Transforming leadership to build stronger and inclusive voices in the fight against modern slavery
The Freedom Rising program, developed by the Freedom Fund, set out to foster a more inclusive and resilient anti-slavery movement by investing in the leadership of people most affected by exploitation. At the heart of the program is transformative leadership, a collaborative, participatory approach that aims to challenge and reshape entrenched power structures that uphold inequality.
Launched in Brazil, India and Nepal, Freedom Rising focused on supporting frontline leaders – particularly women, survivors and individuals from marginalised backgrounds – with the skills, resilience and relationships needed to tackle the root causes and consequences of modern slavery. In 2024, at the conclusion of the program, the Freedom Fund commissioned an independent evaluation to capture lessons and help integrate effective practices into our broader programming as well as other transformative leadership initiatives in the human rights and anti-slavery sectors.
The evaluation draws on over 130 interviews conducted with 42 of the 119 participating organisations and 78 of 239 alumni (33%) across five cohorts. Together, their voices provide a rich picture of impact, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Building on these insights, the Freedom Fund is now taking the next step: integrating transformative leadership into its broader hotspot programs. This marks a new chapter where leadership is not a standalone initiative, but a guiding thread woven through all our efforts to end modern slavery.
Key findings
Individual-level changes
Freedom Rising facilitated important individual transformations. Participants frequently reported greater self-awareness, confidence and leadership capabilities. Many described changes under four main themes: personal growth and healing, addressing trauma, cultivating mindfulness and respect for others, and gaining confidence and a sense of personal agency.
Organisation-level changes
Freedom Rising catalysed significant changes in participating organisations, inspiring more inclusive leadership styles and hiring practices, and contributing to more equitable work environments. Progress was most evident in four areas: collaborative leadership and decision-making, adoption of new strategies and policies, cultural shifts within organisations, and improved ways of working with communities.
Movement-level changes
At a broader level, Freedom Rising strengthened solidarity and trust among leaders, and initiated joint advocacy efforts – laying the groundwork for systemic change. Outcomes were most notable in three main areas: clarity on organisational roles within the movement, deeper solidarity and trust as a foundation for joint work and strengthened partnerships and collective actions.
Recommendations and lessons learned
The findings suggest that while the Freedom Rising program drove substantial changes at both individual and organisational levels, sustaining its long-term impact beyond the conclusion of the program remains a challenge. The evaluation underscores the importance of survivor-led approaches that are inclusive, sustained and grounded in local contexts.
To build on the program’s achievements:
- Incorporate key elements of Freedom Rising: Design leadership programs that are trauma-informed, inclusive, and prioritise self-care. Safe, reflective spaces are crucial for addressing power dynamics and oppression and enabling effective peer-to-peer and experiential learning.
- Combine leadership programs with strategic resources: Pair transformative initiatives with ongoing organisational support to help leaders establish sustainable strategies, policies and practices.
- Provide follow-up support: Include mentorship and technical assistance as part of leadership programs to reinforce training and foster continued growth.
- Support movement building efforts: Offer funding and resources for networking, learning exchanges, joint advocacy campaigns and policy initiatives to strengthen alliances and collaborative action.
- Advocate for flexible long-term funding: Promote core, flexible funding models that support leaders and organisations to build resilience, independence and sustainability over time.
Click below to access the full Freedom Rising evaluation: Final summary report.
