Opportunity Details
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Opportunity ID 292928
Opportunity Description
Are you a human rights defender facing immediate risks due to your critical work? Do you need urgent financial support, legal aid, or a temporary safe haven to protect yourself and your family? The ProtectDefenders.eu Mechanism is currently accepting requests for its Emergency Grants and Temporary Relocation Programme, offering immediate, practical assistance when it is needed most.
ProtectDefenders.eu operates as a consortium of international organizations dedicated to providing comprehensive support to human rights defenders worldwide. This centralized mechanism allocates emergency individual grants of up to €10,000 and organizational support grants of up to €15,000. These funds are explicitly designed to address physical security measures, emergency relocation, legal representation, and family support for those working in highly restrictive or dangerous environments.
If your human rights work has put you or your organization in jeopardy, read on to understand the eligibility requirements, the specific financial benefits available, and how you can submit a secure request for support.
Quick Overview
| Provider | ProtectDefenders.eu |
| Country / Location | Global / Various Host Countries |
| Program Type | Grant & Temporary Relocation |
| Funding | Up to €10,000 (Individuals) / €15,000 (Organizations) |
| Open To | At-risk Human Rights Defenders globally |
| Deadline | Rolling (Always Open) |
Important Dates
| Application Opens | Currently Open |
| Application Deadline | Rolling (Assessed upon receipt) |
Financial Benefits
If your request for support is accepted by ProtectDefenders.eu, the financial package mobilized will depend on your specific risk situation. Funding can cover:
- Individual Grants: Up to €10,000 maximum (average grant is €3,000) for emergency protection.
- Organizational Grants: Up to €15,000 for capacity building and security (partial funding may be considered for requests between €40,000 and €50,000).
- Security Measures: Funding for safe transportation and alarm systems.
- Legal & Medical: Coverage for lawyer fees and urgent medical costs.
- Relocation Support: Financial support for temporary relocation (up to 1 year) prioritizing rest, professional development, and psychological well-being.
- Family Support: Assistance extended to the immediate family of the at-risk defender.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for support through ProtectDefenders.eu, you must meet the following requirements:
Target Audience & Status
- You must be a human rights defender (HRD) or represent a human rights organization.
- You must be facing clear, documented risks directly resulting from your human rights work.
Purpose of Funds
Requested support must relate strictly to physical or psychological security, relocation, or legal/medical emergencies. General requests for university education, office supplies, or standard rent will not be covered.
Relocation Intent & Languages
For the Temporary Relocation Programme, applicants must intend to return to their home country or region if circumstances allow and plan to continue their human rights work post-relocation.
Requests can be submitted in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian.
Required Documents
When preparing your request, you will need to gather the following documents:
- Individual Support Form: (If applying for personal emergency grants or relocation).
- Organizational Support Form: (If applying for NGO capacity building and security).
- Risk Documentation: Provide context and evidence of the risks you are facing due to your human rights work.
How to Apply
If you require immediate assistance, follow these steps securely:
- Download the appropriate request form (Individual or Organizational form) from the official website.
- Provide a comprehensive and factual overview of your risk situation, answering all questions in the form clearly.
- Submit the completed form and any supporting documents through the ProtectDefenders.eu secured contact form.
- If you are facing an immediate emergency, you may contact their 24/7 helpline at +353 (0) 1 21 00 489.
For more information, please visit the
ProtectDefenders.eu official website.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request support for my family?
Yes. If you are at risk and your family is in need of support as a direct result of that risk, you can request support for them in your application.
Can I choose the protection measures I am applying for?
Yes. When sending a support request, you have the possibility to indicate the protection measure best suited to address your risk situation, as you are best placed to decide upon your own security.
Does this program support permanent relocation or asylum?
No. The Temporary Relocation Programme provides support for a temporary period (up to 1 year) and explicitly does not facilitate permanent relocation and/or asylum procedures.