TOR for conducting a baseline survey and situation analysis on the development environment and capacity needs of grassroots based organisations in Kenya.
KIOS is seeking a Grant Manager
Please note that the application is closed.
TOR for conducting a baseline survey and situation analysis on the development environment and capacity needs of grassroots based organisations in Kenya.
Please note that the application is closed.
KIOS Board of Directors for the year 2023 has been appointed. Ms. Auli Starcks continues as Chair of the Board …
The KIOS Foundation stands in solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) persons across the globe. We are proud to fund activists fighting for LGBTIQ+ rights in East Africa and South Asia.
Please note that the application is closed.
The KIOS Annual Report 2021 shows how activists managed to continue their human rights work, even in the situation where Covid-19 pandemic was still ongoing. Last year, KIOS funded 41 human rights projects of programmes in East Africa and South Asia.
Watch the recording of the conversation between Phyllis Omido and Iiris Lais from the World Village festival!
The elections to be held next week have already increased the amount of fake news spreading online. Kenya has often seen violence after the election results. The organisation that reports on election violence says that it is especially concerned about the violence directed at the demonstrators by the police.
The decriminalization of homosexuality has and would affect the position of the LGBTIQ+ community in Finland and around the world. Two activists from Finland and Kenya tell us how.
The seminar organised by the KIOS Foundation and the Siemenpuu Foundation discussed, among other things, green colonialism, the rights of indigenous peoples and the safety of activists.
Welcome to the international seminar organised by KIOS and the Siemenpuu Foundation on Tuesday 31.5.2022 in Helsinki and online.
KIOS is opening a call for human rights grant proposals for organisations in Nepal. The focus is on gender equality, non-discrimination and the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Smaller organisations with limited funding opportunities are encouraged to apply.
The Kenyan environmental human rights defender Phyllis Omido comes to Finland for the World Village Festival in Helsinki in May. …
Too often authoritarian states are denying human rights organisations entry to UN debates. KIOS has joined a global campaign that calls for states to take civil society participation seriously when they vote for new members to the UN body that controls NGO accreditations.
Without an identity card, it is difficult to get a formal job in Kenya, for example. An NGO called Haki na Sheria helps the double registered and is happy with the great result.
KIOS has a new Board for 2022. Auli Starck was appointed as the chair of the Board and Mariko Sato was appointed as the vice-chair. Both have a strong experience in development issues.
KIOS warmly welcomes our new staff members Kati Ruskola, Julia Koskinen, Nora Luoma and Lotta Jokinen. Ms. Kati Ruskola started …
An irrigation project to help fight poverty in Uganda has led to conflicts between the authorities and the locals. The …
KIOS Annual Report 2020 shows how activists managed to continue their human rights work, even in the midst of a pandemic. Last year, KIOS funded 40 human rights projects of programs in East Africa and South Asia.
Watch the recording of Mr. Maina Kiai’s talk at the World Village Festival! Former UN Special Rapporteur Mr. Maina Kiai …
Has the Era of Human Rights Passed? Kenyan human rights defender and former UN Special Rapporteur Mr. Maina Kiai talks …
KIOS Board of Directors for the year 2021 has been appointed. Ms. Nora Luoma acts as new chair of the …
This year, the world celebrated Pride in exceptional circumstances. We wanted to share stories of brave LGBTIQ+ activists in East …
KIOS-supported organization CJGEA has received a significant legal victory in Kenya. The court ordered the equivalent of 10M euros in …
The national lockdown in Nepal has caused an immense downfall in people’s livelihoods. The Dalit community is one of the …
The annual report for 2019 of the KIOS Foundation presents our achievements from last year. In many countries, 2019 was …
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading across the world and affecting all of us, KIOS is working to see how we can best support our partners in a flexible way and weather this crisis together.
KIOS has been preparing for the coronavirus outbreak in Finland by deciding to do remote work as much as possible. …
In our new video series Defending rights six brave women human rights defenders share their stories and tell about their work towards justice and equality.
Former UN Special Rapporteur, Kenyan lawyer and human rights activist Maina Kiai argues that Nordic countries must take a lead in expanding civic space and standing up for human rights defenders.
In Pakistan, the children in prisons are a forgotten population. One day the Child Rights Unit (CRU) of the Dastak Charitable Trust decided to do something that had never been done in any prison in Pakistan: to bring a popular band to play for the children in prison.
