Convening fund

Convenings are critical venues for movement building in the anti-slavery space. However, survivors and other marginalised individuals are often excluded from opportunities to attend, lead and shape their agendas – resulting in convenings that reinforce existing power imbalances and, ultimately, preventing the development of a more cohesive and powerful movement. The Freedom Fund provides small grants to promote more inclusive convenings and ensure meaningful inclusion of survivors.

This funding takes two forms, support for convenings and support for individual survivor participation, each of which are detailed below. If you have questions or wish to make a funding request, please contact Antonia Musunga, Program Manager for Movement Building, at [email protected].

Deadline for applications: 27 March 2023

Please note that we may not be able to fulfil all requests for funding. Our ability to provide funding will also be dependent on the country’s legal requirements and prevailing contexts. We are not able to fund organisations in India.

The following processes apply even if you have previously received funding from the Freedom Fund. Please read through the frequently asked questions for additional information.

Support for convenings

This funding is provided to organisations who host convenings, with the goal of supporting anti-slavery convenings that contribute to a more global, diverse and inclusive movement.

Criteria

• Convening must have clear objectives, including among them an intention to build the global anti-slavery movement.
• Convening must be regional or international (including participants from more than one country) and should have ten or more participants, from more than two organisations / networks / collectives. Convenings must be associated with one or more organisations (not solely individuals).
• Organizers of the convening must demonstrate a clear and coherent safeguarding plan.
• Individuals with lived experience of modern slavery and/or from communities impacted by modern slavery must be substantively included in the planning and execution of the event. Individuals with lived experience should not be limited to speaking about survivorship or traumatic experiences (see section on ethical conduct below).
• We prioritise funding for convenings taking place in the Global South and particularly in countries where The Freedom Fund has programmes operating. If the event has an international remit, individuals based in the Global South should compose at least 50% of attendees. Organisers must be able to articulate the steps they are taking to ensure that the event is accessible and inclusive of attendees with a diverse range of experiences & identities.
• Organisers must sign onto the following two pledges: Survivor Alliance Pledge to Interact Ethically with Survivors and My Story, My Dignity. Organisers are strongly encouraged to provide free or discounted admission to survivors and to compensate survivor speakers.
• Organisations may request and receive up to US $30,000 per year under this Fund.
• Funding can be used for any costs associated with conference planning, execution or attendees. Funding cannot be used for staff costs or other organisational costs not associated with the convening.

Application Process

• Requests for funding must be submitted at least three months in advance of the planned event.
• Applications should be made via the google forms attached on this link. Please complete all questions.
• If you need support or have difficulty filling out this application, please contact [email protected] for assistance.
• Applications received will be considered at the end of the application period. Applications will be assessed against the above selection criteria. Further information may be requested before a decision can be made on some applications. Organisations that have not previously received funding from the Freedom Fund will also be invited to conduct an interview with the Movement Building Program Manager as part of the selection process.
• Applications that most closely align with the criteria and objectives of the Fund will be selected.

Support for survivor participation in convenings

This funding is provided to support individuals with lived experience of modern slavery to attend convenings, with the goal of improving the ability of survivor leaders, especially those lacking access to funding, to contribute their expertise, ideas and experience to convenings. Funding may be provided directly to individuals or to organisations supporting individuals with lived experience to attend convenings.

Criteria

• Convening must include content on modern slavery. Survivors can be participating as speakers or attendees.
• Convening must be regional or international (including participants from more than one country) and should have ten or more participants, from more than two organisations / networks / collectives.
• Convenings must be associated with one or more organisations (not solely individuals).
• Preference will be given to applicants based in the Global South.
• Funding can be used for costs associated with attendance, including but not limited to event tickets, flights, hotels, visas, subsistence, interpreters, presentation supplies, childcare or other support needed to facilitate effective participation.
• Individuals may request up to US $3,000 per year.

Application Process

• Requests for funding must be submitted at least two months in advance of the planned event.
• Applications should be made by completing the form attached on this link. You will be required to provide your contact details and the details of the convening you wish to attend, including confirmation of your invitation or registration to attend the convening.
• If you need support or have difficulty filling out this application, please contact [email protected] for assistance.
• Applications received will be considered at the end of the application period. Applications will be assessed against the above selection criteria. Further information may be requested before a decision can be made on some applications.
• If successful, funds may be provided directly to the individual application or to a host organisation supporting the individual to attend the convening.