expressions of Interest from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for funding to support participation in the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Pre-sessions from 26 to 28 August 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Irish Government recognises the important role of civic engagement with international review mechanisms, including the UN UPR process which is now in its Fourth Cycle. Engagement by CSOs in this process supports transparency, accountability and the effective implementation of human rights commitments.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has responsibility at the national level for coordinating the whole-of-government engagement with the UPR process and for reporting on Ireland’s progress in implementing the recommendations issued by the UN on foot of the review.

As part of the Fourth Cycle of reporting, CSOs and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) are invited to attend a series of Pre-sessions organised by UPR Info in Geneva between 25-28 August 2026. These Pre-sessions are organised ahead of Ireland’s review by the UPR Working Group session on 10 November 2026.

The purpose of this funding is to support informed, diverse and representative civil society participation in Ireland’s engagement with the UN UPR process. Participation in the Pre-sessions enables CSOs to present key human rights concerns directly to Permanent Missions in Geneva and contribute to the international review of Ireland’s human rights record.

Further information about the Pre-sessions is available at: https://upr-info.org/en/node/2299

A detailed guide to Civil Society participation in the UPR is available from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC):

https://www.ihrec.ie/publications/civil-society-guide-to-reporting-under-the-universal-periodic-review

Funding available

• Funding is available for up to 10 representatives to support travel and subsistence costs for attendance at the UPR Pre-sessions (26-28 August 2026, Geneva).
• Each successful applicant will be awarded a grant of up to €3,000 to contribute towards travel and subsistence costs associated with attendance at the Pre-sessions.
• To ensure a wide range of organisations are represented at the Pre-sessions, organisations / coalitions may receive funding for one person to attend.
• This funding is intended solely to support the participation of a nominated individual at the specified Pre-sessions and must be used for that purpose.

Eligibility and Priority Criteria

Applications are invited from representatives of Irish-based Civil Society Organisations that:

• Have made a stakeholder submission to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as part of Ireland’s Fourth Cycle UPR; and
• Can demonstrate that they have registered for, or been accredited to attend, the UPR Pre-sessions organised by UPR Info.

Applicants should note that registration timelines and accreditation criteria for the UPR Pre-sessions are determined by UPR Info and are separate from this funding call.

While all eligible applications will be considered, in the event of over-subscription priority will be given to applicants meeting one or more of the following criteria, to ensure representation of a broad constituency:

• Representatives of organisations that submitted to the UN a joint/coalition Stakeholder Submission report.
• Representatives of co-ordinating organisations that submitted to the UN a joint/coalition Stakeholder Submission report.
• Representatives of organisations that represent stakeholders covering multiple protected grounds as recognised by the Employment Equality Acts and Equal Status Acts.
• Representatives that participated in a stakeholder consultation event hosted by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality or Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) in preparation for the Fourth Cycle review.

Assessment

Following the closing date for applications, an Assessment Committee comprising representatives of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and an independent expert will evaluate the applications.

Applications will first be reviewed for compliance with the eligibility criteria set out in this call. Applications that do not meet these criteria will not be considered further.

Eligible applications will be assessed having regard to:

• The applicant’s level of engagement with the UPR Stakeholder Submission process.
• The extent to which the application aligns with the priority criteria.
• The contribution the applicant would make to the objective of ensuring a balanced and diverse representation of civil society perspectives and the broadest possible coverage of the protected grounds recognised by the Employment Equality Acts and Equal Status Acts.

In line with the objectives of this call, the Assessment Committee may exercise discretion to ensure a balanced and representative cohort of participants across civil society sectors and protected grounds.

The decision of the Assessment Committee will be final.

Notification and Payment

All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of the selection process.

Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of accreditation or confirmation of participation prior to the release of funding.

Grant payments will be made by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality via electronic funds transfer, subject to the completion of all required documentation and provision of bank account details. A Registered Charity Number or Tax Reference Number (with a Valid Tax Clearance Certificate issued) is required for payment.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality reserves the right to request supporting documentation (e.g. receipts or confirmation of attendance) following the event.

Application Process

Only applications submitted using the application form provided, by email to UN_UPR@dcde.gov.ie by close of business (17:30) on Monday 29 June 2026, will be considered.

Application Form for Expressions of Interest

Application Guidelines for Expressions of Interest

Any queries about the process may also be directed to UN_UPR@dcde.gov.ie.

Timeline

Monday 15 June 2026 Call opens

Monday 29 June 2026 Call closes (17:30)

Monday 6 July 2026 Applicants informed of outcome

Data Protection

• The Department of Children, Disability and Equality will process personal data provided as part of this application in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Acts 1988–2018.
• Details of funding recipients and associated records may also be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
• All data will be retained only for as long as necessary for the purposes outlined above, in line with the Department’s data retention policies.