Entries open for the 2025 Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders

June 4, 2024 oppor4u 0 Comments

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2025 Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders. In 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron introduced the Marianne Initiative to provide enhanced support to human rights defenders, both domestically and internationally.

The Marianne Association for Human Rights Defenders was established to unite various stakeholders in our nation (government, human rights organizations, local authorities, notable individuals, etc.) and to oversee the initiative’s support activities within France. This includes assisting approximately fifteen laureates each year with reception, personalized support, networking, and more.

Every year, a cohort of around fifteen human rights defenders who have shown exceptional dedication to promoting fundamental rights in their home countries are invited to France. The laureates are chosen from a pool of hundreds of applicants by a panel of impartial experts.

Program Details: Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders

The individuals who are housed and receive a grant participate in a 6-month program that provides support and training. This program includes both individual and collective activities, which allow them to share their experiences, enhance their skills, raise awareness about their struggles, and develop new projects.
The recipients of the program go through a comprehensive curriculum that covers various areas. They receive training in negotiation, leadership, advocacy, physical and digital security, and project management, among others. Additionally, they attend courses offered by the School of International Affairs at Sciences Po Paris and learn the French language.
Furthermore, they have the opportunity to interact with French or international personalities who are actively involved in human rights and development issues. They also get to meet inspiring individuals and explore potential partnerships with organizations such as NGOs, foundations, and institutions.
The program also includes conferences and cultural activities to broaden their knowledge and perspectives. Individual interviews are conducted to provide support for their activist projects. Moreover, they have the chance to visit international institutions and organizations, as well as engage in exchanges with members of the program’s alumni network.