2019 Open Call

The End Violence Fund recently requested Expressions of Interest focused on solutions that leverage existing and new technologies to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse. As of January 15, 2020, this call is officially closed. 

We received over 280 individual Expressions of Interest for this funding round and are currently reviewing applications. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted if invited to submit a full proposal by the end of February. Thank you to those who submitted their Expressions of Interest!

Through this call, the Fund will explore scaling/adapting existing solutions and developing new technologies, using tools such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, blockchain, virtual reality and other innovative solutions that have the potential to enhance detection and response to online child sexual exploitation and abuse and prevent known and emerging threats. Total funds to be awarded through this open call is approximately US$13 million. *

* The total amount to be awarded will depend on the quality and volume of received applications i.e. the Fund may decide to slightly increase or lower the amount if specific opportunities arise or as a result of the initial assessment of applications.

We are looking for solutions that can help achieve one or more of the four objectives below:

(1) Detect, remove and report images and videos with sexual content or acts involving children and adolescents (often referred to as child sexual abuse material, or CSAM).

(2) Block adults’ access to children on digital platforms intended to sexually abuse them (usually referred to as online sexual grooming or solicitation).

(3) Stop live-streaming of child sexual abuse performed in front of a camera (usually referred to as live-streaming of child sexual abuse material).

(4) Prevent online sexual abuse of children before it happens, including prevention and solutions that directly target online child sex offenders and adults with a sexual interest in children.

Vietnam World Vision
Students in Vietnam pose for a photograph while attending the Da Nang Social Work Conference in March 2019. This conference was supported by the End Violence Fund as part of World Vision Vietnam's Tackling Online Child Sexual Exploitation Project. Photo credit: World Vision Vietnam 2019

 

The End Violence 2019 open call funding will be available through two modalities: (a) project grants and (b) equity-free seed investments. *

As in previous years, we will actively seek applications from civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, international organisations, research institutes and academic institutions for the grant portion of this funding. In addition, for the first time in the Fund's history, we will identify a small cohort of technology companies working on solutions for the prevention of online child sexual exploitation and abuse for our equity-free seed investments. Please note that most of the available funds (approximately US$10 million) aim to support solutions which will benefit countries eligible for ODA support. The remaining funds (approximately US$3 million) are not subject to this restriction and can support work in non-ODA countries.

* The End Violence Fund does not seek a financial return, nor does it take equity in your company. Instead, it requires that all code, content or hardware developed and tested be open-source and publicly available. Occasional exceptions to the open-source rule will be considered if justified by the nature and/or sensitivity of the proposed solution. Also, the Fund does not support the creation of new business lines for private companies. The Fund provides seed funds to support the development of solutions to the stage where these are proven to be workable and can be implemented and/or scaled.

Step 1: Check that your organisation/company and project meet the eligibility criteria

Check the eligibility criteria and ensure:

  • Your organisation is legally registered
  • The proposed solution addresses one or more of the four objectives of the 2019 Funding Round
  • Your organisation has a safeguarding policy in place (and associated procedures, including data privacy) or is willing to develop a policy *
  • The proposed solution responds to a clear need/gap, does not duplicate existing tools, and builds upon and/or interacts with existing solutions
  • At a minimum, you have an existing prototype with promising results from initial pilots

* The Partnership is committed to supporting organisations to improve their safeguarding capacity and practice. As part of this, we will ask all grantees to complete the Grantee Self-assessment, which can be found on the materials sidebar. While this is not required as part of your expression of interest, please note all shortlisted organisations and companies will be expected to complete this as part of the proposal. Organisations who submit a full proposal will also be allowed to include a budget line for safeguarding work. 

Step 2: Read the Request for Expressions of Interest document (REOI)

Please read the full Request for Expression of Interest document to understand the submission process and learn more about kinds of projects that qualify and how the scoring will be done. It will help you focus on what’s important.

Step 3: Any Questions?

Check out Frequently Asked Questions in the tab to the right.

Step 4: Submit your expression of interest

Submit your expression of interest by completing the form (now inactive).

All submissions must be made in English. If you wish to preview the questions to prepare your submission, view and download this PDF. 

Please note that we will only accept applications that will be entered in the online form.

To support your preparation, please note that the submission form also asks for a link to a two-minute pitch video. Detailed instructions can be found in the application form.

All submissions must be made in English. We encourage you to submit your application when ready as we will be reviewing on an ongoing basis. However, the last day for submissions of expressions of interest is 15 January 2020.

