Strengthen our partners' leadership for lasting change
In a global context marked by instability, inequality, and the repression of human rights and those who defend them, organizations and communities need supporting and guiding partners in human rights to act effectively, safely, and sustainably. Without guidance, it becomes more difficult to plan, mobilize, and respond to the complex challenges they face.
Supporting and guiding our partners means providing them with the tools, expertise, and advice they need to strengthen their leadership, increase their impact, and build sustainable initiatives to defend equality, justice, and human rights for all.
ABOUT OUR EXPERTISE
Supporting and guiding our partners over the long term is central to our work. We help our partners strengthen their organizations, strategies, and autonomy so they can effectively promote human rights in their communities.
Together, we co-create solutions tailored to local realities, support informed decision-making, and promote sustainable, inclusive change rooted in the lived experiences of communities.
Equitas guides civil society organizations, institutions, human rights defenders, and young leaders in implementing solutions tailored to their realities.
We support organizational capacity building, advocacy strategy development, inclusive participation, and collective mobilization. Our guidance helps empower communities to defend equality, dignity, and justice.
Power of Equality Project in Kenya
This project aims to strengthen the capacities of educators and human rights defenders to promote and protect women’s rights and gender equality in Kenya. Equitas offers concrete support: targeted training, co-creation of educational resources, strategic support, and the creation of safe spaces to share inclusive practices. We also help mobilize communities and strengthen women’s participation in local decision-making structures to transform learning into sustainable and concrete action.
Women Pro-Forests Project in Guinea
Equitas supports women and young women, civil society organizations, and decision-makers in the Moyen-Bafing National Park to strengthen their environmental rights and promote feminist climate justice. Our support includes practical workshops on the differentiated impacts of climate change, advocacy and mobilization, training on the human rights-based approach to inclusive governance, as well as spaces for exchange and collaboration. Thanks to this support, participants develop their leadership and empowerment skills and contribute to the equitable management of natural resources and increased participation in local decision-making.
Act Together for Inclusion Fund (ACTIF)
ACTIF supports projects that strengthen respect for, protection, and fulfillment of the human rights of LGBTQI+ people around the world. It also helps strengthen a Canadian network of LGBTQI+ organizations and foster relationships between organizations in the Global South.
Since its launch in 2020, the Act Together for Inclusion Fund (ACTIF), managed by Equitas in collaboration with Dignity Network Canada and funded by Global Affairs Canada, has allocated nearly $10 million to projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening respect for, protection, and implementation of the human rights of LGBTQI+ people in the Global South.
All funds have now been allocated, and all projects are expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.
International solidarity and collaboration are at the heart of ACTIF. Through partnerships between 16 Canadian organizations and more than 40 organizations in the Global South, 20 multi-year projects have been implemented in 25 countries. With a duration of 24 to 36 months and budgets ranging from $250,000 to $500,000, these projects have helped improve access to health, legal, and psychosocial services for LGBTQI+ people, strengthen local organizations defending LGBTQI+ rights, reduce prejudice and violence against LGBTQI+ people, and improve legislative frameworks to better protect their rights. ACTIF also funded six special initiatives to respond to emerging risks to LGBTQI+ communities or to provide opportunities to groups that have traditionally faced greater difficulties in accessing funding.
To learn more about the projects funded by ACTIF, visit the Dignity Canada Network website.
We help youth organizations apply the child rights-based approach they learn in our training sessions in practical ways: adjusting their activities, listening more to young people, and making their programs more inclusive and accessible. We offer practical, personalized support to guide them every step of the way.
We also support children and youth in carrying out community action projects. Together with them, we identify the issues that concern them: discrimination, racism, gender inequality, food insecurity, housing crisis, poverty, climate change, access to education and health care, etc. We then look for the causes, mobilize their peers, and engage with decision-makers to find solutions. Throughout the process, young people develop strong skills in democratic participation, leadership, and civic engagement.
Guiding community organizations
After our training sessions, we work directly with youth organizations to help them turn their new knowledge into concrete action. Together, we develop strategies tailored to their context: improving how they listen to young people, creating more inclusive environments, and reviewing their activities or internal policies.
Developing tailored strategies
We work with organizations to develop strategies and approaches tailored to their reality: strengthening their ability to listen to young people, improving inclusion in their programs, and creating environments where every child can participate fully.
Implementing best practices
We support teams in adopting best practices that promote the engagement of children and youth: participation mechanisms, activities accessible to all, and safe spaces for expression and decision-making. Our support is personalized and focused on sustainable change.
For more details on our support in Canada
Contact us: canada@equitas.org
Supporting young people to take action for their communities
Each year, more than 400 young people design and carry out projects on issues that are important to them, thanks to the Speaking Rights program and our educational tools. Equitas supports them throughout the process: identifying an issue, understanding its causes, mobilizing their peers, raising awareness among those around them, and engaging with decision-makers. In this way, young people develop strong skills in democratic participation, leadership, and civic engagement.
Support throughout the process
Equitas supports children and youth at every stage of their project: planning, mobilizing decision-makers, raising awareness, and follow-up. We provide them with practical tools, advice, and resources to transform their ideas into concrete and sustainable actions in their community.
Impact on the community
Through awareness-raising, the adoption of new behaviours, and the mobilization of political decision-makers, young people contribute to building inclusive communities that respect the rights of all. Young people also exercise their rights to democratic participation and mobilize decision-makers to bring about concrete changes that promote truly inclusive environments where every young person is respected and valued.
Get involved!
Help the young people you work with design and implement their community action projects to advance human rights.
Contact us: canada@equitas.org
WHO WE WORK WITH
We collaborate with a diverse range of partners: community organizations, human rights networks, educators, young leaders, municipalities, schools, and public institutions in Canada and around the world. Together, we co-create solutions tailored to local needs, leveraging community expertise and strengthening community leadership. Our partners play an essential role: they identify priorities, mobilize their networks, and carry out sustainable actions to advance justice, equality, and human rights.
STORIES & IMPACT
Each partnership results in concrete actions: raising awareness of human rights issues, community-led rights initiatives, advocacy, youth mobilization, and organizational strengthening. Our partnerships generate lasting change, improve practices, and strengthen communities’ capacity to defend human rights daily.
Our impact around the world
GET INVOLVED
Join our community
Be part of a global community of human rights defenders committed to dignity, equality, and democracy. The Equitas Community offers you a learning space, online courses, practical resources, and forums to discuss human rights issues and collaborate with peers around the world.
Support us
Every contribution helps transform lives, promote equality and inclusion, and build a future where human rights are respected.
Support the development of local leaders and strengthen communities in Canada and around the world.