[pr-x] NED failed to disclose 21% of Cuba grants

[michael lebowitz]

about:reader?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcubamoneyproject.com%2F2021%2F03%2F09%2Fned-3%2F 

cubamoneyproject.com <http://cubamoneyproject.com/2021/03/09/ned-3/>


  NED failed to disclose 21% of Cuba grants

Tracey Eaton
23-28 minutes
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The U.S. taxpayer-financed National Endowment for Democracy in February 
published a list of organizations that received $5,077,788 in NED grants 
for work in Cuba in 2020.
The project with the highest dollar amount was worth $650,000 and titled 
“Promoting Greater Access to Uncensored Information to Cubans.”
The NED censored the names of 15 organizations or projects receiving a 
total of $1,062,136 in grants or 21 percent of the amount awarded.
The undisclosed recipients carried out a variety of projects. They included:

  * Promoting Access to Independent Sports Coverage in Cuba
  * Promoting Freedom of Expression in Cuba through the Arts
  * Promoting Independent Thinking in Cuba
  * Strengthening Access to Information and Enhancing Critical Thinking
    in Central Cuba
  * Promoting the Use of Data in Journalism in Cuba
  * Times of Change and a New Role for Different Sectors in Cuba
  * Fostering a Plural Information Space in Cuba

<http://cubamoneyproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ned-recipients1.jpg>

The full NED list is below:

The Advocating for a Human Rights Framework in EU-Cuba Relations
International Platform for Human Rights in Cuba
$87,253
To advocate for inclusion of human rights and the perspectives of Cuban 
civil society as part of EU engagement with the Cuban government. The 
grantee will monitor the implementation of the EU-Cuba bilateral treaty 
and engage relevant actors in the EU to present them the views and needs 
of Cuban civil society. The group will also promote greater 
understanding of Cuban activists of the opportunities offered by the new 
framework of EU-Cuba relations to advance human rights in Cuba.

Documenting and Reporting Human Rights Violations in Cuba
Cubalex
$150,000
To document and report human rights violations in Cuba. The organization 
will work with civil society groups on the island to document human 
rights violations according to international standards. Using this 
information, it will provide legal assistance to victims on the island, 
report on Cuba’s human rights record to international organizations and 
governments, and advocate for greater respect for human rights and 
protection to victims in Cuba.

Empowering Cuban Hip Hop Artists as Leaders in Society
Fundacion Cartel Urbano
$110,000
To empower Cuban artists to promote citizen participation and social 
change. The group will carry out workshops, cultural exchanges and 
artistic events during its Hip Hop Summit in Colombia. It will promote 
South-to-South collaboration and invite artists from around the world to 
share their experiences of social transformation. The organization will 
mentor artists and provide technical capacity to strengthen their work. 
The group will also raise awareness about the role hip-hop artists have 
in strengthening democracy in the region.

Empowering Cuban Women to Reduce Gender Based Violence
National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI)
$500,000
To increase Cuban women’s knowledge of gender rights and issues, enable 
men to become partners in these efforts and strengthen the ability of 
Cuban activists to promote and advocate for new laws and public policies 
that address and reduce violence against women, the Institute will 
facilitate a gender observatory to support the monitoring and gathering 
of statistical data around gender and political violence, as well gender 
clinics and laboratories to support participants to identify and press 
for solutions to the problem of gender violence in Cuba.

Fostering a Plural Information Space in Cuba
Freedom of Information
$80,000
To promote freedom of expression and a plural and independent 
information space in Cuba. The organization will cover stories of Cuban 
reality on the island and of the Cuban diaspora. It will focus on making 
information available to broad audience in Cuba and will develop 
alliances with media abroad to reach a larger public.

Fostering Independent Thinking and Writing in Cuba
Editorial Hypermedia Inc.
$93,941
To promote greater freedom of expression and independent writing among 
Cuban intellectuals. The organization will compile and distribute 
censored books produced by Cuban exiled writers to intellectuals on the 
island. The organization will conduct two essay contests to encourage 
independent writing among its target audience, and produce and 
distribute a bi-annual print magazine in Cuba. Finally, the organization 
will publish the winning pieces from its essay contests and present it 
at book fairs and other relevant spaces.

