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Call for Applications to Sister-to-Sister Program 2026

June 10, 2026
Nobel Women's Initiative - Home

On 8 June 2026 the Nobel Women’s Initiative (NWI) invited applications for the 2026 Sister-to-Sister Young Feminist Leadership Program. DEADLINE 26 June, 2026 

For over a decade, the Sister-to-Sister Young Feminist Leadership Program has been a cornerstone of NWI’s strategy to foster a world where feminist peace and security prevail. 

The Sister-to-Sister program brings together young feminist leaders — sisters — in an intensive virtual program which fosters crucial solidarity, support, sisterhood, and skills-building to better equip activists for the challenges ahead. This year’s program theme is:

“Peace in the Age of AI: Building Feminist Futures.” 

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how power and violence are exercised — from AI-driven disinformation, deepfakes and coordinated online harassment used to silence women in public life, to the rise of autonomous weapons systems transforming the future of conflict. The information ecosystem is a critical site of power, and it is deeply gendered. Women are both on its frontlines and leading efforts to reshape it. 

Women journalists, peacebuilders, content creators, communicators, and human rights defenders are increasingly targeted at the intersection of these threats, where narrative warfare online and AI-enabled security risks converge. These technologies are not neutral — they reflect and amplify existing inequalities and feminist leadership in shaping how they are governed has never been more urgent. 

Building on the work of NWI Nobel Laureates — particularly Maria Ressa, whose journalism and advocacy have been at the forefront of defending truth, accountability and democratic space in the digital age — the 2026 Sister-to-Sister cohort will move from analysis to action. 

We at NWI know first-hand that when young women are grounded in their histories, communities and lived realities, they rise with courage, clarity and fierce commitment to equality for all. Guided by the lived experiences of NWI’s Nobel laureates and inspired by Maria Ressa’s visionary leadership, this year’s program reflects our commitment to cultivating the next generation of feminist leaders equipped to navigate, challenge and reshape the digital world.  

Twenty five young, feminist activists will take part in a 6-week intensive virtual learning program from 24 August to 28 September 2026. The program is designed to: 

  • Broaden understanding of how artificial intelligence is reshaping power, conflict, peace — and the specific ways these technologies impact women and feminist movements. 
  • Build knowledge and critical analysis of AI-driven disinformation, digital security threats, autonomous weapons, and the gendered dimensions of emerging technology. 
  • Strengthen tools and strategies for navigating the digital information ecosystem, including digital safety, counter-disinformation tactics and adaptive feminist leadership. 
  • Explore how AI can be leveraged to advance feminist peacebuilding — from amplifying women-led movements, to strengthening early warning systems and expanding access to justice. 
  • Enhance collective learning and peer exchange by deepening mutual trust, sisterhood, and solidarity among young women activists confronting intersecting challenges. 
  • Deepen feminist networks for support and collective action and through this network build resilience and long-term capacity for change.  

To ensure selected Sisters are able to fully participate, an honorarium will be provided to selected participants at the end of the program. This honorarium is intended to contribute to internet access, work space, transportation, care responsibilities and other potential barriers to participation. 

To be considered, candidate applications are due before 11:59pm ET, on 26 June, 2026. Applications should include: 

  • A personal letter or video (max 2 minutes or 1 page) outlining how the candidate has been contributing to feminist peace, digital rights, social and/or environmental justice; the primary challenges in their context (contextually / personally / professionally); and how they hope the program will benefit them and their work. 
  • Current resume, with up to date, detailed experience (paid, volunteer, academic). 
  • Reference letter from a feminist peace, social or digital rights activist or organization, with contact details for follow up. 

The full application form is available here.

https://www.nobelwomensinitiative.org/sister-to-sister-applications-2026

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New ISHR online course for environmental human rights defenders

June 3, 2026

ISHR introduces a new on-line course on advocacy for environmental human rights defenders, a practical, self-paced resource for activists, community leaders, and allies to defend the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment using UN and regional mechanisms.

