The Supports and Solidarity Working Group

We work to respond to the information and support needs of Indigenous, Land and and Environmental Defenders (ILEDs), and to bring ILEDs closer to the organizations working to support them. We work with ILEDs across the world to inform the design and implementation of support strategies, reduce support seeking times, and help to increase the outreach and impact of organizations working to assist ILEDs in their efforts to confront threats against their rights and work. Some of our initiatives, include: 

Building Bridges strategies: Organize meetings and other activities to connect isolated and at-risk defenders, including youth and children, with the organizations working to support them. These gatherings facilitate networking, information sharing, and collaboration, ensuring that defenders have the necessary support and resources to continue their advocacy safely and effectively.

Territory Accompaniment and Collective Protection Initiative: This initiative is a collaborative endeavor spearheaded by ALLIED and Peace Brigades International. The project aims to establish forums and foster knowledge exchange among civil society organizations, defenders, and donors to bolster collective protection practices. By enhancing capacities, improving coordination, and fortifying support structures, the initiative seeks to catalyze a global enhancement in collective protection practices.

Psychosocial Support: We are working with a group of organizations to devise pathways to increase the availability of psychosocial support, bearing in mind context-specific needs. This strategy focuses on providing mental health resources, counseling services, and psychosocial assistance tailored to the unique challenges faced by defenders in different regions.

The Phonebook

We have worked to develop The Phonebook, a tool to allow defenders and local organizations to identify donors and other sources of support more efficiently and transparently.  The Phonebook has been built with direct input from defenders as a tool designed to bring ILEDs closer to the organizations working to support them.

Supporting Environmental Human Rights Defenders Report

ALLIED worked closely with defenders and local organizations in Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, Mexico, and the Philippines to learn about:

  • their most pressing support and information needs,
  • the obstacles they encounter in accessing protection support, and
  • the challenges that organizations typically face in the delivery of effective support to ILEDs.

The key learnings and recommendations from this two-year project have been summarized in this report, which seeks to inform concrete steps to increase the impact of existing and future strategies to support ILEDs.

How We Work

Bottom-up approach and direct ILEDs participation

Inclusivity

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Intersectionality approach

Who We Are

Peace Brigades International

Lifeline Fund for Embattled CSOs

Terravida, Mexico

Center for Justice Governance & Environmental Action, Kenya

Asia-Pacific Network for Environmental Defenders

Pachamama, Colombia

World Resources Institute

We thank the dozens of ILEDs who have worked closely with us, guiding our work and efforts.