About us
Araminta’s mission is to promote the effective application of international human rights principles in business, government and civil society.
Araminta is a not-for-profit corporation that assists donors in implementing international human rights projects, helps civil society organisations achieve their missions safely and effectively, and serves as a source of advisory services for visionary commercial entities who understand the link between the observance of human rights standards and success in business. We are a collective of practitioners, activists, and experts offering local and global knowledge in applying human rights principles in business, government, and civil society.
Our Team
In just a few years, Araminta has expanded to a team of 17 dedicated experts and activists with a current annual operating budget of €1.9 million and a total budget of €4 million including our fiscal stewardship work. This growth reflects both the urgency of the challenges we address and the trust placed in us by our partners and funders.
Advisory Board members
- Arzu Geybulla civic space, security
- Friedhelm Weinberg digital rights, organizational development
- Atanas Politov legal matters
- Yvette Alberdingk Thijm digital rights & organizational development
- Goran Buldioski EU & fundraising, academic connection
- Knut Stoermer finance and taxes
- Anja Kersten human resources, and labor law
- Julie Broome, philanthopic connections, networks
Our Journey
Araminta was founded in January 2021 by Jennifer Gaspar, a Berlin-based human rights advocate with two decades’ experience in grantmaking, organizational development and human rights defender security, and deep ties to civil society across the former Soviet Union.
Since its founding, Araminta has rapidly developed into a critical hub providing vital support and capacity-building for at-risk human rights defenders (HRDs) and movements in Europe and Central Asia. With our 17-member staff, many of whom are HRDs in exile, Araminta has become known for developing innovative approaches to protection, advocacy, fundraising and sustainability.
What’s in the name?
Our name was inspired by the life and work of American abolitionist and activist Araminta Ross. Born into slavery in 1822 in Maryland, Araminta changed her name to Harriet Tubman after her marriage and created what became known as the Underground Railroad, a network of safehouses run by abolitionists who helped slaves escape to freedom. Her fearless advocacy, drive for equality, and dedication to the freedom and safety of others are qualities that we aspire to emulate in our own work.
Our Impact
- Since our founding, Araminta has delivered tangible, measurable results:
- in fiscal stewardship provided to civil society partners,
- for emergency relocations for at-risk defenders and their families,
- for legal support for Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in custody,
- for successful advocacy interventions at the EU policy level.
Financial Protection
We delivered more than 2 million EUR in fiscal stewardship to deregistered human rights movements and journalists forced to operate in exile. This funding kept their vital work at home alive when traditional channels failed.
Emergency Response
We financed and coordinated more than 100 emergency relocations of human rights defenders at risk. We referred more than 90 additional cases to partner NGOs for response. We built a network of 25 rapid response NGOs across Europe who collectively facilitated hundreds of relocations due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Long-term Support
We hosted more than 30 medium-to-long-term fellowships and respite residencies for human rights defenders lasting 3-6 months in Berlin, sponsored by the German Foreign Ministry’s Elisabeth Selbert Initiative, Protect Defenders.eu, Open Society Foundations, and the Shelter City Network.
Legal Defence
We financed and coordinated legal defence for 150+ Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees whilst coordinating support for their families.
Policy Advocacy
We advocated for mobility and protection for human rights defenders from third countries in the EU. This was reflected in a EU Parliament Resolution, by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, and changes to the EU Visa Handbook in 2024. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders also recognised this need at the European Parliament in December 2024.
Wellbeing Innovation
Cooperating with the Culture Shock Foundation (Poland), we provided mental health and psychosocial support to Ukrainian human rights defenders. We trained 18 professional coaches in anti-burnout and trauma awareness, who now provide individual assistance to over 10 human rights leaders.
Organisational Protection
We created and managed financial stewardship and comprehensive organisational assistance that to date supported one Turkish, four Georgian, one Azerbaijani, one Hungarian, and two other Eurasian civil society organisations at risk.
Capacity Building
We conducted business and human rights training for 30 Eurasian human rights defenders. This resulted in a formal report to the United Nations on big tech’s impact on human rights in Eurasia and the launch of five activist-led research projects.
Our Vision
Araminta strives for a world where human rights defenders are safe, supported, and empowered to continue their vital work. By combining direct protection, legal aid, advocacy, and capacity-building, we ensure that defenders and communities are equipped to fight for justice and human rights and are enabled to reinforce democratic resilience.