Groningen

The city of Groningen is a small but lively city in the north of the Netherlands. The creation of Shelter City Groningen began as an initiative by local political parties Student & Stad and D66 in 2015, who both believe in human rights and tolerance. Today, Shelter City Groningen is a collaboration of a broad spectrum of organizations and people, including the municipality of Groningen, University College Groningen, and others.

Our support

Rest and re-energize

Groningen provides human rights defenders at risk with a welcoming and safe environment where they can take time for themselves, rest and re-energise. Here, they can pay attention to their wellbeing, enjoy the city’s lively environment, 

Tailored support and capacity-building

In Shelter City Groningen, our guests are behind the steering wheel of their stay. We offer them tailored and flexible support to meet their needs and wishes, from physical and physiological care, to courses at the local universities, and recreational activities. Our team of energetic students ensures the guests have a fruitful stay tailored to their needs. 

Engage with local allies

We believe Shelter City is a two-way street. On the one side, human rights defenders can spread awareness about the situation in their country with audiences here in the Netherlands, and on the other side, students and local citizens can learn more about human rights situations around the world and support the work of human rights defenders.

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

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