The Emergency Assistance Program (EAP), coordinated by Freedom House, provides short-term emergency financial support to at-risk human rights defenders, civil society organisations and survivors of severe religious persecution. The program covers human rights defenders of all kinds, including activists, journalists, student organisers, LGBTQI+ groups, labour unions and community leaders. Civil society organisations do not need to be formally registered but must show a track record of activism.
Who they support #
EAP supports a broad global community of at-risk actors, including:
- Human rights defenders of all thematic areas
- Civil society organisations, networks, student groups, social movements, informal collectives and unregistered organisations
- Survivors of religious persecution based on belief, non-belief or religious identity
- Youth activists, SRHR advocates, artivists, climate defenders, disability rights activists, Indigenous and land rights defenders
- Journalists, bloggers and media workers
- LGBTQI+ defenders, women human rights defenders, migrant and refugee rights defenders, minority groups, sex workers and persecuted activists
Geographical focus: Global.
What support is available #
Financial support may include:
- Emergency medical care and psychosocial treatment
- Legal fees, litigation costs, appeal expenses, fines and trial monitoring
- Payments for legal representation in criminal, civil and non-judicial matters
- Secure transportation, evacuation and safe premises
- Relocation, rest and respite
- Secure equipment, security upgrades and expert recruitment
- Wellbeing support
Non-financial support includes tailored trainings.
Additional long-term or non-rapid support may include:
- Rapid response advocacy grants for civil society organisations
- Advocacy and opportunity grants to protect civic freedoms or advance LGBTQI+ rights
- Resiliency and security grants for holistic digital or physical protection
How to apply #
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Support can be requested through:
- Freedom House program page: https://freedomhouse.org/programs/emergency-assistance-and-thematic-programs
- Civil Society Lifeline: https://www.csolifeline.org
- Dignity for LGBTI Program: https://www.dignitylgbti.org
- Email: (regional contact options available)
- Referrals from trusted partners
Response time #
- Individuals: usually 1-3 weeks
- Civil society organisations: usually 1-2 weeks
Where to learn more #
Freedom House: https://freedomhouse.org/programs/emergency-assistance-and-thematic-programs
Civil Society Lifeline: https://www.csolifeline.org
Dignity for LGBTI: https://www.dignitylgbti.org
Email:
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