Fostering New Democratic Leadership in Cuba
Latin American Center for Nonviolence
$48,597
To strengthen the leadership skills and organizational capacity of the 
Coalition of Cuban Self-Employed Workers (C3). With LACENV support, C3 
will produce and distribute an organizational bulletin, carry out a fair 
for self-employed workers, and organize a workshop for women 
entrepreneurs. LACENV will also help C3 organize virtual and in-person 
trainings for self-employed workers, and include other sectors of the 
population in C3.

Freedom of Expression in Cuba and Inclusion in Latin America’s Regional 
Agenda
Instituto de Comunicación y Desarrollo
$79,300
To promote awareness and discussion of freedom of expression (FOE) 
violations in Cuba. The organization will engage with Cuban partners to 
incorporate Cuba into its regional reports on FOE and Access to Public 
Information. It will also work with Cuban civil society to prepare a 
comprehensive report that will be shared before the United Nations Human 
Rights Committee in Geneva. The organization will also conduct formal 
and informal advocacy meetings with its Cuban partners while in Geneva.

Generating Awareness on Cuba’s Role in the Region and Assessing 
Challenges to Democratic Consolidation
Transparencia Electoral
$74,945
To promote increased awareness of Cuba’s impact on democracy in the 
region, and to assess the most pressing challenges to democracy in Latin 
America. The organization will carry out three conferences in Latin 
America to discuss Cuba in a regional context and assess the state of 
democracy in the region. The organization will also produce and 
disseminate a final publication on the findings of the conferences, and 
strengthen a nascent regional network to defend democratic values.

Integrating Cuba into Regional Media Networks
Investigacion e Innovacion Factual A.C.
$74,000
To support and integrate young Cuban journalists into a regional network 
of digital media initiatives throughout Latin America and to highlight 
the stories of Cubans as part of the emerging leaders in Latin America. 
The organization will select, train, and mentor Cuban journalists on how 
to conduct investigative reporting, collaborate with regional peers, and 
publish stories for digital media outlets. The group will also include 
Cuban panelists at its annual digital media conference and profile Cuban 
emerging leaders in its publications.

Monitoring and Raising Awareness about the State of Human Rights in Cuba
Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos
$150,000
To monitor and raise international awareness about the situation of 
human rights in Cuba, including the effects of COVID-19. The grantee 
will submit urgent requests for the protection of victims to UN 
agencies, and produce monthly reports, statements, and press releases to 
report violations to domestic and international actors. The grantee will 
expand its international advocacy efforts with relevant international 
stakeholders.

Promoting Access to Independent Sports Coverage in Cuba
Freedom of Information
$50,000
To promote freedom of information in Cuba by providing public access to 
independent sports news and analysis. The organization will produce and 
disseminate journalism through its platforms that uses sport as a 
vehicle to narrate the political, social, and cultural realities of 
Cuban society. To attract a broader audience, it will place a special 
focus on creative reporting modalities to depict the daily challenges 
faced by Cuba’s athletes.

Promoting Access to Information in Cuba
Agora Cuba Inc.
$75,860
To enhance access to information in Cuba. The organization will expand 
upon an existing online platform, which enables access to uncensored 
web-based information through email. The platform, which already 
provides online education, independent media, and social news services, 
will expand to include other new services and partners as identified and 
improve to become more user friendly.

Promoting Access to Uncensored Information in Cuba
Asociacion Diario de Cuba
$215,000
To promote greater access to independent news and analysis about Cuba. 
Working with a wide range of independent journalists and analysts, the 
grantee will publish continuously on its digital platform. Collaborators 
will receive mentoring so that they produce content more independently 
and professionally. News coverage will focus on civil society actions, 
the impact of government policies, and developments in Latin America.

<http://cubamoneyproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/purpose.jpg>

Promoting Access to Uncensored Information in Cuba
Freedom of Information
$72,000
To promote greater access to independent news and analysis about Cuba. 
The organization will produce uncensored information on political, 
social, and economic developments in Cuba, including outside of Havana 
and more remote areas of the country. It will use innovative formats and 
multimedia content to bring stories to its audiences.

