In January 2026, Lighthouse officially launched as a new multi-donor fund, pooling resources from public and private donors to rally funding for the protection of human rights defenders, enhancing coordination amongst states and other protection actors, and move funding to regional and national protection initiatives.
Between January and March 2026, the Fund delivered over 313 grants in 75 countries through its three grant mechanisms, showing its potential to move fast and respond to the growing HRD protection needs globally. The Fund has continued to deliver this support while growing the commitments behind it, ensuring governments and foundations are scaling up support to human rights defenders.
This work achieved a significant milestone on September 23rd when Lighthouse, alongside the Ford Foundation, the Leaders Network for Environmental Activists and Defenders (LEAD) Initiative, and the Goldman Environmental Prize, co-hosted a high-level event bringing together HRDs, civil society, foundations, and governments to further cement commitments to the Fund and broader support for protection.
Speaking about the event, Helena Hofbauer, International Program Director of Civic Engagement and Government at the Ford Foundation, said "There is nothing more important in this moment than standing with the people who defend our rights, livelihoods, planet earth, and our democracies."
Lighthouse was also due to be spotlighted during the Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park on the 26th September, which was unfortunately cancelled due to bad weather. Sirikan Charoensiri, a woman human rights defender and lawyer from Thailand, was due to speak and highlight her own personal story and the need for greater action on the protection of defenders. Leading up to the Festival, Global Citizen published an article detailing Sirikan’s story, which can be found here.
Speaking about her role within the Festival, Sirikan said: "Raising the risks that human rights defenders face in conducting their legitimate work, such as my colleague Arnon Nampa, is so important at this critical time and I hope this drives further action from governments and foundations."
The UK Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, also announced a £6m commitment to the Fund, sending a strong signal of support for Lighthouse and HRD protection. Further commitments from Germany, the Ford Foundation, and Humanity United were announced, adding to this signal as part of the commitments made for the Festival.
The UK, chair of the Lighthouse Global Protection Fund, pledged £6M to support its work. "Lighthouse is more than just protection. It acts as a global beacon, letting human rights defenders know they are not alone." 💡@Ed_Miliband @FCDO @FCDOGovUK #GlobalCitizenFestival pic.twitter.com/hlcZT4jCG6
— Global Citizen Impact (@GlblCtznImpact) September 26, 2026
Over the next few months, we will be building on this momentum to ensure the Fund is delivering for the protection of HRDs: deepening engagement with HRDs in the governance of the Fund, building more connections with civil society partners in the sector, and expanding the Fund’s donor base to welcome a more diverse range of actors.
If you are interested in hearing more about Lighthouse or would like to donate to the Fund, please email info@lighthousedefenders.org.