On World Environment Day, and in parallel to the 1st European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders, ISHR is introducing its new online course entitled ‘Advocacy for environmental human rights defenders: a pathway’. A conceptual, legal, and strategic resource to help environmental human rights defenders and their allies translate local environmental struggles into coordinated international and regional advocacy. [https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2026/05/12/first-european-forum-on-environmental-human-rights-defenders-3-4-june-2026/]

Environmental human rights defenders are those who protect our planet and defend the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. They are Indigenous Peoples, farmers, scientists, journalists and young activists from all over the world.

Despite their vital role, more than 2,253 of them were killed, harassed, or persecuted between 2012 and 2024 according to Global Witness. More recently, the Business and Human Rights Centre found that the most dangerous sectors in which to pursue activism to defend rights are mining, agribusiness and fossil fuels.

Behind those numbers are stories of resistance and solidarity.

Why a new course for environmental human rights defenders?

The past few years saw an increased number of positive developments for the protection of the environment and environmental human rights defenders.

This includes the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, the Human Rights Council’s Resolution 40/11 recognising the role of environmental defenders, the Escazú Agreement enshrining the latter’s rights in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the creation of the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention. All these developments also require defenders to understand how and when to use these mechanisms. 

I became an environmental human rights defender by coincidence. I need practical tools like this to help me navigate spaces for my advocacy. The ISHR Academy is really a useful one! Christopher Opio, Uganda 

The pathway is divided into three independent chapters

Module content on the ISHR Academy

Chapter 1 examines the legal and conceptual foundations of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, the role of environmental human rights defenders in addressing the triple planetary crisis, including accountability of States and non-State actors.

Chapter 2 provides strategic and practical guidance to advance environmental justice through UN human rights mechanisms like the Human Rights Council, the Special Procedures, the Treaty Bodies or the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and translate local defence into international advocacy.

Chapter 3 dives into regional mechanisms and other tools, in particular, for the protection of environmental human rights defenders. This includes rapid response mechanisms in Europe and Latin America, and other options designed for African and Asia-Pacific defenders through regional institutions and tools. 

Free, self-paced, modular and flexible, each chapter can be taken independently, enriched with case studies, videos, and additional resources. You set the pace according to your needs.

How do I know if this is for me? 

You know that bringing international attention could create pressure for change, but you don’t know where to start? You have an idea of who the Special Rapporteur on climate change is, the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights does, but don’t know the steps to engage with them?

The pathway walks you through exactly this.

Whether you are a community leader facing displacement, an environmental lawyer seeking international leverage, a representative of a grassroots organisation whose government has stopped listening, a young advocate learning to navigate international spaces, or an NGO supporting defenders on the frontline — this pathway was built for you.

Environmental human rights defenders are often the first to raise the alarm. I often meet people who face pressure or harassment for defending environmental rights and without knowing that international tools can support them. In this module, I will explain what my mandate can do and how defenders can engage with it.

Astrid Puentes Riaño, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to a healthy environment

By the end of this pathway, you will be able to:

  • Understand who environmental human rights defenders are, the contexts they operate in, and the legal frameworks for their protection
  • Identify international and regional advocacy avenues, within the UN and beyond, to advance the right to a clean, healthy environment
  • Plan strategic engagement with mechanisms based on your context, and hold governments and non-State actors accountable.

Start learning now at the ISHR Academy!

ISHR warmly thanks all the human rights defenders, experts, Special Rapporteurs and UN staff who supported us in building this course.

https://ishr.ch/latest-updates/new-online-course-for-environmental-human-rights-defenders-on-the-ishr-academy

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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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Call for applications for the 2026 Global South Fellowship programme

January 8, 2026

This opportunity allows human rights defenders to develop their projects and take part in an academic and cultural exchange in a safe space. Apply before January 21. Are you a human rights defender from a country in the Global South who must carry out your work in an emergency or high-risk context? Our fellowship program could offer you a calm and safe space to work; provide you with the opportunity to build bonds of solidarity and companionship; and exchange knowledge with our researchers on tools and strategies for action-oriented research.

