Groningen

The city of Groningen is a small but lively city in the north of the Netherlands. The creation of Shelter City Groningen began as an initiative by local political parties Student & Stad and D66 in 2015, who both believe in human rights and tolerance. Today, Shelter City Groningen is a collaboration of a broad spectrum of organizations and people, including the municipality of Groningen, University College Groningen, and others.

Our support

Rest and re-energize

Groningen provides human rights defenders at risk with a welcoming and safe environment where they can take time for themselves, rest and re-energise. Here, they can pay attention to their wellbeing, enjoy the city’s lively environment, 

Tailored support and capacity-building

In Shelter City Groningen, our guests are behind the steering wheel of their stay. We offer them tailored and flexible support to meet their needs and wishes, from physical and physiological care, to courses at the local universities, and recreational activities. Our team of energetic students ensures the guests have a fruitful stay tailored to their needs. 

Engage with local allies

We believe Shelter City is a two-way street. On the one side, human rights defenders can spread awareness about the situation in their country with audiences here in the Netherlands, and on the other side, students and local citizens can learn more about human rights situations around the world and support the work of human rights defenders.

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

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and stay up to date with all news and events.