The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) requests quotations from interested parties for an exploratory study into the development of a protection, support and solidarity framework for equality defenders.
The objectives of this exploratory research are as follows.
1. To investigate whether the current Human Rights Defenders (HRD) standards, policy and support system is sufficient for the delivery of IHREC’s Strategic Goal 4.2 regarding National Equality Bodies. Specifically, the study will explore whether the HRD system is sufficient of itself; whether it needs further development to explicitly reference equality defenders; and / or if an additional independent (but connected) framework is required.
2. To inform delivery the Commission’s Strategic Objective 4.1 Engage with NHRIs and NEBs across Europe and internationally to share learning, and to identify and promote best practice in our operations.
3. To inform delivery the Commission’s Strategic Objective 4.2 Support and demonstrate solidarity with NHRIs and NEBs who are at risk when democracy, peace and the rule of law are under threat.
4. To inform delivery of the Commission’s Strategic Objective 2.4 Work to support the conditions that enable a vibrant civil society that has the space, supports and resources to advocate and take action to protect and promote human rights and equality, and hold the State to account.
5. To inform delivery of the Commission’s Strategic Objective 3.8 Protect and promote human rights and equality protections with an island of Ireland dimension, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and through the operation of the Joint Committee.
If you are interested in making a submission in response to this RFQ, please forward an application before 12 noon on Tuesday 2nd of December 2025 by email to procurement@ihrec.ie with “RFQ Equality Defenders” in the subject line.
Requests for clarification can be submitted via email to procurement@ihrec.ie before 12 noon on Tuesday 25th November 2025.