The Elisabeth-Selbert-Initiative provides threatened human rights defenders with a safe place to recuperate, cope with trauma, and when possible, to network and further develop their professional skills. The initiative is named after the politician and lawyer Dr. Elisabeth Selbert (1896 – 1986). As one of four women to contribute to the German constitution, called the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany, she is also known as one of 'the Mothers of the Basic Law'. She vigorously campaigned for the principle of equality to be anchored within the constitution, thereby making an important contribution to the protection of human rights in Germany.
ifa cooperates with civil society actors to carry out the programme. The Elisabeth-Selbert-Initiative organises temporary relocation with host organisations which integrate and accompany the human rights defender. The initiative is implemented by ifa with funds from the German Federal Foreign Office.
In 2023 as well as in 2024, the state government of Rhineland-Palatinate will provide EUR 100,000 for the human rights protection programme "Elisabeth Selbert Initiative".
With the Elisabeth-Selbert-Initiative (ESI), ifa supports activists who are committed to upholding human rights. The initiative provides temporary relocation grants for those who, due to their peaceful commitment to human rights, are threatened with physical and psychological violence, arrest, occupational disqualification, and even murder.
These include e.g. ethnic minority groups fighting for land rights, women defending themselves against discrimination and violence, LGBTIQ+ activists campaigning for their right to sexual identity, or journalists exposing cases of corruption. The Elisabeth-Selbert-Initiative has no regional or thematic focus in the protection programme for human rights defenders nor is it oriented towards specific professional groups such as journalists or lawyers. For more information see document 'Eligibility criteria for temporary relocation'.
The ESI project team reviews the application documents and the personal statement of the human rights defender, contacts the reference persons and, if necessary, asks the applicant and the host organisation for further information. If all requirements are met, the ESI team prepares a draft resolution and informs the committee.
The decision about funding is made by an independent committee. It consists of four to six people proposed by the German Federal Foreign Office, ifa, the German Institute for Human Rights and the Forum Menschenrechte (FMR). If the committee chooses the applicant, a contract is concluded between the host organisation and ifa.
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