Freedom Fellows

About

The Freedom Fellowship awards up to 10 human rights advocates, social entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders the unique opportunity to dramatically increase the impact of their work.

While there are numerous professional fellowship opportunities around the world, few are available for individuals working in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes. Through the Freedom Fellowship, HRF offers mentorship opportunities to extraordinary individuals who are promoting human rights and operating under very difficult circumstances.

HRF has partnered with the Center for Applied Nonviolent Tactics and Strategies (CANVAS), founded by Serbian civic leader and nonviolence strategist Srdja Popović, to build a revolutionary year-long program. The Freedom Fellowship provides hands-on, expert mentorship across ten critical areas: movement building, leadership, organizing, technology & digital security, media, fundraising, nonviolence theory, mental health, leadership, public speaking.

The Fellowship also aims to cultivate a growing community of human rights activists who will serve as peers and mentors to one another, helping to amplify their colleagues’ work around the world.

Testimonials

I joined the Freedom Fellowship at a time I was full of doubt and anger after terrible elections in my country. I came to the conclusion that I needed to try another strategy, to try some unexplored paths beyond what my movement was doing.

Fred Bauma

Congolese human rights activist & 2019 HRF Freedom Fellow

Thank you HRF for all the guidance through the Freedom Fellowship. I have learned significantly from every session, which allowed me to evaluate my work and activism in the past, and come up with better strategies. They helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses and come up with new ideas and pathways.

Sakdiyah Ma'ruf

Indonesian comedian and anti-extremism activist

Today, I am a more resourceful activist than before I took part in the Freedom Fellowship. I finally feel that I have a network I can rely on at times of need. The Freedom Fellowship and HRF’s support made me feel more powerful and energized in my work as an activist.

Evgeniya Chirikova

Russian environmentalist and anti-war activist

How it Works

Introduction

The year-long fellowship kicks off at HRF’s annual Oslo Freedom Forum in Norway, where Fellows meet for the first time.

Working Retreats

Later in the year, Fellows embark on a one-week retreat, which focuses on nonviolent movement-building and strategic planning, led by CANVAS’ founder, Srdja Popović. Fellows also convene in other locations around the world for in-person mentorship on digital security, fundraising, mental health, and marketing.

Mentorship Sessions

Between their in-person sessions, Fellows continue online work in close collaboration with their new peers and mentors. Over time, they gain the skills and connections necessary to expand the reach of their causes considerably.

Final Presentation

These efforts culminate in a final presentation at the following Oslo Freedom Forum, after which Fellows serve as mentors to the new incoming class of Freedom Fellows.