Abilis, KIOS and Siemenpuu are looking for program evaluators for a joint foundation evaluation. The evaluation will feed into the …
Since the 1970s, the human rights situation has improved in many countries, but not everywhere. Every country has its own human rights challenges. To face these challenges, the role of human rights defenders (HRDs) is crucial, writes Mary Lawlor.
In Pakistan, all human rights defenders face severe risks, but women human rights defenders even more so. They need security measures and plans and a network of allies who can help them in times of crisis. Little things can save a life.
Brave women from around the world visited Helsinki at the end of August to share their experiences in being human rights defenders. They also offered their advice on how Finland and the EU could support human rights defenders more effectively.
Since the political crisis in Burundi started in 2015, most human rights defenders have been forced to flee the country to avoid persecution. With the help of DefendDefenders, Burundian defenders in exile have pushed the UN to investigate violations in Burundi.
Helsinki Pride Week was attended by Kenyan LGBTIQ+ activist Njeri Gateru as a guest of KIOS. She works to decriminalize homosexuality in Kenya.
What is life like for sexual minorities in a country that can impose a maximum sentence of 14 years for …
The world came to visit at the World Village Festival KIOS participated at the World Village Festival and shared …
Mr. Kim Remitz will continue leading the human rights work at the KIOS Foundation as permanent Executive Director. Kim has …
Which human rights issues will be the most pressing ones in the near future? How should Finland promote human rights …
KIOS’ new publication “From little things big things grow” invites you to join in our celebration of the 20th anniversary …
The new KIOS board of directors is full of human rights and development expertise. The new KIOS board of Directors …
Corporate accountability is one of the most powerful litmus tests of corporate and governmental willingness to direct markets to the common good and shared prosperity. At present, the litmus paper is showing a corrosive lack of attention, writes Phil Bloomer, Executive Director of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre.
Kim Remitz will lead the human rights work at KIOS from the beginning of October as KIOS acting Executive Director …
KIOS partner KISORA in the spotlight. Kisumu at the center of human rights development The new governance structures …
KIOS office will be closed during the last two weeks of July (from the 16th to 27th July). The office …
KIOS partner UCCA in the spotlight. Popularizing Corporate Social Responsibility as a Social License to Operate in Uganda: What …
Come to listen, how corporate accountability work contributes to the building of a more just world. KIOS organizes a panel …
KIOS partner Childspace in the spotlight. Proud of our culture and language – ending the cycle of poverty with education. …
KIOS partner LOSAUK in the spotlight. Our eyes – our movement: Challenges and achievements of LOSAUK and the hijra, transgender, …
The KIOS call for proposals has opened on the 14th February. The deadline for reception of the applications is 20th …
KIOS Executive Director Ulla Anttila will take research leave from the beginning of February. Terhi Aaltonen will take on from …
Note! Call for proposals has been posponed till later date in February. Please follow KIOS webpage for updates. KIOS …
Center for Health, Human Rights and Development CEHURD is a Ugandan organization founded in 2007 working on issues related to …
Batwa and Bambuti are the indigenous Pygmy groups living in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Batwa and Bambuti are often …
KIOS Spring Seminar CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS Time: Tuesday, MAY 16 th 2017, at 8:15–15:45 Place: Kuntatalo, Toinen Linja …
Beading tradition, female genital mutilation and early marriages are intertwined in Samburu communities. KIOS partner organisation Samburu Women Trust (SWT) …
The founding organizations of KIOS Foundation elected new KIOS Board of Directors for the next two years. The newly elected …
The space of civil society has been diminishing in many East African countries and defending human rights has become even …
Andrew Anderson was elected as Front Line Defenders’ new Executive Director this fall and he started with the new post …
Award winning and widely respected human rights defender Ms. Hina Jilani was elected as the new president of the World …
Human rights organization DCHD in Pakistan has made a research, funded by KIOS foundation, which shows that women human rights …
The Government of Burundi has suspended the work of five Burundian organizations. The ordinance was signed by the Interior Ministry …
Toolkit by International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) aims to foster positive engagement between human rights defenders and business. ISHR …
A key human rights NGO, Odhikar, was subject to accusations of money laundering by the authorities of Bangladesh. The NGO …
Funds collected in Voluntary Work Day Campaign are being channeled for three local schools in Nepal. In cooperation with KIOS …
KIOS participated in the annual World Village festival in the Market of Possibilities Tent. Among other things, we presented a …
