Purpose of the Program
The sole and clear purpose of the OPCAT Special Fund is to finance the implementation of the recommendations published by the SPT following its visit to a country. Projects to be supported must include components such as training, legal reform, or capacity building aimed at putting these recommendations into practice.
Who can apply?
The fund is open to applications from the following institutions and organizations:
- Civil Society Organizations
- National Preventive Mechanisms (TİHEK for Turkey)
- National Human Rights Institutions
- State institutions
Supported Activities
Within the scope of the OPCAT Special Fund, the following types of activities are particularly supported:
- Strengthening the institutional and technical capacity of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM),
- Training for health personnel, law enforcement officers, and judicial staff aimed at preventing torture,
- Legal reform efforts to improve conditions in detention centers and prisons,
- Meetings and seminars to publish, disseminate, and discuss SPT reports with the public.
Grant Amount
- Maximum grant per project: 40,000 USD
- In practice, grants are typically awarded in the range of 20,000 – 30,000 USD.
Application Process
Applications should be submitted via email to [email protected] along with the project form and budget table prepared in English, French, or Spanish.
Application deadline: 1 March 2026
(Although this date remains fixed each year, it is recommended to confirm in the guidelines before applying.)
For more detailed information and access to application documents, the official page of the OHCHR can be visited.