ProtectDefenders.eu, the EU Human Rights Defenders mechanism, has released the Updated Financial Analysis: The Landscape of Public International Funding for Human Rights Defenders (2021–2023), building on its previous study covering 2017–2020. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of public donor funding for human rights defenders (HRDs), highlighting trends, gaps, and projections for future support.
Between 2021 and 2023, public donors contributed a total of USD 612 million to HRDs, marking a nominal increase compared to the previous period. However, funding as a share of total Official Development Assistance (ODA) fell to just 0.10%, showing that support for HRDs remains marginal despite rising global needs. If current trends continue, public funding for HRDs would only reach USD 500 million annually by 2040, far below the level required to adequately protect defenders and the communities they serve.
The report shows that international NGOs continue to receive the majority of support, accounting for 79–84% of funding, while local NGOs receive 16–21%, with roughly half of all funding eventually reaching local actors. Global or unspecified grants dominate, limiting the ability to target critical regions and local groups effectively. Regional disparities are evident, with support for the MENA region declining steadily since 2017 and for Asia since 2019, despite increasing risks for HRDs in these areas.
Thematic analysis indicates that 56% of ODA was not linked to specific issues, while the remainder prioritized women’s rights, freedom of expression and association, environmental, land and indigenous rights, and LGBTIQ+ rights. Investment in HRD protection has grown significantly, making up one-third of funding, including 30% dedicated to temporary relocation programs. Other growing areas include organizational strengthening and promoting improved state protection, while support for victims of human rights violations remains the least funded.
The report underscores the urgency of adequate funding as threats against HRDs intensify, threatening their ability to protect victims, advocate, organize, and advance human rights. Political commitments must be matched with sufficient resources to safeguard defenders and strengthen long-term stability. ProtectDefenders.eu calls on policymakers, donors, international and local NGOs, and all stakeholders to use the report’s insights to guide strategic, sustainable support for human rights defenders worldwide.
