Donors and finances

The year 2023 was a year of transition at the OMCT and across our Network, particularly regarding funding and finances. Human rights defenders and civil society groups in all regions of the world have reported sustainability and funding difficulties for their work, in the context of increasing crises and armed conflicts many have faced.

Despite numerous challenges impacting different regions where we are engaged, the OMCT’s growth has remained stable in 2023. We were also pleased to announce the formation of the new United Against Torture Consortium in partnership with six other international anti-torture organisations, which can enable a new and vital stream of support for core anti-torture work by local and national groups. But the funding landscape for international human rights has also been in transition throughout the year, which presents important challenges for the sustainability of our movement at a time when our growth is needed to stem further conflicts and shore up support for international rights- and rules-based order.

Despite the continued crises and conflicts emerging worldwide and the resurgence of torture and ill-treatment in all of these contexts, an important resource-mobilization challenge for the OMCT has been to finance a proper crisis response fund. Even so, this Annual Report has highlighted the continued and growing engagement with many of our partners and Network Members in response to crises in their regions and countries. These efforts aim to protect their right to mobilize and defend fundamental rights, enable their work on documenting violations seeking justice, and advocate for rights-based solutions to security, development, and conflict transformation.

Aiming to address the above and other challenges, one of the transitions begun in 2023 for the OMCT was toward a more strategically regionalized approach to our programmes and Network action. This should break a clearer path for region – and country-specific resource mobilization and growth – to boost regional and local capacities to respond to crises and collectively grow programming, networks and action in their regions.

Foundations and other partners

Misereor-KZE
National Endowment for Democracy
Oak Foundation
Open Society Foundations
Open Society Justice Initiative
Private Geneva Foundation
Rafto Foundation
The Sigrid Rausing Trust
Fondation Philanthropia

Governments and other embassies

Austria
Canada
Denmark
Finland
Germany
Ireland
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Switzerland
The United States of America

International and intergovernmental organisations

European Commission
Special Fund of the OPCAT (United Nations)
UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (United Nations)

Local grants (cantons, cities and municipalities in Switzerland)

The City of Geneva
Municipality of Bernex
Municipality of Meyrin
Municipality of Plan-Les-Ouates
Municipality of Troinex
Republic and Canton of Geneva