Justice and Peace Netherlands: Shelter City 2027 Fellowship for Human Rights Defenders (Netherlands)
Human rights defenders at risk apply for a three-month temporary relocation fellowship to the Netherlands with accommodation, stipend, health insurance, visa and flight covered.
Does this fit your work? 5 questions score every call to your medium, location and budget. Free.
Get matched →- Deadline
- 2 days left
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- Monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, visa and return flight tickets
- Location
- Netherlands (14 cities)
- Exhibition window
- Mar 1, 2027 → Jun 1, 2027
About
Program Overview
Shelter City Netherlands is an initiative providing short-term relocation for three months, financed by Justice and Peace Netherlands, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, host organisations and municipalities. From March 2027 onwards, 14 cities in the Netherlands will receive human rights defenders for three months. During their stay, each defender is independent and responsible for their own programme, with support from Justice and Peace and the hosting organisation.
Asser Institute Fellowship
The Asser Institute hosts one Fellow per year within the Shelter City initiative. The fellowship takes place in September 2027. The selected Fellow will carry out a research project during the three-month period, participate in other human rights activities of the Institute, and present research findings in a public or closed event.
Who Can Apply
The term 'human rights defender' refers to activists, journalists and independent media professionals, scholars, writers, artists, lawyers, civil and political rights defenders, civil society members, and others working to advance human rights and democracy in a peaceful manner.
Eligibility Requirements
- Implement a non-violent approach in their work
- Threatened or otherwise under pressure due to work or activism
- Willing and able to return to country of origin after 3 months
- Willing to speak publicly about experience or human rights (within security limits)
- Conversational level of English
- Valid passport with no less than 18 months validity; Justice & Peace covers passport and visa issuance costs
- Not subject to any judicial prohibition to leave the country
- Willing to begin stay around March 2027
Support Provided
A monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, visa and return flight tickets to the Netherlands are provided to selected human rights defenders.
Selection Process
An independent commission will select participants. Additional factors considered include added value of stay in Netherlands, and gender, geographic, and thematic balance. Selected human rights defenders will not automatically participate as Justice & Peace is not in control of visa issuance.
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 2 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST
- Programme begins: March 2027
- Asser Institute Fellowship: September 2027
How to Apply
Application forms must be submitted by 2 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST. For more information, contact [email protected]
- Award
- Monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, visa and return flight tickets
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Theme
- A three-month temporary relocation program for human rights defenders at risk to re-energize, receive support, and engage with allies while carrying out independent or research programs.
- Eligibility
- Human rights defenders at risk implementing non-violent approaches, threatened due to their work, willing to return after three months, with conversational English and valid passport with 18+ months validity.
- Priority given to
- Gender, geographic, and thematic balance considered
- Audience
- Human rights defenders at risk (activists, journalists, independent media professionals, scholars, writers, artists, lawyers, civil and political rights defenders, civil society members)
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.