We have six thematic lines and areas at Dejusticia to which you can apply.

If you believe your profile and needs are a good fit with our fellowship program, please check our terms and apply before January 21, 2026 (11:59 P.M., UTC-05:00).

We are looking for people with different profiles:

  1. Those who come from an emergency or high-risk context. An emergency or high-risk context may include any of the following:
    • The country/city where the fellow works is experiencing armed conflict, civil unrest, or is under an authoritarian government with an imminent threat to the individual security of the candidate.
    • The fellow and/or their organization has been the target of threats, intimidation, or populist propaganda that poses a risk to their human rights defense work or to their family’s safety.
    • The fellow or their organization has been excluded from funding due to government or private sector influence, or has been subjected to pressure aimed at obstructing the work of the individual/organization.
  2. Those who are at risk of burnout and are seeking a quiet place to continue working on human rights issues, but in a different context.
  3. Those who belong to human rights organizations in the Global South and wish to engage in exchanges and joint research or advocacy work with Dejusticia.
  4. Those who intend to build long-term relationships with other fellows and with Dejusticia. This ensures that our fellowships function as accelerating nodes for connections that will make the human rights movement more coordinated and generate greater impact.

What will fellows receive from Dejusticia?

Dejusticia will cover travel expenses (visa, airfare) and provide a monthly stipend based on the fellow’s profile and experience. While Dejusticia will provide initial support at the beginning of the process—including, during the first two weeks of work, a training space on amphibious research and on Dejusticia’s work—it is important to note that selected fellows will be responsible for managing their stipend to cover their housing, transportation, and food needs.

What will be the commitments of fellows from the Global South?

The fellow will allocate their time at Dejusticia as follows:

  • 65% to develop and implement work associated with a broader project of the host area/line.
  • 25% to continue supporting the work of their home organization remotely.
  • 10% to develop at least one blog post reflecting on their experience or work, to be published on Dejusticia’s Global Blog.

How to apply to the fellowship program

The call will be open until January 21, 2026

Dejusticia will cover travel expenses (visa, airfare) and provide a monthly stipend based on the fellow’s profile and experience. While Dejusticia will provide initial support at the beginning of the process, it is important to note that selected fellows will be responsible for managing their stipend to cover housing, transportation, and food needs. The program also includes one week of in-person training at Dejusticia on action-oriented research tools, writing, among others, as well as an organizational induction.

DOWNLOAD ALL THE INFORMATION TO APPLY HERE
FIND THE APPLICATION FORM HERE

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Apply for ISHR’s 2026 training for defenders

January 7, 2026

Are you a human rights defender working on democratic backsliding and/or racial justice, keen to use the UN to push for change at home? If so, apply for the 2026 edition of ISHR’s flagship training, the Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP)!

After a successful edition in 2025, ISHR is pleased to launch the new call for applications for the 2026 Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP26), which will take place both remotely and in Geneva and will be focused on thematic and context area! Below are some important dates to consider before applying:

  • Mandatory distance learning course: 13 April – 8 June 2026 (part time)
  • In-person course in Geneva: 10- 20 June 2026 (full time)
  • Deadline to apply: 15 January 2026, midnight CET (Geneva Time)
  • Programme description with all related information can be downloaded here.
  • Application form can be found here.

What’s new for HRDAP 2026?

For the last 10 years, this flagship training has equipped human rights defenders with the knowledge and skills to integrate the UN human rights system into their existing work at the national level in a strategic manner. 

Following an external review of the programme in 2024, as well as to maximise impact and enhance follow-up, for 2026 the HRDAP selection criteria are evolving: they are based on 2 themes focused on context area and thematic advocacy, according to ISHR’ strategic priorities and opportunities at the UN: democratic backsliding and racial justice. The HRDAP themes will change annually (see the criteria below and the programme description for more details).[see: https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2024/11/27/ishrs-training-for-human-rights-defenders-2025/]

12 participants will be selected for the 2026 edition of HRDAP.