Only shortlisted organisations/companies will be contacted and invited to submit a detailed proposal.

The below questions were submitted by applicants and potential applicants through the open call's FAQ form. Please check back for updates and feel free to reach out through the form for additional questions. 

Q: I submitted an application today but did not receive an automatic email to confirm that my application had been received. Is this normal?
A: Yes. If you submit your application and see a green checkmark with the following message: Thank You! Your submission has been received then we have received your submission successfully. Our platform does not send automatic confirmation via email.

Q: Are UN agencies eligible to apply?
A: Yes. We encourage you to consult internally at your agency to determine whether other departments will also submit and whether a joint application would, therefore, be preferable.

Q: I would like to know if there's a deadline for submitting the grantee self-assessment? We're interested in pursuing this call, but we want to make sure that we are following all salient steps before submitting formally on or before December 6.
A: There is no need to submit the Grantee Self-Assessment at the Expression of Interest stage. It was shared so that applicants could understand what would be required of shortlisted organisations and companies since they will be expected to complete this as part of the full proposal.

Q: We are a consortium that consists of several child-focused organisations and are interested in applying for this opportunity. One organisation will act as the lead and others as members of the consortium. Are we allowed to partner with other organisations (outside the consortium) that can support the technology system?
A: Yes, this is possible. We advise you to explain clearly in the Expression of Interest how the partnership would work, and the expertise and role of the additional partner in relation to the technology solution being proposed.

Q: We are a consortium of six child-focused NGOs and are interested in applying for this opportunity. One NGO will be the lead. Is it possible to partner with other NGOs or private sector groups who have the technology prototype?
A: Yes, this is possible. We advise you to explain clearly in the Expression of Interest how the partnership would work, and the expertise and role of the additional partner in relation to the technology solution being proposed.

Q: Do you require a full budget for the EoI or just an estimated total? If a full budget estimate is required, is there a specific budget format to follow? Is it correctly understood that no log frame is required at this stage?
A: No. A full budget and logical framework with a template will be shared should your organisation be shortlisted to submit a full proposal.

Q: Will advocacy efforts towards the adoption of existing tech solutions qualify under this call?
A: This Call for EoIs is specifically focused on technology as a fundamental part of the solution to online CSEA. Since the focus is on roll-out and scale-up of existing technologies, it does allow for initiatives combining technology solutions with implementation, which both require careful contextualization and associated capacity building and advocacy. However, submissions focused only on the capacity building and/or advocacy will not meet the core criteria laid out in the Call.

Q: My organisation is a non-profit that provides offline helplines. I do not think we are ready yet with a working prototype. Can we apply later or next year? is there a deadline or application?  A: The final date to submit an EoI is 6 December 2019. If you are not ready to apply through this Funding Round, we recommend you to revisit our website periodically to see when another Funding Round is active and apply if your proposal meets the criteria as specified.

Q: Does the planned contribution for the grant have to be monetary? Or can it be a valued contribution?
A: The Fund intends to award financial grants to organisations that are selected.

Q: Can an existing system be considered as the existing prototype?
A: For the purposes of this Call, an existing prototype is a technology that has already been developed and piloted/tested in some way and may or may not have been implemented and used for the purposes for which it was built, or for other purposes with the intention being to adapt it to meet the objectives of the Call.

Q: The international NGO I am working with is partnering with experts in technology who have a prototype with initial positive results which is currently under an open-source licence. However, our project seeks to bring the prototype to production, and given the purpose of this technology, it would be counter-productive for this to remain under an open-source licence. Can exceptions be made in this respect, in line with your response to Question number 21 regarding companies which plan to submit a proposal?
 A: In the interests of ensuring that technology designed or adapted to address one or more of the key objectives of the Call is available at limited or no cost to targeted stakeholders, the Fund does encourage applicants to explain their plan for making their solution accessible and open source if and where possible. However, the End Violence Fund also acknowledges that the objectives of the Call relate to sensitive issues and potentially the processing of illegal or sensitive content, the processing of which is only permissible to authorized persons and organisations. As such, a submission that clearly articulates the rationale for not using or not maintaining an open source license will be carefully and equally considered by the Fund.

Q: If an INGO leads the project, can it have a partnership with a private firm/organisation for technological support under Modality A?
A: Yes. In this case, the INGO would be the applicant and would be responsible for sub-contracting the private firm to implement the project. However, as the Fund is hosted administratively by UNICEF, under UNICEF grant-making rules, any sub-contract for more than 50 per cent of the overall grant requires approval and vetting.