Promoting Accountability on Human Rights Violations and Social Conflicts
Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba, Inc.
$126,000
To fight impunity against human rights violations and to raise awareness 
about social conflicts in Cuba. The organization will work with partners 
on the island to document the actions and publicly expose perpetrators 
of human rights violations. The grantee will also support citizens to 
document and peacefully resolve cases of social conflicts in their 
communities.

Promoting Community Reporting in Cuba
Instituto Cubano por la Libertad de Expresión y Prensa
$146,360
To promote greater, uncensored access to information in communities 
throughout Cuba and to strengthen the capacity of community journalists. 
Based in Miami, the grantee will support six independent, community 
media outlets across the island to produce news bulletins for local 
residents. The grantee will provide its counterparts in Cuba with the 
equipment and technical assistance necessary to design and print these 
news bulletins.

Promoting Freedom of Expression and Independent Media in Cuba
Freedom of Information
$56,500
To promote freedom of expression and a plural and independent 
information space in Cuba. The organization will increase its content 
production, focusing on social participation, democratic values, and 
civil society empowerment while covering issues of public interest in 
Cuba. The organization will use multiple types of media, including video 
and photography, to reach a larger audience.

Promoting Freedom of Expression in Cuba through the Arts
Cultura Democratica
$49,106
To promote greater freedom of expression in Cuba. The organization will 
work with a collective of independent artists in Cuba to help them 
consolidate artistic projects on themes related to democracy, human 
rights, and historical memory. The organization will bring Cuban artists 
to Argentina for a series of public and private events with Argentine 
artists and intellectuals to increase awareness about the Cuban reality.

Promoting Freedom of the Press in Cuba
Freedom of Information
$33,180
To raise awareness of freedom of the press violations in Cuba and 
strengthen its relationship with independent media and journalists. The 
group will collect information from independent media about freedom of 
the press violations that it will publish in its monthly bulletins and 
report attacks against journalists and bloggers. The group will 
disseminate this information on-island and to organizations promoting 
press freedom in the world. It will also will provide legal and 
financial support to journalists and bloggers who face press freedom 
attacks.

Promoting Greater Access to Uncensored Information to Cubans
Cuban Democratic Directorate
$650,000
To promote greater access to uncensored information to Cuban citizens 
and pro-democracy activists and facilitate greater communication among 
them. The organization will produce radio programs with news and 
analysis, prioritizing topics such as the effects of the covid-19 
pandemic on the economy, human rights issues, and the conditions of 
healthcare workers in third country missions. The radio programs and 
information about civil society initiatives will be distributed on 
social media. The group will also support civic activities carried out 
by civil society activists in Cuba.

PROMOTING INCLUSION OF MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS IN CUBA
Democratic Ideas and Values
$23,500
To promote the inclusion of marginalized populations in Cuban society 
and to strengthen a network of on-island partners. The project will 
provide a space for these sectors of the population to interact, share 
ideas, and participate in dialogues about problems facing their 
communities. It will also carry out workshops for leaders on citizen 
participation, gender equality, human rights, and advocacy efforts.

Promoting Independent Thinking in Cuba
Freedom of Information
$75,000
To promote greater freedom of expression and independent writing among 
Cuban intellectuals. The group will produce its online independent 
magazine that promotes debate around cultural and social issues in Cuba. 
Journalists, columnists, writers, and photographers who are unable to 
print their work in official media will have the opportunity to publish 
their opinion pieces in the magazine.

Promoting Local Accountability and Citizen Oversight
Accountability and Governance
$120,267
To promote local-level accountability and interaction between activists 
and community members as they seek solutions to their local problems. 
The project will collect information, document issues affecting 
communities and demand for solutions before local-level entities. The 
project will also produce a newsletter to raise awareness of these 
problems and to connect citizens with initiatives and activists.

Promoting the Use of Data in Journalism in Cuba
Freedom of Information
Novation $91,319
To promote access to and use of public data from Cuba. The organization 
will aggregate publicly available data from Cuba and develop datasets to 
produce analysis on the reality of the island. The organization will 
collaborate with the press to help Cuban audiences have better access to 
information through data-based journalism.

