Jennifer Gaspar
Managing Director
Our support
Rest and respite
Our Shelter City offers a safe and welcoming environment where human rights defenders can step away from the pressures and risks of their daily work. We provide comfortable housing, space for reflection, and opportunities for cultural engagement, enabling guests to restore their physical and mental health while regaining the energy needed for their future advocacy.
Networking and advocacy
Berlin is a hub for some of the world’s most vibrant civic initiatives, making it an ideal place to expand professional connections. We facilitate meetings with civil society organizations, academic institutions, media, and policymakers, helping defenders strengthen their advocacy, share their experiences, and build long-term alliances that amplify their voices locally and internationally.
Tailormade support
We provide personalized opportunities to enrich the stay and meet individual needs, from medical check-ups and language courses to swimming lessons, theatre workshops, and other activities which foster well-being and creativity. This tailored approach ensures that each human rights defender can not only recover from their experiences but also explore new skills and personal growth.
Our team
Evgeny Shtorn
Programme Officer Rapid Response and Advocacy
Nathalie Losekoot
Advocacy Lead
Olesya Vynogradska
Berlin Nest manager
Coordinating organization
Berlin
Implements and coordinates Shelter City Berlin.
Partner organization
Berlin
Araminta’s closest partner, a global grantmaking network advancing human rights, justice, and democratic governance worldwide.
Partner organization
Berlin
A philanthropic foundation supporting human rights, fairness, and environmental sustainability through global grantmaking.
Partner organization
Berlin
A German federal programme providing protection and temporary relocation for human rights defenders at risk worldwide.
Henry, building spaces of joy and dignity for persons with disabilities
Henry Chivhanga is a 56-year-old Zimbabwean human rights defender who advocates for disability rights. He was a guest in Shelter City Nijmegen in the Spring of 2025. Henry leads the Disability Amalgamation Community Trust (DACT) as its founder and director. They are an organization dedicated towards the representation of minority voices and agency, especially people […]
Shelter City Nijmegen
AL, ensuring safety and dignity for LGBTIQA+ and neurodiverse communities in Madagascar
Content warning: The following article contains descriptions of sexual violence and violence against LGBTIQA+ persons that might be upsetting or disturbing to some readers. My name is AL, and I’m a defender for the rights of queer and neurodiverse people in Madagascar. I define myself as an agender, neurodiverse, and queer person, as well as […]
Shelter City Amsterdam
Hanna, a journalist from Ukraine on sisterhood, human rights advocacy, and peacemaking
Honouring the contributions of journalists and women on the International Day of Women Human Rights Defenders.
Shelter City The Hague
Miluska, advocating for legal protections for the LGBTIQA+ community
Miluska, transwoman, lawyer, and LGBTIQA+ rights defender from Peru reflects on her journey and work as a human rights defender.
Shelter City The Hague
Lou, documenting children’s rights in the Philippines
As a Shelter City Research Fellow at the Asser Institute, Lou, a human rights defender from the Philippines, investigated the accessibility of international justice mechanisms for child victims.
Shelter City The Hague
Guliaim, encouraging to find the activist within you
Guliaim, women's rights defender from Kyrgyzstan, shares her journey and hopes for Kyrgyz women and the future of her country.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Sylvain, advocating for disability rights in the DRC
Sylvain is a disability rights defender from the Democratic Republic of Congo who stayed in Shelter City Rotterdam. Faced with challenges due to the ongoing discrimination against persons with disabilities, he strives to strengthen their participation and inclusion in society.
Shelter City Rotterdam
Czarina, being an activist when they’ve labelled you a terrorist in the Philippines
Czarina, a human rights lawyer from the Philippines, shares how her activism has continued to motivate her despite the severe challenges she faces.
Shelter City Rotterdam