Protection Grants for human rights defenders (Front Line Defenders)
Verified by the editorial team 19 September 2026
Summary
Up to EUR 7,500 for urgent security improvements for human rights defenders and their organisations: physical and digital protection, legal costs in cases of judicial harassment, medical care, and support for families of imprisoned defenders. Applications are accepted at any time through a secure channel.
About the call
Front Line Defenders provides protection grants to human rights defenders at risk because of their work. Funds cover physical security upgrades for premises and people, digital and communications security, legal fees in judicial harassment cases, medical costs for injured or ill defenders, and assistance to the families of imprisoned or at-risk defenders.
The programme does not cover retrospective costs, international organisations, duplicate applications already funded elsewhere, costs for defenders in exile, operational expenses such as salaries and rent, armed security, vehicles or general living costs.
Applications are made through a secure online form and accepted in many languages. Financial supporting documents - receipts and invoices - are required once the funds are spent.
Who can apply
- Human rights defenders at risk because of their work
- Civil society and human rights organisations, including small and unregistered initiatives
- Families of imprisoned or persecuted defenders
Who cannot apply
- International organisations
- Applicants whose costs are already funded by another donor
- Defenders in exile (under this programme)
What the funds are for
- Physical security upgrades for people and premises
- Digital and communications security
- Legal fees in judicial harassment cases
- Medical costs for injured or ill defenders
- Support for families of imprisoned defenders
What is not funded
- Retrospective costs
- Operational costs: salaries, rent
- Armed security and vehicles
- General living costs
Documents required
Forms and templates are on the call page
How to apply
- 1Open the secure online form on the programme page
- 2Describe the threat, the protection measures needed and the costs
- 3Submit - applications are accepted on a rolling basis
- 4Send receipts and invoices once the funds are spent
Questions and answers
- Can an unregistered initiative get a Front Line Defenders Protection Grant?
- Yes. Eligible applicants include civil society and human rights organisations, including small and unregistered initiatives.
- Does a Front Line Defenders grant cover salaries and rent?
- No. Operational costs such as salaries and rent are not funded, nor are retrospective costs, armed security or vehicles.
Donor contacts
Website: www.frontlinedefenders.org
