1. Introduction of Abilis Foundation
Introduction of Abilis Foundation

2. Abilis Foundation Established in 1998
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

3.
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

4. Principles of Abilis work (1/2)
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, € / year

5. Principles of Abilis work (2/2)
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

6.
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 countries
About 68 % of the projects are in Abilis Partner Countries

7. Project application & decision process
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 letter
Payments in three (3) instalments
Reporting format: Narrative and Financial report

8. Types of ongoing projects
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

9. Accessibility and education
Accessibility and education

10. Income Generating Activity
Income Generating Activity

11.
Home Care Service

12. Vocational training to women
Vocational training to women

13. Accessibility – ramp construction
Accessibility – ramp construction

14. Poverty reduction – livestock farming
Poverty reduction – livestock farming

15.
Awareness raising

16.
Thank you!