What are HRDAP objectives?

By participating in the programme, defenders will:

  1. gain knowledge and tools, which they can use to ensure their voice is central in international human rights decision-making
  2. explore and compare the benefits of engagement with the Human Rights Council, the Special Procedures, the OHCHR, the Universal Periodic Review and the Treaty Bodies, and examine how they can use them to bolster their work at the national level
  3. develop networks, strategies and advocacy techniques to increase the potential of their national and regional advocacy work.

How is HRDAP organised?

HRDAP topics

Defenders will complete a 10-week hybrid learning programme through a participatory approach, which will include:

  • accessing the HRDAP Platform, where they can complete e-learning courses on each key UN human rights mechanism and on advocacy strategies, and access interactive learning materials and case studies on the ISHR Academy
  • taking part in live Q&A sessions with human rights experts
  • receiving continuous advocacy support and personalised coaching in order to develop concrete advocacy objectives to make strategic use of the international human rights system
  • building networks around the world, and learning from peers from a range of regions working on a range of human rights issues
  • applying their knowledge to case-studies scenarios and enhancing their advocacy toolbox according to their specific needs
  • receiving support and advocacy accompaniment to conduct activities during the 62nd and 63rd Human Rights Council sessions and other relevant opportunities.

Participants will have the unique opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills while being in Geneva as well as to meet and share with their peers and experts. The blended format of the course allows defenders to continue their vital work on the ground, while diving into the inner workings of each key UN human rights mechanism and gaining first-hand experience from advocates and UN staff on how civil society can strategically engage in the international human rights space.  

What are the criteria and themes for selection?

This programme is directed at experienced human rights defenders working in non-governmental organisations, with existing advocacy experience at the national level and some prior knowledge of the international human rights system. In 2026, we will select human rights defenders working on democratic backsliding and racial justice.

Defenders working in contexts of democratic backsliding 

This theme is for human rights defenders working in democratic countries where authoritarian practices are gaining ground. 

We particularly welcome applications from defenders who are: 

  • pushing back against repressive laws, attacks on free expression, or restrictions on the freedom of peaceful assembly and association 
  • documenting abuses linked to police and military violence, arbitrary arrests, surveillance, or harassment 
  • fighting for justice, transparency, and the rule of law, and refusing to let democratic institutions be dismantled without accountability. 

Defenders working on racial justice 

This thematic is for defenders working to dismantle systemic racism and build societies rooted in equality and dignity. We will select applications from defenders focusing on anti-racism, exclusion and police violence, including anti-Black racism as experienced through legacies of colonialism and the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans, Indigenous (including Afro-Indigenous) communities working on historical injustice and reparations, as well as defenders of migrants and asylum seekers. We also welcome applications from mothers working for accountability for their children, victims of police violence. 

Please read the programme description for more information on the criteria.

https://ishr.ch/latest-updates/hrdap-2026-apply-for-ishrs-training-for-defenders-working-on-democratic-backsliding-and-racial-justice

https://ishr.ch/latest-updates/hrdap-2026-apply-for-ishrs-training-for-defenders-working-on-democratic-backsliding-and-racial-justice

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Call for applications for Columbia University’s Human Rights Advocates Program 2026–2027

September 19, 2025

Columbia University has officially opened the application process for the 2026–2027 Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP), a globally recognized initiative that supports human rights defenders from around the world.

The program provides a unique opportunity for experienced human rights advocates to enhance their knowledge, strengthen their networks, and build critical skills through academic and professional development in New York City.

A Legacy of Supporting Human Rights Defenders

Established in 1989, the Human Rights Advocates Program has a long-standing history of empowering frontline activists. Over the years, HRAP has become a vital platform for practitioners working in some of the most challenging and marginalized communities worldwide.

By leveraging the vast academic and institutional resources available at Columbia University and within New York City—home to a dense network of international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—HRAP provides advocates with a transformative experience that amplifies their voices and accelerates the impact of their work.

