We are Shelter City

A global movement for human rights defenders at risk

Learn more about us here
We are Shelter City

Shelter City is a global movement that offers safe and inspiring spaces to human rights defenders at risk where they can re-energize, receive tailormade support and engage with allies in order to reinforce their local actions for change.

Our impact

We envision a world where we can all safely contribute to just and peaceful societies.

22
Shelter Cities globally
100+
Partners around the world
699+
Human rights defenders

Our locations

We offer safe and inspiring spaces all over the world. Find our locations on the map.

Our Stories

Nnedinma, regaining her mojo in Shelter City
Nnedinma tells us how her three-month stay in Tilburg with Shelter City enabled her to re-energize and regain her mojo to continue her work.
Shelter City Tilburg
Alice, on the frontlines of a high-risk profession
At the end of her three-month stay in the Netherlands, Alice wrote a story to share her experience as a journalist in the DRC.
Shelter City The Hague
Alice, en première ligne d’une profession à risque
A la fin de son séjour de trois mois aux Pays – Bas, Alice à écrit un article pour partager son expérience de journaliste en RDC.
Shelter City The Hague
Fabianna, reflecting on her connection with human rights defenders
Fabianna, a former intern at Justice & Peace Netherlands, reflects on her experience accompanying Shelter City guests participating in the initiative in the Netherlands.
Shelter City The Hague
Giving your all for the things you believe in
Wouter Ermens recounts his experience interning in the role of a programme coordinator of Shelter City Nijmegen and supporting a Shelter City guest.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Sheyla: “Freedom is my favourite word”
"I am Sheyla Urdaneta, I am a journalist, and a woman: a double risk in Venezuela, where liberty of expression and press are constricted."
Shelter City Haarlem
Sheyla: “Libertad es mi palabra favorita”
"Soy Sheyla Urdaneta, soy periodista y mujer: un doble riesgo en Venezuela, donde se viola la libertad de expresión y de prensa."
Shelter City Haarlem
Zabib, balancing motherhood and activism in South Sudan
"Being an activist shouldn’t stop women from having children, and having children shouldn’t stop women from their activist work. Let’s not give up."
Shelter City Rotterdam

Get involved

Join the
movement

Become a Shelter City

Set up a safe and inspiring space.

Volunteer

Support visiting human rights defenders.

Access
support

Get resources

All the tools you need, in one place.

Apply

Apply for a stay in a Shelter City.

Stand
side by side

Donate

Contribute to the cause of human rights defenders.

Learn

Get to know human rights defenders and their work.

Apply now

Apply to our call for applications

The call for applications for Shelter City Netherlands is currently closed.

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