Sharp Power and the Evolution of Politics under a New Constitution in Cuba
Gobierno y Análisis Político AC
Novation $115,000
To promote greater international awareness of Cuba’s power projection 
and presence in Latin America and to foster critical understanding of 
the implications and implementation of the new constitution in Cuba. The 
organization will conduct research on Cuban international influence, and 
the implementation of the transformed institutional framework of the 
state that the new Cuban constitution established.

Situated Journalism: Innovative Perspectives on Cuba
Asociación Civil Cronos
$80,000
To enhance the capacity of Cuban independent journalism to cover 
different angles of violence and crisis in the Covid-19 pandemic and its 
aftermath, and to foster stronger ties between Cuban independent 
journalists and their counterparts in the rest of Latin America. The 
organization will develop a comprehensive series of online trainings on 
journalism that are relevant for a context of crisis. The program will 
bring together participants from Cuba and other Latin American countries 
to foster collaboration, using different styles and innovative media.

Strengthening Access to Information and Enhancing Critical Thinking in 
Central Cuba
Freedom of Information
$50,000
To strengthen access to information and enhance critical thinking in 
Cuba. On a weekly basis, articles and audiovisual materials will be 
produced to strengthen access to information. Further, social media 
sites and other messaging apps will be used to increase on-island 
circulation of uncensored information on local and national social, 
cultural, economic, and political developments.

Strengthening Civil Society Capacity in Democratic Political Processes
Instituto Interamericano de Derechos Humanos
$95,000
To strengthen the capacity of Cuban civil society activists to promote 
democratic elections on the island. Cuban participants will join 
election observation missions in Latin America and attend workshops on 
election observation and human rights topics. The project will 
facilitate a discussion between its Cuban partners and Latin American 
electoral experts to raise their awareness about the undemocratic nature 
of Cuba’s electoral system.

Strengthening Critical Thinking and Democratic Values in Cuba
Freedom of Information
$99,980
To promote critical thinking, the free flow of information, and 
democratic values in Cuba. The organization will consolidate the reach 
and impact of its digital publications. It will also work on publishing 
historic documents and materials on Cuban and Latin American history. It 
will disseminate this information and its publications in Cuba and the 
rest of Latin America.

Strengthening Democratic Dialogue on Cuban-Led Reform Ideas II
Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)
$309,766
To strengthen the capacity of independent pro-democracy think tanks in 
Cuba to develop objective economic analysis and reform ideas and to 
expand openings in civic spaces for market-oriented organizations to 
support a growing private sector. The center will provide support for 
two emerging Cuban pro-democracy think tanks to attend program 
management workshops off the island, provide assistance for on-island 
activities, and organize an international conference with other partner 
think tanks working in similar conditions or in a similar field of work.

Strengthening Independent Journalism in Cuba
Instituto Prensa y Sociedad
$70,523
To strengthen the reporting and investigative skills of Cuban 
independent journalists and to promote greater interaction between them 
and their Latin American counterparts. The organization will train 
journalists on fundamental concepts of journalism, and place them with a 
professional media outlet in Peru for an on-the-job experience. The 
organization will also foster interaction between Cuban and Latin 
American journalists through collaborative investigative pieces.

Strengthening Independent Media and Accountability in Cuba
Fundacion Espacio Publico
$108,000
To strengthen Cuban journalists’ capacity to promote greater government 
accountability in Cuba and to promote interactions and links among Cuban 
and Latin American independent journalists. The organization will carry 
out a training program on how to conduct investigative journalism. The 
Cuban participants will engage in exchanges with journalists from other 
countries, and will receive advice and feedback on their work from an 
editorial board composed of Latin American journalists. The organization 
will provide constant remote mentorship to the participants.

Strengthening the Capacity of Independent Civic Initiatives in Cuba
People in Need Slovakia (PIPA)
$60,000
To strengthen the capacity of independent civic centers and initiatives 
in Cuba to promote democratic ideas and values. Based in Bratislava, the 
organization will work with groups of independent journalists, students, 
and civil society activists to strengthen their institutional capacity 
and ability to carry out activities more effectively. In addition, the 
grantee will organize a study visit for its beneficiaries in Slovakia.

