Deadline: July 6, 2025
Applications are open for the Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders 2026. The Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders aims to better help Human Rights Defenders in their fight. The program in France provides individual accommodation near Paris, a monthly grant to meet daily needs, a training program, individualized support and networking with human rights players for a period of 4 months (from February to June 2026). The program does not provide support beyond the 4-month period.
As part of the organization of the 9th World Congress against the Death Penalty in Paris in the summer of 2026, particular attention will be paid to applications relating to this theme. However, the other areas of human rights covered by this call for applications remain fully eligible.
Eligibility
- You are a human rights defender in the sense recognised by the United Nations, adult and of non-French nationality, regardless of your place of residence;
- You can provide document(s)/evidence, produced by others (recommendations, press articles, etc.), attesting to your commitment/action in favour of human rights;
- You can justify that participation in the Marianne Initiative’s French aid programme will strengthen your capacity for human rights action in your country and internationally, and that it will enable you to create or develop existing or planned links or projects with French organisations;
- You possess a valid passport (with a validity of at least six months) or you are willing to follow the procedures to obtain one;
- You are not subject to any legal ban on leaving your territory;
- You are willing to travel to France from February to June 2026.
Application
Application requires the following documents:
- Language diplomas or certifications (optional)
- If you have documents proving your activities, attach them (optional)
- Detailed resumé/CV
- Copy of the first two pages of the passport or, failing that, another identity document.
- Documents attesting of your fight for human rights (articles, website, reports, certificates from a natural or legal person, awards or nominations for exemplary activism, etc.).
- Copy of your professional card, if applicable (lawyer’s card, journalist’s card, etc.) (optional)
For more information, visit Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders.
