ProtectDefenders.eu

What ProtectDefenders.eu does

ProtectDefenders.eu is the European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism, established in 2015 and operated as an international non-profit foundation (Fondation Internationale pour les défenseurs des droits de l'homme) legally registered in Belgium with its Secretariat hosted by FIDH in Saint-Gilles, Brussels. The mechanism is implemented by a consortium of 12 international NGOs and provides direct protection services to at-risk human rights defenders worldwide, including a 24/7 helpdesk, emergency grants, temporary relocation programs, organizational strengthening support, shelter initiatives, and field monitoring and advocacy. Since inception, it has supported more than 55,000 defenders and civil society organizations across thematic areas including women human rights defenders, LGBTQI+ defenders, and environmental, land, and indigenous rights defenders.

The mechanism operates without a technology product layer; its core deliverables are human-coordinated protection services delivered through multilingual digital channels (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic) and a network of consortium partners with regional or thematic specialization. Supporting infrastructure includes the European Union Temporary Relocation Platform (EUTRP) for coordination of host entities, the Index of Alerts database tracking attacks against defenders (5,518 recorded in 2024), the Visa for Defenders advocacy initiative, and published guidance notes on navigating EU visa frameworks.

ProtectDefenders.eu is funded 95% by the European Union through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), with the remaining 5% sourced from other donors including Open Society Foundations and Heinrich Böll Stiftung. Services are provided free of charge to eligible beneficiaries, with EU citizens and EU-registered organizations explicitly excluded from individual and organizational support programs. The organization employs 16 people at its Secretariat and operates a global mandate subject to EU institutional budget cycles.

Name

ProtectDefenders.eu

Legal name

Fondation Internationale pour les défenseurs des droits de l'homme

Website

https://protectdefenders.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ProtectDefenders.eu is the EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism, operating since 2015 as a 12-NGO consortium providing 24/7 emergency grants, temporary relocation, organizational support, and advocacy to more than 55,000 at-risk defenders worldwide, funded primarily by the EU's EIDHR.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-Gilles, Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. EU Institutional Funding: The organization receives 95% of its funding from the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), with the remaining 5% coming from other sources. This is institutional grant funding from the European Union, not commercial revenue generation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ProtectDefenders.eu is the EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism that delivers 24/7 protection services to at-risk human rights defenders worldwide, including a helpdesk, emergency grants, temporary relocation, organisational support, shelter initiatives, and field monitoring/advocacy. It is implemented by a consortium of 12 international NGOs under a Belgium-registered foundation (FIDDH) and is primarily financed by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).

Product overview

ProtectDefenders.eu is the European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism, implemented by a consortium of 12 international NGOs. It is not a technology product but a protection mechanism offering multiple interconnected services: a 24/7 Helpdesk with Emergency Grants for urgent protection needs; a Temporary Relocation Programme coordinated through the European Union Temporary Relocation Platform (EUTRP) and Shelter Initiatives; Organisational Support for human rights groups; an Index of Alerts tracking attacks against defenders; Field Monitoring and Advocacy; Digital Security Support; and Alternative Funding resources. The Visa for Defenders Initiative provides advocacy and guidance for EU visa access. The mechanism operates with a global mandate, primarily funded by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), providing 95% of financing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 24/7 Helpdesk Round-the-clock protection officers available to receive and respond to requests from human rights defenders at risk, providing immediate assistance and coordination of support.
• Emergency Grants Flexible financial grants for urgent protection measures tailored to each defender's specific needs and circumstances.
• Temporary Relocation Programme Programme enabling at-risk defenders to relocate within their country, region, or abroad in situations of direct threat, with support from a global network of host entities.
• Organisational Support and Strengthening Grants and capacity support for human rights organisations and communities to advance their work and continue operating in high-risk environments.
• Shelter Initiatives Enhancement of shelters for temporary relocation of defenders and coordination of experience exchanges among host entities worldwide.
• European Union Temporary Relocation Platform (EUTRP) Coordination platform for actors working on temporary relocation of human rights defenders, facilitating data exchange and collaboration among host entities.
• Index of Alerts Public tracking system documenting attacks against human rights defenders, with data organised by alert type and region (annual data, e.g. 5,518 attacks recorded in 2024).
• Field Monitoring and Advocacy On-site monitoring of at-risk defenders' situations, trial observations, fact-finding missions, and advocacy work to mobilise protection and adequate responses.
• Visa for Defenders Initiative Advocacy initiative calling for an effective EU visa framework for at-risk human rights defenders, including guidance notes for HRDs, CSOs, and EU Member States on navigating the EU Visa Code.
• EU Visa Handbook Guidance Notes Three guidance documents for navigating EU visa processes, addressed to HRDs, Civil Society Organisations, and EU Member States/Consular Authorities.
• Digital Security Support Resources and support for human rights defenders on digital security practices and protection.
• Alternative Funding Resources Alternative funding opportunities and resources curated for human rights defenders and organisations.
• Capacity Building and Training Training, capacity development, field accompaniment, and support for human rights defenders and local organisations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55,000+ defenders supported since inception
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Member of the 12-NGO consortium implementing ProtectDefenders.eu. Contributes regional expertise on human rights defenders in Asia.
• DefendDefenders – East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders projectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member focusing on human rights defenders in East and Horn of Africa region.
• Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders (EMHRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member providing support to human rights defenders across Euro-Mediterranean region.
• ESCR-NetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member network connecting human rights organizations focusing on economic, social and cultural rights.
• Front Line DefenderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member international organization working specifically on human rights defender protection.
• ILGA WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member providing expertise on LGBTQI+ human rights defenders issues.
• Peace Brigades InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member with expertise in international accompaniment of human rights defenders.
• Protection InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member with expertise in protection methodologies and risk analysis for human rights defenders.
• Reporters Without BorderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member providing support and protection for journalist human rights defenders.
• The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member and co-founder of the ProtectDefenders.eu mechanism. FIDH hosts the Secretariat of ProtectDefenders.eu.
• The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member operating the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in partnership with FIDH.
• Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights (UAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium member providing specialized support for women human rights defenders.
• AfricanDefenderssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner in the Visa for Defenders initiative, working on EU visa framework advocacy for at-risk human rights defenders.
• Amnesty InternationalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting organization in the Visa for Defenders initiative advocating for EU visa framework reforms.
• Committee to Protect JournalistssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner in Visa for Defenders initiative, contributing expertise on journalist protection.
• Freedom HousesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting organization in Visa for Defenders initiative.
• Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner in advocacy for human rights defender protection.
• Scholars at RisksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner in the Visa for Defenders initiative.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/protecthrd_eu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/protectdefenders.eu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ProtectDefenders.eu