The NHRF supports organisations and communities working for the protection of human rights defenders at risk, both in our prioritized countries as well as through support of some projects that are assessed independently from the NHRF's geographical priorities.

Human rights defenders have always been integral to the NHRF vision. Since the NHRF’s foundation in 1988, our goal has been to act in solidarity as a flexible and risk-willing contributor to human rights defenders working in the frontline of defence for human rights. Our early support has evolved into a focus on the working conditions for supported human rights organisations and defenders by working closer with organisations specialising in protection mechanisms and prevention of risk; creating guidelines on protection and providing capacity building and additional funds, so grantees can address their security issues while undertaking their work.

The NHRF’s work to support the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs) in two ways:

• Through project support to grantees in prioritised countries. Protection of HRD and the right to defend rights is one of our thematic priorities in our call for proposals, and we support projects that include components of strengthening self-protection mechanisms, advocacy for protection nationally and internationally, psychosocial external support or community based approaches to psychosocial work and wellbeing for (W)HRDs, information security, creating support networks, legal support to HRDs at risk and more.
• Grant support for organisations working for the protection of HRD independent from our geographical priorities. HRD grants can be given to organisations, institutions, networks, and groups working for the protection of human rights defenders regardless of the country of origin.
  

The NHRF does not support individual HRDs, but focuses on organisations, institutions, networks and groups working for the protection of HRDs. To read more about the NHRF conditions for support and priorities, please read our FAQ for Grantseekers.

Our grantee partners work as both (W)HRDs and to support (W)HRDs who promote and defend the rights of many different marginalized and vulnerable groups. Our support has reached (W)HRDs in many different parts of the world who dedicate their lives to defend the rights of and to, among others, LGBTQ+, minorities, land and natural resources, indigenous peoples, journalists, workers, migrants, commercial sex workers, political activists, women and girls, etc.

Although there are many different methods to achieve positive and progressive results in this area, the projects we support often use methods that focus on enhancing the protection of HRDs and preventing further risk, as well as strengthening their organizational structures. Networking and advocacy are also important tools that can make significant differences in the outcomes of projects. Our work also includes psychosocial support to defenders.

We have learned that the NHRF can provide valuable support through solidarity and by helping to connect HRDs and the organisations we support to national and international networks. The NHRF strives to provide this meaningful support and work outside the parameters of the standard donor-grantee relationship.

In some prioritized countries we work with strategic partners that support grantees in strengthening further their protection and self-protection mechanisms, as well as to offer psychosocial and legal support.