Program Structure and Opportunities

Participants in HRAP engage in a comprehensive program that combines academic study, skill-building workshops, mentoring, and networking. The curriculum is designed to be both rigorous and practical, offering a space for reflection and growth.

Advocates attend seminars specifically tailored to the challenges and strategies of the human rights field. They also have the opportunity to enroll in courses across Columbia University’s schools and departments, further enriching their understanding of legal, political, social, and economic issues related to their advocacy work.

One of the key features of the program is the series of workshops led by staff from leading human rights organizations. These sessions cover topics such as advocacy strategies, digital security, media engagement, organizational development, and fundraising. Participants also attend meetings with policymakers, funders, academics, and fellow advocates, fostering long-term professional relationships and collaborative opportunities. Mentoring is another cornerstone of the program, offering one-on-one guidance from experienced professionals who help participants refine their goals and campaign strategies.

Since its inception, more than 350 human rights advocates from over 100 countries have completed the program.

Application Process and Deadline

Applicants interested in joining the 2026–2027 cohort are encouraged to visit the official HRAP Admissions page for detailed information on eligibility criteria, application requirements, and program expectations.

The selection process is competitive and seeks individuals with a strong track record of human rights advocacy, demonstrated leadership potential, and a clear vision for how participation in HRAP will advance their work.

The deadline to apply is Monday, December 1, 2025. Late applications will not be considered, so prospective participants are advised to begin the process early to ensure all required materials are submitted on time.

Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) 2026–2027: Applications Now Open

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UN Youth Rights Academy 2025

July 31, 2025
United Nations logo

Participants of the Youth Rights Academy.

© Credit – OHCHR

“Knowing our rights empowers us to act. Change is not as far away as it often seems. Every one of us can drive change from where we are,” said Avril Murillo, a young digital feminist activist from Bolivia.

“No one understands the urgency of change like young people do, especially those who’ve grown up watching their futures shrink under injustice,” added Yara Al-Zinati, a youth advocate from Gaza. “That’s why youth must stand up for their rights, to lead and shape a future where communities can thrive.”

For Kenneth Mulinde, from Uganda, young people have a responsibility to advocate for accountability and human dignity for all.

And for Constance Luk, a mental health advocate from Malaysia, connecting youth has the power to build a world free of discrimination and where communities support and care for each other.

Murillo, Al-Zinati, Mulinde and Luk were among a group of 45 young human rights advocates from around the world who participated in a Youth Rights Academy in Geneva on 7-11 July.

The Youth Rights Academy is the result of a partnership between UN Human Rights and and Qatar’s global foundation, Education Above All (EAA), aimed at empowering and mobilizing young people, particularly those living in situations of conflict and insecurity, to stand up for their human rights.

The partnership, implemented since 2022, has previously resulted in the development of the Youth Advocacy Toolkit, which was launched in September 2023 as “YES: Youth Empowerment System”, and laid the foundation for the Youth Rights Academy.

Since its beginning, the project has been guided by a Youth Advisory Board (YAB), a group of young human rights advocates from diverse countries and regions who offer feedback on the project’s overall direction and focus. Members of the second cohort of the YAB attended the Youth Rights Academy as participants, and also helped to design and facilitate some of its sessions.

The Academy brought together experts, including UN bodies and mandate-holders, and civil society organizations to equip young rights advocates with the knowledge and tools to defend and promote human rights in their communities.

The program included workshops on international human rights law and international humanitarian law, the right to education, the climate crisis, political participation, social media advocacy, and the protection of human rights defenders, among other topics.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2025/07/youth-rights-academy-learning-skills-lead-change-0

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16 defenders talk about ISHR’s Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme

July 24, 2025

Sixteen activists completed the 2025 Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme in Geneva to strengthen their advocacy skills. During the programme, they called for reforms to the UN human rights system, and helped secure the renewal of the expert mandate on sexual orientation and gender identity.

