Human Rights Leadership Program
Program for leaders in the field of human rights
Project Name: Human Rights Leadership Program
Abbreviation: HRL Program
Project Duration: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026 (36 months)
Project Coordinator: Heartefact Fond (Serbia)
Project Partner: 8th of March Institute (Slovenia)
The project aims to enhance understanding and support for human rights advocacy within marginalized communities in order to inform policy changes and amplify marginalized voices. Key objectives include providing capacity development for advocacy to individuals and organizations focused on the rights of marginalized communities, as well as facilitating campaigns and advocacy through creative actions.
The initiative, led by Heartefact in partnership with Slovenian Institute 8th March, seeks to address issues of social exclusion, violence, and marginalization in Serbia, fostering a democratic political culture and respect for human rights. Through targeted interventions, the project aims to increase practical understanding of the challenges faced by frontline human rights defenders and critically examine patterns of violence directed at those representing marginalized communities. Aligned with Heartefact Fund’s strategy, the project builds on previous work and contributes to the organization’s ongoing efforts to strengthen human rights contributions.
The project is consisted of six programmatic areas:
1. Fellowship:
The fellowship program, which involves working with 20 individuals (annually) engaged in the field of human rights advocacy, is dedicated to empowering marginalized groups by strengthening their capacities for activism in this area. Heartefact will provide the support through:
- Capacity Development Support which increases the potential of Fellows to facilitate social impact in defense of civil, political, economic, social, or cultural rights of marginalized communities.
- Development of capacity for collective action: All 20 fellows participating annually will receive training in collective action, advocacy, campaigning, and public engagement.
- Tailored capacity development support: Based on self-assessment and expressed needs, each fellow will receive tailored capacity development support to enhance their potential for social impact.
- Self-care Support – Provided by our partner, “Institute of 8th March”, this aspect focuses on the personal well-being and mental health of the fellows to make them more resilient against social pressures.
The fellowship program is made up of 3 segments:
- An online kick-off meeting for assessing the fellows’ needs.
- A 5-day in-person seminar in Serbia, featuring training by human rights experts
- One-on-one online consultations post-seminar.
Training on gender sensitivity and gender mainstreaming, ensuring that the fellows promote gender equality in their work and personal outlook.
2. Grant Program:
The grant program, designed to provide financial support, is aimed at endorsing initiatives led by individuals involved in projects contributing to the development of human rights in Serbia. Heartefact will allocate financial support for the implementation of the five most promising projects annually that are developed during the program. This support aims to stimulate innovation and contribute to strengthening the capacities of organizations and individuals in the field of human rights.
3. Network development:
Network development involves the creation of an informal network comprising up to 50 individuals, including all Fellows, along with other Heartefact’s associates, activists, and partners in the field arts and activism. This network is intended to provide support, facilitate the exchange of ideas, inspire members, and serve as a platform for collective action to promote social change and human rights.
4. Creative actions:
Creative actions focus on producing cultural works that address human rights issues. Each year, Heartefact will create a cultural output, such as a theater play or showcase, concentrating on themes like social exclusion, violence, and marginalization. These productions will be highly inclusive and participatory, integrating activistic perspectives into the creative process and production.
5. Public campaigns:
Through traditional and digital media, public campaigns advocate important aspects of human rights implementation in Serbia. These campaigns aim to stimulate public discourse on social exclusion and marginalization, as well as the protection and promotion of the rights of marginalized groups. Annually, Heartefact will develop a campaign designed to be dynamic and impactful in addressing pressing issues in the field of human rights.
6. Policy development:
The policy analysis and development aspect of the program aims to produce up to 5 policy papers and recommendations over three years, targeting institutional change in human rights protection in Serbia. These policy recommendations will regularly be addressed to institutions at the local and national level, aiming to result in concrete policy changes in practice.
