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RIDHE – International Network of Human Rights Europe is an international organization based in Brussels and Costa Rica, working at the intersection of human rights, social innovation, and economic empowerment. The organization serves as a bridge between civil society in Latin America and international institutions in Europe, particularly the European Union.
RIDHE’s mission is to strengthen the resilience of human rights defenders, promoting democracy and social justice while supporting communities affected by forced displacement and political repression through sustainable solutions based on education, entrepreneurship, and international cooperation.
RIDHE believes that social transformation begins with the creation of sustainable livelihoods. By using resources and funding strategically, the organization promotes dignity, economic resilience, and long-term social impact for communities in vulnerable situations.RIDHE – Red Internacional de Derechos Humanos Europa es una organización internacional con sede en Bruselas y Costa Rica que trabaja en la intersección entre derechos humanos, innovación social y empoderamiento económico. La organización actúa como un puente entre la sociedad civil de América Latina y las instituciones internacionales en Europa, particularmente la Unión Europea.
A core pillar of RIDHE’s work is the Education in Emergencies Programme, which integrates university and technical education, entrepreneurship training, and digital inclusion to support women affected by displacement and political crises.
Over the past six years, the programme has supported more than 400 women in developing small businesses, entrepreneurship skills, and employability opportunities, particularly in border regions of Costa Rica and Colombia.
Through training, mentorship, and access to digital tools, the programme enables women to rebuild their economic independence and develop sustainable livelihoods.
RIDHE also promotes digital inclusion initiatives aimed at reducing the digital divide affecting women in situations of forced mobility.
As part of these initiatives, the organization has distributed more than 200 tablets with internet connectivity to women in vulnerable situations, enabling them to access digital education, develop online commerce, and carry out essential administrative and legal procedures.
These tools allow women to create online business opportunities, strengthen their economic independence, and participate actively in the digital economy.
RIDHE promotes the participation of European youth volunteers in community initiatives across Latin America. Through exchange programmes, young Europeans collaborate with local organizations to support entrepreneurship, social innovation, and economic sustainability initiatives for women and young people in situations of forced displacement.
From its base in Brussels, RIDHE actively engages with European institutions, including the European Parliament and its Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI). Through policy dialogue and advocacy, the organization contributes to international discussions on democratic resilience, the protection of human rights defenders, and global challenges such as transnational repression.
Entrepreneurship and employability initiatives for women affected by forced displacement.
Digital inclusion program facilitating access to the internet, online commerce, and the completion of administrative and legal procedures.
University and technical scholarships for youth, as well as master’s programs aimed at teachers and professionals in vulnerable contexts.
Education and economic empowerment initiatives implemented in border regions of Latin America.
A cooperation network among civil society organizations, international institutions, and local communities.
Participating in exchange programs and supporting community-based initiatives.
Entrepreneurship and employability initiatives for women affected by forced displacement.
Participation in dialogue spaces and advocacy processes with the United Nations and the institutions of the European Union.
Collaborative and participatory spaces that promote the co-creation of innovative solutions to address social challenges, with a focus on human rights, equity, and inclusion.
From an approach of social justice, gender equality and intersectionality, we promote transformative processes that make visible and accompany historically excluded communities with an emphasis on women defenders, youth, people with disabilities, displaced persons and those in situations of forced mobility. Our work is nourished by participatory and innovative methodologies, specialized training and academic analysis, to give life to high-impact collaborative initiatives.
We build a more just, supportive and inclusive society in which diversity is accepted as a value and in which each person can develop their life project. We believe in each person's capacity for change and we are committed to the most vulnerable through closeness and support.
Commitment with human rights and human dignity; we strive to ensure that all people have the same opportunities and obligations to decide their future and achieve individual and collective well-being.
Diversity acting to ensure fair treatment, inclusion and access to opportunities for all people.
Gender Equality promote transformations regarding inequalities and inequities in the condition, construction of the roles and position of men and women in society.
Independencia of any political group, religious belief or economic interest. Transparency we are accountable to the institutions we work with and to society in general.
We are a protective and safety network that works to improve the lives of defenders
including their families, girls, boys and their communities.
Denounce violations of access to inclusive education, promoting access to all to all people.
We work to guarantee the right to inclusive, equitable and transformative education.
We accompany and defend people in situations of forced mobility in the phases of origin, transit and destination. We fight to eradicate the causes of these processes of forced mobility and to contribute to creating a culture of hospitality and reconciliation.
We promote equality between women and men through women's empowerment, the transformation of patriarchal culture, education and the modification of gender roles.
Committed to life as a whole in a context of socio-environmental crisis and unjust economic and social relations. We empower the most disadvantaged people and communities by promoting the common good, solidarity and care for nature.
We empower people to engage as global citizens in socio-political action. We encourage innovation and social transformation through empowerment.
We support volunteering.
Strategic Areas (2024-2029)
Actions and methodologies to restore the right to inclusive education, creating formal and non-formal educational opportunities for people in situations of forced mobility.
With an inclusive approach, we accompany the most vulnerable people, such as boys, girls, young people, women, teachers and people with disabilities.
A set of actions aimed at strengthening the autonomy, dignity and well-being of people seeking international protection and refugees. Emergency funded care for social crises, psychosocial support and mental health aimed at the most vulnerable people in situations of forced mobility.
Promote the international protection of human rights from the international arena and local governments. Protection and defense of civil society organizations and rights defenders, through advocacy with United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the Organization of American States (OAS).
Transparency is one of the values that guide us and that mark the work we do and how we do it.
For this reason our worldwide team members put a lot of effort into showing you what we do and who we are by communicating clearly our activities and actions.
According to the order of the Belgian Ministry of Justice of May 10 from 2019, RIDHE is a recognized international non-profit association (AISBL). Registered in the Belgian Register of Legal Entities under number 0730618747.
And finally as an NGO, we are regulated by the “statutes”, rules that regulate the operation of the entity and that have been approved by a board of directors.
We promote quality as a tool at the service of social development.
Annual PoliciesGet to know the
Politics for the PreventionClear Accounts
AccountabilityLearn more about who runs RIDHE
OUR TEAM
RIDHE is a complex of Human Rights Defenders, social groups, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), journalists, academics and experts in rights, committed to working in networks and alliances.
Our strength is in the Network
A diverse community, which articulates efforts in 13 countries and which continues to grow through alliances with universities, research centers, cultural spaces and international organizations in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Impact Networks
Space to share good practices in the regional social sector. We exchange information, knowledge and learning about impactful social innovation, grassroots development and sustainable communities.
OSC Networks:
Space for coordination that we carry out with other social organizations specializing in various subjects to, together, contribute to the strengthening and permanence of the social sector in the EU-LAC.
Advocacy Networks:
Collaborative working groups to build new routes for the demand of human rights, the defense of human rights before the United Nations and the European Union.
We promote inter-institutional alliances based on solidarity and the defense of human rights.
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