When risk escalates, we act.

Transnational repression turns exile into an extension of authoritarian control. When democracies fail to recognise it as a coordinated strategy, they risk becoming its unintended enablers.

Vano Chkhikvadze, Araminta

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Araminta has expanded its rapid-response mechanisms to support human rights defenders and LGBTIQ+ activists facing immediate threats.

We provide fast, flexible, and holistic protection – enabling defenders to relocate, recover, and continue their work safely.

What we do:

• Emergency grants for housing, legal aid, and transport
• Temporary relocation across Europe
• Safe hosting environments, including our Activist Nest in Berlin

Activist Nest Berlin

Flagship Initiative: Activist Nest Berlin

A safe space for at-risk activists to connect, recover, and rebuild

Araminta’s Activist Nest is a dedicated support hub for at-risk activists who need a safe place to pause, regroup, and move forward. Based in Berlin, the Nest brings together activists from outside the EU, including Georgia, Ukraine, and Central Asia, and helps them build strong networks while continuing their work.

Fellowship and Residency Programs for Activists

The Nest runs structured fellowship and residency programs designed for activists who have temporarily relocated to Berlin. These programs provide practical support and a sense of community during a critical time.

Participants have access to:

• A welcoming community space for collaboration and exchange
• One-on-one coaching and professional guidance
• Digital security support to protect their work and data
• Psychological support to address stress, trauma, and burnout

In 2025 alone, Araminta’s Activist Nest hosted 23 activists in need of rest, respite, or protection.

Supporting Ukrainian Activists Since 2022

Araminta’s Activist Nest began in May 2022 as a Ukraine-focused pop-up project. It was created in response to the urgent needs of the Ukrainian human rights movement during a time of crisis.

Since then, the Nest has:

• Organized community-building activities for Ukrainian activists in Berlin
• Hosted short-term residencies for activists from Ukraine
• Built a trusted support network for those working under pressure

Between 2022 and 2025, the Nest supported over 20 Ukrainian residents, including human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists. These residents have been actively engaged in war crimes documentation, humanitarian assistance, support for trauma-affected children and adolescents and local community initiatives and crisis response

A Growing Network for At-Risk Activists

Araminta’s Activist Nest continues to grow as a trusted space for activists seeking safety, connection, and support in Berlin. By combining practical resources with a strong community, the Nest helps activists sustain their work while protecting their wellbeing.

Find more information about the Activist Nest Berlin.

Rapid Response and Emergency Relocation

for Human Rights Defenders

Fast, flexible protection for activists at risk across Europe

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Araminta has significantly expanded its rapid-response work to protect human rights defenders (HRDs) and LGBTIQ+ activists across the region. Building on earlier initiatives, Araminta developed a flexible support mechanism that responds quickly when activists face immediate threats.

Emergency Support for At-Risk Activists

This rapid-response system provides targeted, practical support when it matters most. It includes:

• Emergency grants for urgent needs such as safe accommodation
• Legal aid for activists facing persecution or legal risks
• Secure transport to enable safe movement across borders
• Temporary relocation opportunities across Europe

Relocations are coordinated in cooperation with trusted civil society partners, ensuring safe and reliable support networks. Between 2022 and 2025, hundreds of human rights defenders have been supported through this system. This includes activists fleeing political persecution, forced displacement, anti-gender policies or authoritarian crackdowns

A Fast and Holistic Protection Mechanism

Araminta’s rapid-response approach is built to be:

• Fast – immediate support in critical situations
• Flexible – tailored to each activist’s needs
• Holistic – addressing both safety and long-term wellbeing

Beyond emergency protection, the program also helps activists continue their advocacy work from a place of safety and stability.

Strengthening Policy and Advocacy at EU Level

Insights from this work directly inform Araminta’s advocacy at the European level. This includes ongoing efforts to advance a dedicated EU Directive on Mobility and Protection for Human Rights Defenders, aimed at creating stronger, more consistent protection systems across Europe.

By combining direct support with policy action, Araminta helps protect activists today while shaping safer conditions for the future.