Q: Our organisation has a very strong child safeguarding policy and it is mandatory to follow it. However, what do you mean by "Data Privacy?"
A: Data Privacy refers to the policies and procedures in place to ensure that all data obtained and/or processed for the purposes of the activities carried out under the grant agreement are clearly articulated and that adherence to those policies and procedures is monitored. This data may relate to children or adults, but in the case of a Child Safeguarding Policy, Data Privacy should be considered in conjunction with this policy.

Q: Is it okay to apply if the application can identify the behaviour of the abuser and can report, but cannot stop it?
A: The investigation and prosecution of persons who sexually abuse children fall under the mandate of law enforcement or other legally competent organisations. These may also work with technology providers or other organisations with a legal mandate in their country to act in relation to content and activities that constitute child sexual abuse and exploitation. Any proposal submitted in relation to this Call should be able to demonstrate that data retrieved, accessed and/or referred in relation to perpetrators of child sexual abuse is obtained through legal means.

Q: To stop any online activity, permission is required nationally or individually or from Internet Service Providers based on the level of the coverage, since it might hamper one's national privacy. In this state, who will take this permission or does the End Violence Fund have any agreement with the country/relevant authorities? Or, can it be done without permission?
A: Any proposal submitted in relation to this Call should be able to demonstrate that data retrieved, accessed and/or referred in relation to potential child sexual abuse and exploitation is obtained through legal means and according to the proper legal channels in place in the country of jurisdiction. The laws and regulations that exist in each country will determine the type and nature of the activity that is permitted by authorized actors. The End Violence Fund is in no way or at any time responsible or competent to engage in discussion or activity in this regard.

Q: Can a non-profit and a private tech company send in a combined expression of interest? If yes, can the allocation limit be combined ($750k + $250k)?
A: Modality A and Modality B are distinct in nature and obligations of the applicant. As such, a combination is not possible in one application. However, applicants are not discouraged from creating linkages between an application made in Modality A and another via Modality B, provided that both applications meet the criteria laid out for the respective modality.

Q: We are currently piloting a prototype IT solution (chatbot in Rwanda) but the midline evaluation will not be complete until Mar/April. I'm not sure if you would consider this as "an existing prototype of the open-source solution with promising results from initial pilots?" Also, it is open source in that anyone can access it for free, but the IT platform is not open source. Does this disqualify us?
A: End Violence encourages the submission of proposals related to technology solutions already in use or in the piloting stage. We seek open source solutions where possible, but in the case that this is not feasible, we advise applicants to clearly explain the arrangement in place.

Q: Is South Sudan included for this call from proposal 2019?
Q: Is Congo is an eligible country?
Q: Hello, My organisation from India. Can I apply for it?

A: This call is for technology solutions to tackle the four objectives outlined in the documentation. It is not geographically bound, so organisations based anywhere in the world are eligible to apply.

Q: We are an NGO that fulfils all eligibility criteria except the following: At a minimum, you have an existing prototype with promising results from initial pilots. We will, however, form a consortium with a partner that provides the prototype. Can we still apply as the primary applicant?
A: End Violence welcomes submissions by consortia of organisations and understands that in some cases the technology solution will be offered by an organisation other than the primary applicant. A technology prototype should exist and be formally available to the primary applicant through a partnership or sub-contracting arrangement for the purposes of the project for which it is applying for funding.

Q: In addition to the End Violence Fund, I understand that there must be a contribution from the requesting organisation or its allies. Does that contribution have to be monetary? Or can it be of another type (for example, with a percentage of the salary of assigned staff)? 
A: End Violence does not provide funding for core costs of an organisation. This funding round is specifically for technology solutions to tackle one or more of the core objectives outlined in the documentation. An applicant should be able to demonstrate that it can absorb potential funding, either by demonstrating additional budget for the project or by demonstrating that it can support the delivery and sustainability of the project with resources other than those provided by End Violence. The End Violence Fund welcomes co-funding from other sources.

Q: Can this project support massive sensitisation of internet cafes?
A: This funding round is specifically for technology solutions to tackle one or more of the core objectives outlined in the documentation.

Q: We are an industry association and would like to apply for this grant. We don’t have a technological solution but we have member companies who may have this solution or can develop such solutions. As an association, we can be the lead partners and bring on board, a CSO which is working on child rights in India, and can identify specific solutions and can help scale up these solutions within our membership. Is an industry association allowed to apply? Can we apply in partnership?
A: Please refer to the modality types for this funding round and to our guidance regarding partnerships and consortia. We understand that in many cases, one partner in an application will provide a technology solution that another partner cannot. All submitted applications must clearly provide specific information about an existing technology solution that will be applied to meet the objectives outlined in the documentation.

