Posts Tagged ‘Marianne Initiative for human rights defenders’

Applications are now open for the 2027 Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders. Deadline 4 MAY!

May 2, 2026
marianne-initiative-2023

Application Deadline: May 4, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2027 Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders. Each year, a group of about fifteen human rights defenders, distinguished by their exemplary work in the fight for fundamental rights in their countries of origin, are welcomed to France. The laureates are selected from among several hundred candidates by a committee of independent experts.

The personalized program includes networking with key actors involved in the field of human rights (State, local authorities, non-governmental organizations, independent judicial and administrative authorities, representatives of international organizations), as well as support for the development of their activist project, aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of their action.

Benefits

  • The program offers a unique platform for international exposure and professional growth.
  • Participants gain access to a broad network of human rights professionals and European institutions, fostering connections that last long after the program ends.
  • The core benefit of the initiative lies in the specialized skill-building workshops provided during the stay in France.
  • This immersive experience aims to expand the operational capacity and strategic networks of frontline defenders.

Eligibility

  • To be eligible, candidates must demonstrate a proven and distinguished commitment to promoting fundamental rights within their local communities.
  • The initiative specifically looks for individuals who have already distinguished themselves through concrete actions on the ground.
  • Prospective applicants should be motivated to expand their professional skills and be willing to collaborate with international peers.
  • The program serves as a vital bridge between local grassroots activism and global human rights standards.

Benefits

The winners follow a comprehensive program consisting of:

  • Training courses to strengthen cross-cutting skills to implement their projects: negotiation, leadership, advocacy, project engineering, association management, etc.;
  • Training to improve working conditions in the country of origin: security, mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders, etc.;
  • Courses to consolidate their theoretical knowledge: transitional justice, international law, etc.;
  • Meetings and networking with individuals and partner organizations committed to human rights and development issues;
  • Conferences and cultural activities;
  • Individual interviews to support the activist project;
  • Visits to international institutions and organizations;
  • Exchanges with the Marianne Alumni network of the program, within the framework of the mentoring program between laureates of the different cohorts.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders

The 2027 Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders (Fully Funded to Paris, France)

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The 2026 Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders open for applications

June 26, 2025
marianne-initiative-2023
Opportunities For Africans

Applications are now open for the 2026 Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders. The Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders aims to better help Human Rights Defenders in their fight


As part of the organization of the 9th World Congress against the Death Penalty in Paris in the summer of 2026, particular attention will be paid to applications relating to this theme. However, the other areas of human rights covered by this call for applications remain fully eligible.

You are committed to the promotion and defence of human rights in your country:

  • You are a human rights defender in the sense recognised by the United Nations, adult and of non-French nationality, regardless of your placeof residence;
  • You can provide document(s)/evidence, produced by others (recommendations, press articles, etc.), attesting to your commitment/action in favour of human rights;
  • You can justify that participation in the Marianne Initiative’s French aid programme will strengthen your capacity for human rights action in your country and internationally, and that it will enable you to create or develop existing or planned links or projects with French organisations;
  • You possess a valid passport (with a validity of at least six months) or you are willing to follow the procedures to obtain one;
  • You are not subject to any legal ban on leaving your territory;
  • You are willing to travel to France from February to June 2026.

Benefits

  • The program in France provides individual accommodation near Paris, a monthly grant to meet daily needs, a training program, individualized support and networking with human rights players for a period of 4 months (from February to June 2026). The program does not provide support beyond the 4-month period.

Application Deadline:  6th July 2025. You can apply online to be part of the 2026 class of the Marianne initiative through the link below:

Application form – Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders – Class of 2026 (February-June)

Applications do not need to be sent to the Embassy, but should be submitted directly using the procedure indicated above. However, if you have any questions, you may send an email to: amelle.abdallahi@diplomatie.gouv.fr.

see also: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2024/06/04/the-marianne-initiative-for-human-rights-defenders/

Your application will include the documents listed in the application form. It will be in either French or English.

Visit the Official Webpage of the Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders

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The Marianne Initiative for human rights defenders

June 4, 2024

On 3 June, 2024 Ifeoma Chuks wrote about the Marianne Initiative 2025 for human rights defenders

©Sarah Steck/ Présidence de la République

In 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the launch of the Marianne Initiative for human rights defenders, aimed at better supporting them in their fight, both abroad and in France. The Marianne Association for Human Rights Defenders was created to federate the actors involved in our country (State, organisations and associations for the promotion of human rights and reception, local authorities, qualified personalities, etc.) and to carry the initiative’s support pillar in France, for the benefit of about fifteen laureates per year (reception, personalised support, networking, etc.).

After receiving the first all-female class in 2022 and a mixed class in 2023, the third class was officially launched now.

Some fifteen men and women from every continent have been welcomed to France for six months as part of the Initiative. The winners benefit from a training program designed to strengthen their skills and commitment in their home country or in France, whether in favour of civil and political rights, women’s rights, minority rights or environmental rights.

Recipients complete a comprehensive program consisting of:

  • Training in negotiation, leadership, advocacy, physical and digital security, project management, etc. ;
  • Courses from the School of International Affairs of Sciences Po Paris and French language;
  • Contact with French or international personalities involved in human rights and development issues;
  • Meetings with inspiring personalities and potential partner organizations (NGOs, foundations, institutions, etc.);
  • Conferences and cultural activities ;
  • Individual interviews to support the activist project;
  • Visits to international institutions and organizations;
  • Exchanges with members of the program’s alumni network.

The hosting programme in France provides for accommodation near Paris, the payment of a monthly grant to cover daily needs, a training programme, support, and networking with Human Rights Defenders for a period of 6 months. After the 6 months, participants no longer benefit from the grant, the accommodation and the support provided in the programme. Participation is individual and does not provide for the laureate to be accompanied by their family.

Class of 2025 runs from January-July 2025. The Application Deadline: 17th June 2024

Apply here

Visit Award Webpage for Details

https://www.afterschoolafrica.com/83981/marianne-initiative-2025-for-human-rights-defenders/

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