At the Freedom Fund, our new strategy reaffirms a core commitment: recognising, respecting, including and valuing the leadership of those most directly affected by modern slavery. This commitment, rooted in mutual respect and courage, inspired the creation of the Survivor Leadership Fund (SLF) in 2021.
The power of survivor leadership
Since joining the SLF team in April 2024, I have been deeply inspired by the resilience and impact of survivor-led organisations (SLOs). Despite limited resources and, in some cases, operating without formal structures, these groups are driving real change in their communities. Survivors are not only experts by experience; they are experts in solutions and strategies.
This truth was further underscored during my recent participation as a moderator at an OSCE side event titled “Stronger together: The central role of civil society and survivor expertise in anti-trafficking efforts.” The event highlighted the depth of skills and expertise survivors bring to this work, reminding us that walking hand in hand with survivors is not optional; it is essential.
Breaking barriers through trust-based funding
Modern slavery is a systemic issue that demands community-driven solutions. Yet, SLOs often face significant barriers to traditional funding, from financial thresholds to documentation requirements. Despite this, they continue to provide vital services, from shelters and community education to advocacy and litigation, often relying on informal networks to sustain their work.
The SLF addresses these barriers by offering flexible, trust-based funding. With a light-touch application process and flexible reporting, the SLF reduces bureaucracy, giving SLOs the freedom to prioritise their needs, invest in growth, and focus on their core mission. Unlike restricted grants, SLF funding is unrestricted, allowing survivor leaders to direct resources where they are most needed.
Grantees often highlight how different the SLF feels compared to traditional donors, valuing not just the funding but the partnership that recognises and strengthens their organisations for long-term sustainability.
Looking ahead
The SLF has already made a significant impact, but the work is far from done. Following a recent evaluation, the SLF is expanding our approach to go beyond funding, by enhancing the SLOs’ organisational capacity and strengthening their networks as well as harnessing these efforts for greater and deeper impact to ensure their contributions remain sustainable and far-reaching.
We invite you to read the evaluation and see for yourself the strength, resilience, and vision that survivor-led organisations bring to the fight against modern slavery.
Survivors bring the vision, courage, and expertise that the anti-slavery sector needs more than ever. At the Freedom Fund, we are proud to partner with them and stand. Meaningful partnerships with SLOs, including through unrestricted funding, is not just good practice; it is necessary towards making progress in the fight against modern slavery.