Q: I am a technology-focused NGO. My grantee self-assessment has a low score because we are not the type of NGO who would have any contact with and/or directly assist children. Should we attach a memo, or is this something you have encountered in the past?
A: All organisations in receipt of funding are asked to provide information about a safeguarding policy or demonstrate a willingness to develop one should they be successful in their application for funding. Please note that child safeguarding relates not only to children with which the NGO has contact, but also to the conduct of the organisation’s employees, governance and volunteers in relation to children, the existence of policies and procedures to address any issues arising, and also the use of any data relating to children with which the applicant organisation will come into contact. Further advice and support would be provided to all organisations in this regard, including through analysis of a self-assessment. Please also note that at the Expressions of Interest stage, applicants are NOT required to do a grantee self-assessment; this is only required once they are invited to submit a full proposal or selected as a grantee.

Q: Can organisations from different countries apply together as co-applicants in this call?
A: Please refer to our guidance regarding partnerships and consortia. There are no specific requirements regarding the physical and/or registration location of the applicant organisations and partners.

Q: Do we not need to submit our budget details on the submission, as I couldn't find any particularly attachment box or section for this part?
Q: What level of detail is needed for the budget?
​​​​​​A: At the stage of the EOI, applicants are asked to provide an estimate of total costs for the project, where possible with top-level detail about the breakdown of this total. Any organisation invited to submit a full proposal will be required to submit a detailed budget for review, a template of which will be shared accordingly the End Violence Fund.

Q: We would like to know if the existing prototype is required for all proposed solutions or only open-source solutions.
A: This funding round is specifically for technology solutions that are already in use or are being piloted and that have the potential to tackle one or more of the core objectives outlined in the documentation. An existing prototype for the proposed solution is required, but we acknowledge that a project may require that prototype to be adapted for the purposes of this call using open source and/or proprietary/licensed solutions. All applicants are encouraged to explain clearly the combination of solutions being proposed, including the arrangements for licensing and the justification for that.

Q: Does it have to be an existing intervention, or can it be a new one such as a new app or web platform for online prevention?
A: This funding round is specifically for technology solutions that are already in use or are being piloted and that have the potential to tackle one or more of the core objectives outlined in the documentation. Further adaption of existing technology solutions is possible, but projects still at the conceptual stage are unlikely to meet the criteria for funding.

Q: We want to know in detail what refers to a prototype of the technological solution. It must be the complete software? Should you include the software application tests? Or simply a presentation of what the application would be?
A: An existing prototype should exist for the core component of the solution. All applicants are encouraged to explain clearly the combination of solutions being proposed, including the arrangements for licensing and the justification for that. End Violence acknowledges the combination of technology and licensing that may be needed to respond to this call and will review all applications in this light.

Q: Are you able to provide more details regarding under what circumstances the open-source requirement may be waived? Additionally, have you thought about what alternative models to pure open-source you may be open to, and if so, what these might be? (e.g. a multi-level license with, say, an open-source license for community/beneficiary level engagement with basic functionality alongside a full proprietary version).
A: In the interests of ensuring that technology designed or adapted to address one or more of the key objectives of the Call is available at limited or no cost to targeted stakeholders, the Fund does encourage applicants to explain their plan for making their solution accessible and open source if and where possible. However, the End Violence Fund also acknowledges that the objectives of the Call relate to sensitive issues and potentially the processing of illegal content, the processing of which is only permissible to authorized persons and organisations. As such, a submission that clearly articulates the rationale for not using or not maintaining an open-source license or that proposes an alternative model will be carefully considered.

Q: I am writing an application for Modality A. I want to clarify two things. 1) Does the open-source requirement apply to this part of the grant? (We will be deploying a new but existing technology developed by a partner organisation.) 2) Is $750,000 the maximum budget for our project or can it be a part of the total funding for a somewhat larger budget program?
A: 1) In the interests of ensuring that technology designed or adapted to address one or more of the key objectives of the Call is available at limited or no cost to targeted stakeholders, the Fund does encourage applicants to explain their plan for making their solution accessible and open source if and where possible. However, the End Violence Fund also acknowledges that the objectives of the Call relate to sensitive issues and potentially the processing of illegal content, the processing of which is only permissible to authorized persons and organisations. As such, a submission that clearly articulates the rationale for not using or not maintaining an open-source license or that proposes an alternative model will be carefully considered; 2) Under modality A, $750,000 is the maximum grant available to eligible organisations. However, this can be a contribution to a larger budget, in which case the applicant is requested to provide information about the total budget and the contribution requested from the Fund.

