We are Shelter City

A global movement for human rights defenders at risk

Learn more about us here
We are Shelter City

Shelter City is a global movement that offers safe and inspiring spaces to human rights defenders at risk where they can re-energize, receive tailormade support and engage with allies in order to reinforce their local actions for change.

Our impact

We envision a world where we can all safely contribute to just and peaceful societies.

23
Shelter Cities globally
100+
Partners around the world
700+
Human rights defenders

Our locations

We offer safe and inspiring spaces all over the world. Find our locations on the map.

Our Stories

Juvie, using documentation as a tool against injustice
Juvie, a human rights defender from the Philippines, shares her journey of over a decade in grassroot activism and documenting human rights violations against indigenous communities. Despite facing danger and emotional exhaustion, her work strives for accountability and justice. She continues to be passionate and believes that “one day [change] will happen, and more people will care about human rights”.
Shelter City Maastricht
Iván, reflecting on his journey as a human rights defender
Iván, former diplomat and Shelter City Amsterdam guest, shares his personal journey of becoming a human rights defender.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Iván, reflexionando sobre su trayectoria como defensor de los derechos humanos
Iván, antiguo diplomático y huésped de Shelter City Amsterdam, comparte su trayectoria personal como defensor de los derechos humanos.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Kiruba, fighting caste cruelties in India
Read Kiruba's story of challenging caste-based atrocities and discrimination in India.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Arsène, adding drops of justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Arsène shares his story as a human rights defender and lawyer in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Shelter City The Hague
Clasien, part of a global movement of human rights defenders
Clasien shares with us her experience coordinating Shelter City Tilburg and what it means to her to work with human rights defenders.
Shelter City Tilburg
Clasien, deel van een wereldwijde beweging van mensenrechten verdedigers
Clasien deelt met ons haar ervaring met het coördineren van Shelter City Tilburg en wat het voor haar betekent om met mensenrechtenverdedigers te werken.
Shelter City Tilburg
Olga, resilient in her journey for justice
During her three-month stay in The Hague, Olga penned a story to share her personal journey as a human rights defender in Venezuela.
Shelter City The Hague

Get involved

Join the
movement

Become a Shelter City

Set up a safe and inspiring space.

Volunteer

Support visiting human rights defenders.

Access
support

Get resources

All the tools you need, in one place.

Apply

Apply for a stay in a Shelter City.

Stand
side by side

Donate

Contribute to the cause of human rights defenders.

Learn

Get to know human rights defenders and their work.

Apply now

Apply to our call for applications

Find out more about how to apply to a Shelter City

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