Human rights defenders from around the world who are at risk can apply to participate in the international Shelter City initiative. Applications will be accepted until 10 August 2025, according to Justice & Peace Netherlands.
Shelter City offers temporary safe havens in the Netherlands where activists can recharge their batteries, receive professional support and expand their network of contacts. The programme covers a wide range of participants, from journalists and artists to lawyers, academics and civil society representatives who defend human rights through peaceful means.
Starting in March 2026, 14 cities in the Netherlands will host human rights defenders. For three months, participants will work on their own projects, undergo training and exchange experiences with colleagues. At the end of their stay, they will return home with new knowledge and tools for their work.
The programme also includes cooperation with the Asser Institute. One of the scholarship holders will conduct a three-month research project, the results of which will be presented at the end of the programme at a public or closed event.
Participants must meet certain requirements: demonstrate a non-violent approach to their work, be subject to persecution or threats, be prepared to return to their country after the programme, be proficient in English and have a valid passport. The organisers will cover the costs of processing the documents.
Applications can be submitted online until 10 August 2025. Participants will be selected by an independent commission.
Read also: The Ministry of Education and Science has simplified the rules for distance learning for children in occupied territories
