Fostering safety together through Resilience Agenda
From 3 to 8 November, 24 human rights defenders from the EU Eastern Partnership countries gathered in Moldova to participate in programme, led by Civil Rights Defenders, callled Resilience Agenda: Solidarity Community for Secure Activism. This new exchange and learning initiative aims to strengthen security among human rights defenders from the region.
Over the course of six days, the participants exchanged experiences with each other in Chișinău, exploring how a sense of community can improve security. Together, they identified shared risks and needs and developed strategies to increase psychosocial resilience and protect their emotional wellbeing.
“Human rights defenders today face an especially intense mix of internal and external stressors. This pressure takes a serious toll on both mental and physical health,” said one of the participants, Iason, an LGBTI+ and HIV activist from Georgia who now lives in Europe.
“No one should have to do this alone”
The participants represented a range of civil society organisations that focus on diverse issues, from supporting the LGBTI+ community to advocating the release of political prisoners and documenting war crimes. Dealing with these issues day in and day out can be challenging.
“We work under constant surveillance and disinformation campaigns. At the same time, we face the emotional burden of documenting violations against children which is why holistic security is essential,” Anna from Ukraine, explained.
Anna was particularly grateful for the opportunity to discuss her work with other human rights defenders and build a supportive cross-regional network. “No one should have to do this work alone.”
“Together, we’re so much stronger”
During the lectures and workshops, the participants got to share ideas and practical tips with others who work in similar circumstances. For many, the week was a reminder of the fact that safety doesn’t just depend on plans and protocols: it also stems from community and cooperation.
“I really believe in people and connections. It’s crucial to be united and share our challenges,” said Anna P, who works in Moldova.
Iason agreed with her: “I want to learn from methods that already work for other human rights defenders and see how they can be adapted to our rapidly changing reality.”
Concrete tools and long-term networks
The programme now continues online. Over the course of the next months, the participants will continue to work together digitally, continuing the conversations they started in Moldova and shaping the programme’s upcoming sessions. The goal is to develop concrete tools and long-term support structures to enhance human rights defenders’ security – individually as well as through a community of solidarity.
Resilience Agenda is not just about protecting oneself. It’s also about supporting each other, finding the strength and tools to keep going, and building a more secure foundation for the future, together.
The programme is organised by Civil Rights Defenders in cooperation with the Georgian organisation Center for Participation and Development, and is funded by the Swedish Institute’s Creative Partnerships Programme.