After two months of intensive online training, sixteen dedicated human rights defenders from across the globe came together to Geneva for the on-site part of ISHR’s 2025 Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP25). Through learning, dialogue, and direct engagement with UN mechanisms, they strengthened their advocacy skills and built lasting connections with peers, UN experts, diplomats, and civil society allies. [see https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2024/11/27/ishrs-training-for-human-rights-defenders-2025/]

Held from 9 to 20 June 2025, the on-site part of HRDAP25 took place during the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The programme blended online learning with face-to-face sessions in Geneva. Defenders explored UN human rights mechanisms such as the Human Rights Council, Special Procedures, Universal Periodic Review, and Treaty Bodies. They practiced advocacy techniques, developed strategic roadmaps, and engaged directly with mechanisms to push for real change at home.

It was intensive but very good. The platform is so user friendly, everyone can learn and take time to revisit, consult, see examples, and ask questions. The possibility to have online sessions and work in groups was very useful for me. Elena Petrovska, LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey, North Macedonia

Participants came from a wide range of regions and contexts, including Colombia, Guatemala, Nigeria, Indonesia, Tunisia, Lebanon, Nepal, India, Uganda, Cameroon, Syria, North Macedonia, Tibet and Sierra Leone. Their work focuses on LGBTIQ+ rights, environmental justice, transitional justice, gender equality, protection of migrants, business and human rights, and the protection of communities at risk.

Each day was filled with learning opportunities, advocacy and reflection. In April and May, the group enjoyed online training and coaching sessions which were then built upon with a packed in-person programme that gave participants the background preparation needed to engage with the various mechanisms and relevant stakeholders while in Geneva. They applied and practiced the knowledge and skills gained in a few different ways, which included: an NGO breakfast with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, where participants could ask very detailed and pertinent questions about the current situation; a brown bag lunch with experts from the Committee on Civil and Political Rights, where the group received first person tips on how to submit information and engage with Treaty Bodies; and meetings with UN Special Procedures (Business and human rights, Climate Change, Enforced Disappearances, Extreme Poverty) and their staff, were participants could start personal relationships with those experts and share their advocacy journey and plans. 

Photo: ISHR

Defenders also participated in a powerful public side event about the reform of the UN human rights system. They shared lived experiences and challenges with over 30 States, calling for deeper access, stronger accountability, and genuine inclusion in the ongoing UN80 reform process. Laura Restrepo from Colombia reflected: ‘The UN must look inward and acknowledge its own colonial legacies — in who speaks, who decides, and whose knowledge counts. It must shift power toward grassroots and frontline communities.’

Throughout the programme, defenders stood up for key causes. Several participants joined the global campaign to #RenewIESOGI, advocating for the continuation of the UN mandate on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Their voices contributed to a successful outcome: the Human Rights Council renewed the mandate for three more years, reaffirming its importance as a tool to combat discrimination and protect LGBTIQ+ communities. 

Photo: ISHR

The sense of care and community ran deep. HRDAP helped participants’ work grounded in the values of solidarity and justice, and built their confidence to keep advocating at all levels. HRDAP25 not only provided skills and relevant exposure but also created a space for collaboration and resilience. Speaking during the public side event on UN reform, Pooja Patel, ISHR’s Deputy Executive Director, reminded States: ‘Human rights defenders are not only on the front lines of crises, they are on the front lines of solutions.’

https://ishr.ch/latest-updates/16-defenders-participated-in-ishrs-flagship-training-to-advocate-influence-and-build-power-at-the-un

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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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Amnesty International Australia starts on-line course for Human Rights Defenders skills

June 4, 2025

👋 New to Activism? You’re in the Right Place. 

You don’t need experience to make a difference. You just need the belief that things can be better – and the courage to take that first step. At Amnesty, we’ll support you to get involved in a way that works for you. Whether you’ve got five minutes or a few hours a month, there’s a place for you in our movement. 

….

🌈 Ready to Take Action? Sign up Today. 

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