Q: We have extensive experience in machine learning and computer vision. However, we do not have a prototype built on our own for the specific application of CSEA, but we are technically quite capable of building on the open-source prototypes available online (built by others). Are we eligible to apply for the grant?
A: All EOIs are required to explain how an existing technology solution will be adapted and/or applied to respond to at least one of the four objectives outlined in the documentation. Adaption of an existing open-source prototype is admissible, and the applicant should outline clearly how this will be done and their relevant expertise and experience in doing so. Should the applicant have limited or no knowledge of the field of work – tackling online CSEA – then they can consider identifying an expert advisor to support the project they are proposing.

Q: What are the requirements for the private company to submit a letter of interest? Does it necessarily have to be a technology company?
A: Under modality B, a private company can submit an EOI for an equity-free investment of up to $250,000. This funding round is specifically for technology solutions that are already in use or are being piloted and that have the potential to tackle one or more of the core objectives outlined in the documentation. As such, a non-technology private company should consider how they will develop a project with the required technology component, which may mean collaboration with a technology company with the relevant expertise as well as an existing prototype of the proposed technology solution.

Q: Under funding modality A, is it possible to present a project proposal involving more than one country? If it is possible, can a regional project receive a grant allocation amount that is more than 750.000 USD?
A: Under modality A, the maximum grant available for one grantee for one project is USD 750,000. The project may involve working in more than one country or at the regional level, but the maximum amount applies.

Q: We would like to request a clarification from EVAC regarding the eligibility criteria, which stipulates that the applicant have “at a minimum, an existing prototype of the open-source solution with promising results from initial pilots.” Kindly confirm that, under Funding Modality A, solutions that utilize a combination of licensed and open-source elements remain eligible according to the “exceptions from the open-source rule as justified by the nature and/or sensitivity of the proposed solution.” In our case, the specific assets of the technology, which will be developed through the EVAC grant, will be open-sourced, while the basic technology will be licensed for free for the duration of the grant but will remain intellectual property of the partner private company, for security reasons, especially to avoid misuse of technology. Could you confirm this approach can be considered eligible or could you provide us with some examples on the exceptions?
A: In the interests of ensuring that technology designed or adapted to address one or more of the key objectives of the Call is available at limited or no cost to targeted stakeholders, the Fund does encourage applicants to explain their plan for making their solution accessible and open source if and where possible. However, the End Violence Fund also acknowledges that the objectives of the Call relate to sensitive issues and potentially the processing of illegal or sensitive content, the processing of which is only permissible to authorized persons and organisations. As such, a submission that clearly articulates the rationale for not using or not maintaining an open source license will be carefully and equally considered by the Fund.

Q: Buenas tardes esta convocatoria tiene ampliación de fecha de inscripción o era fecha única como se cuándo haya otra convocatoria.
A: The deadline for all applications is 15 January 2020. This is an extension of the original deadline in December 2019.

Q: We applied for the grant online, but we haven't received any confirmation. How we can be sure that our application was taken into account?
A: Our application management system does not generate a confirmation of receipt. If you are concerned that there was a technical fault during upload, please contact EVAC at fund@end-violence.org.

Q: When you will inform if the proposed solution (expression of interest) is accepted and can prepare full proposal? Is there a deadline for that decision?
Q: When can we expect information if a preliminary proposal has been accepted or not?

A: EVAC anticipates sending out invitations to submit a full proposal in early February.

Q: Is it only tech solutions that will be funded or is it enough that the tech solutions are part of the solution or solutions proposed?
A: The focus of this Call for Expressions of Interest is on advanced technology solutions to tackle the areas listed and at least 1 of the 4 stated objectives. We acknowledge that technology must be part of a broader solution. This means that additional activities directly related to the use and implementation of the proposed technology may be included in the proposal but must not be disproportionate to the core technological activities.

Q: Please help me find the online application that I had started, whereby I had reached the fourth stage but am unable to continue from where I have reached.
A: Our application management system does not save as you go. Please have all answers prepared by downloading the full PDF form on the sidebar of this page. 

Children in the Philippines use their phones.

Image Credits

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