Strengthening the Capacity of Independent Media Professionals in Cuba
Clovek v tisni, o.p.s. (People in Need)
$150,882
To strengthen the capacity of independent media professionals in Cuba. 
The grantee will provide Cuban beneficiaries with training and technical 
assistance to produce uncensored content on social, political, economic, 
and cultural developments in Cuba. The grantee will also build the 
technical capacity of independent organizations throughout Cuba to carry 
out initiatives aimed at increasing the free flow of information.

Strengthening the Democracy and Leadership Skills of Cuban Youth Activists
Instituto Político para la Libertad Perú
$85,000
To strengthen the leadership capacity of Cuban pro-democracy youth 
activists and to promote interaction between citizens in Cuba and 
individuals from Latin American democratic societies. The organization 
will offer online and in-person trainings on youth rights, youth 
participation in politics, digital communications, and international 
standards of freedom of expression and democracy. The group will also 
bring Cuban youth activists to other Latin American countries to 
interact with their pro-democracy counterparts from democratic countries.

Strengthening Tools to Measure Governability and Social Conflict in Cuba
Arlenica, Arte, Lenguaje e Investigación para el Cambio Social
Supplement $11,940
To strengthen analysis about governance in Cuba. The organization will 
develop a governability index to measure and compare Cuba’s political 
system with other countries in the world. It will analyze the Cuban 
government’s structure and performance in areas such as the rule of law, 
political participation, effectiveness, political stability, 
transparency and economic freedom. It will also assess the public’s 
satisfaction with its government and track citizens’ actions to promote 
policies that are more democratic through the creation of a social 
conflict observatory.

Supporting Human Rights Defenders in Cuba
Center for a Free Cuba
$80,000
To provide humanitarian assistance to political prisoners, their 
families, and human rights activists in Cuba. The organization will work 
with its partners to distribute humanitarian assistance to political 
prisoners, their family members, and other members of Cuban civil 
society. To increase access to uncensored information, the organization 
will also provide human rights defenders with technical equipment to 
document life in Cuba and convey information to outside organizations 
and actors.

Supporting Independent Journalism in Cuba
Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR)
$145,230
To strengthen collaboration among Cuban independent journalists to 
promote freedom of expression. The grantee will work with several 
independent journalists and media organizations to promote mutual 
understanding and solidarity among them, and to strengthen their skills 
on the use of social media. The organization will also encourage and 
support collaborative efforts among journalists affiliated to different 
media outlets.

Supporting Independent Unions, Self-Employed Workers, and Labor Rights
Grupo Internacional para la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa en Cuba
$230,000
To promote labor rights and strengthen the capacity of Cuba’s 
independent labor movement. The organization will provide independent 
labor activists in Cuba with assistance to forge a more coordinated 
labor movement on the island. In addition, the organization will work 
with a nascent association of self-employed workers to promote labor 
rights in the informal sector. It will also conduct an international 
information dissemination and awareness campaign on the situation 
regarding labor rights in Cuba.

Supporting Independent Writers and Artists in Cuba
Vista Larga Foundation Corp
$83,000
To support Cuba’s independent writers and artists to produce and 
disseminate their work freely. The organization will help writers 
strengthen the quality of their work and publish pieces inside and 
outside of the island. It will feature their work in its quarterly 
literary magazine, Puente a La Vista, on social media and through videos 
on YouTube. The organization will also raise awareness about repression 
targeting independent writers, artists and musicians through online 
campaigns.

Times of Change and a New Role for Different Sectors in Cuba
Democratic Ideas and Values
$71,339
To enhance civil society’s understanding and capacity to propose 
political alternatives. Activities will include research on the role of 
different state institutions in transitions to democracy as well as 
discussion of this subject among Cuban civil society representatives, 
with an emphasis on the experiences of other countries in the region.

-- 
---------------------
Michael A. Lebowitz
Professor Emeritus
Economics Department
Simon Fraser University Canada V5A 1S6
Home: 901-2001 Beach Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6G 1Z3
Home: Phone 604-689-9510
Cell: 604-789-4803

Latest Book: Between Capitalism and Community
[https://monthlyreview.org/product/between_capitalism_and_community/]


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.resist.ca/pipermail/project-x/attachments/20210313/22cea588/attachment-0001.htm>