Every day, LGBTIQ+ activists risk their safety to fight for justice and equality. They face threats, physical violence, online harassment, false accusations, and targeted disinformation campaigns. Some are prosecuted, hacked, or attacked simply for speaking out. In extreme cases, these threats silence them forever. The Bessy Ferrera Emergency Fund exists to take action and provide […]
With rising restrictions on civil society and freedom of expression across the world, digital tools have offered new opportunities for safe collaboration and access to information. Yet these tools are also increasingly being undermined by sophisticated digital surveillance and attacks from both state and non-state actors. To address these challenges, Hivos, with support from NORAD, […]
This weekend we received the devastating news that Muhsin Hendricks was shot and killed in Cape Town on February 15. Muhsin was a Muslim scholar and known as the first openly queer imam. He created safe spaces where queer Muslims could practice their faith and find a support structure. Muhsin was very courageous and overcame […]
The ties between Latin America and the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the Caribbean Netherlands mean that these neighboring territories share many challenges – from climate change to public safety – and need to work together effectively to address them. Hivos and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) recently convened a panel of experts […]
The European Union System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE) was officially launched in Johannesburg, South Africa on January 29, 2025. The EU SEE platform, which will be implemented by civil society in 86 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, implements and maintains an early warning and monitoring mechanism to document […]
We are happy to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer. Marco De Ponte will join Hivos on April 1, 2025. Marco brings over two decades of leadership experience in the international NGO sector, particularly with ActionAid. As Secretary General, Marco led ActionAid Italy through a period of transformation and growth. He is […]
Over the last eight years, we have funded no fewer than 745 projects that contributed to inclusive change through our special Voice program.
For 30 years, Hivos-Triodos Fonds has been financing companies that have a proven positive impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in almost 50 countries.
Free to Be Me participated in the recent Global Philanthropy Project 2024 funding summit in Cape Town, South Africa. This crucial event presented an opportunity to advocate for increased funding for LGBTIQ+ rights amidst a concerning trend of shrinking support. During a panel discussion on the evolving geopolitical landscape of funding and the challenges posed […]
In the lead up to documenting the voices of parents of LGBTIQ+ Kenyans, Free to Be Me partners GIN and Sogi Campaigns conducted dialogue sessions with parents and allied faith leaders. The aim was to help address harmful attitudes and behaviours with deep roots in religion and culture and also to create an environment in […]
In many of the countries where the Free to Be Me program operates, anti-gender and anti-rights movements have been gaining traction, leading to regressive policies and heightened societal hostility toward LGBTIQ+ individuals. These movements often exploit cultural, religious, and political narratives to gain support, fueled by misinformation, fearmongering, and the manipulation of cultural and religious […]
Economic empowerment is a crucial element in achieving inclusion and contributing to the well-being of LGBTIQ+ communities globally. At the Free to Be Me Program side event, themed Unlocking Economic Empowerment for LGBTIQ+ Communities advocates, policymakers, grassroots leaders, donors and allies gathered to spotlight innovative solutions, discuss challenges, and go over opportunities for economic justice. […]