Burundi has undergone a year of violent crisis. So far no end have been seen for grave human rights violations. …
Burundi is in danger of facing another civil war. The crisis began as the country’s president clung on power. KIOS’ …
Awarded Honduran human rights defender Berta Cáceres has been murdered. Cáceres was one of the leading opposing figures of the …
The former president of Finland, Tarja Halonen, emphasized the importance of civil society in the launch event of the KIOS …
KIOS publishes its seminar report on February 16th. The launch event is titled Closing Space – The Growing Global Challenges …
The government of Burundi has suspended the activities of ten non-governmental organizations in the country, including six major human rights …
Burundi has fallen into a domestic political chaos over the past year after the current President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his …
Maailma.net writes about the challenges of human rights defenders, interviewing bangladeshi human rights defender Adilur Rahman Khan. Read the story …
KIOS congratulates Ugandan Kasha Jacqueline Nabasegera, who has received the Right Livelihood Award for persistent work for the rights of …
The Government of Finland cuts the development cooperation funds received by KIOS with 41% in the beginning of 2016. As …
Kenyan TV channel KTN (Kenya Television Network) has produced a documentary film on human rights work directed by Phyllis Omido. …
The Government of Finland is planning to cut the development cooperation funds with 41 % in the beginning of 2016. …
The new government of Finland has planned to cut 300 million euros from the development cooperation budget of the Ministry …
Tasi Lama, the director of KIOS’ partner organisation in Kenya, visited Helsinki in January. In connection to his visit Maailma.net, …
Two human rights defenders visiting KIOS’ Autumn Seminar 2014 were interviewed on human rights work conducted by civil society. The interview was done by YLE, a Finnish broadcasting Company
United Nations Commission on Human Rights is evaluating Burundi’s situation in regard of civil and political rights. Burundi is one …
KIOS office is saddened to share the news of the passing of Kenyan human rights activist, Mr. Odindo Opiata. Opiata, …
KIOS is happy to share the news that Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan, a leading human rights lawyer from Bangladesh, has …
The Finnish NGO Foundation for Human Rights KIOS organizes an event on the promotion of the rights of people with …
Dr. Ulla Anttila has been appointed Executive Director of the Finnish NGO Foundation for Human Rights KIOS. She has been …
KIOS has released a seminar publication regarding the right food. The seminar IMPLEMENTING HUMAN RIGHTS BASED APPROACH: The Case of …
Conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo often feature brutal and systematic violence against women and children. In despite of legislative renovations the authorities’ ignorance, as well as the culture of impunity, are maintaining the spiral of violence.
KIOS has published a study called “KIOS-funded projects and development in human rights – results from post-evaluation questionnaires”.
Gerald Kankya, Programme Coordinator and a founding member of Twerwaneho Listeners Club (TLC), has won the 2012 European Union Human Rights Defender (HRD) Award in Uganda.
KIOS office has moved to new premises. From 27 February 2012 onward our new address is: Lintulahdenkatu 10, 00500 Helsinki …
The KIOS Partners’ regional conference jointly organised by EHAHRDP and the Finnish NGO Foundation for Human Rights (KIOS) brought together KIOS partners from six focus countries in Eastern Africa.
Securing the security of human rights defenders is one of the biggest challenges of human rights work. The work of human rights defenders has always been challenging in Pakistan, but recently the situation has deteriorated.
Along with many other organizations, KIOS participated at World Village Festival 28.—29.5.2011.
KIOS’ new strategy for 2011—2015 was approved by KIOS’ Board meeting 16th December 2010 and entered into force from the …
Founding organizations have appointed KIOS’ Board for 2011. Chairman: Anne Romar, Kepa Vice-Chairman: Jani Seikkula, Finnish Refugee Council Board Members 2011 Jussi …
KIOS – Youth Alive! Kenya Partnership Programme has been a success from the point of view of its stakeholders: KIOS, YAK and the participating groups, points out an evaluation carried out recently. The evaluation recommends that KIOS and YAK continue implementing the Programme also in the future.
KIOS office wishes you Happy Holidays and Successful New Year 2011!
Since 2008, KIOS has supported NAWOU in seeking to promote women’s rights in Uganda. NAWOU’s projects have increased the knowledge of human rights, women’s participation in decision-making, and their leadership skills.
Women and women human rights defenders are widely discriminated against in Nepal, even by male human rights defenders. Since 2006, KIOS’ project partner WOREC has with KIOS’ support improved the status of women human rights defenders and women’s rights in general.
For the strategic period 2011 – 2015 KIOS focuses its funding to its focus countries in Eastern Africa and South …
Human rights defenders in Eastern Africa face intimidation, illegal arrests, unfair trials, torture and disappearances. Many are forced to leave their country as refugees.
Youth Alive! Kenya and KIOS have rolled out a new partnership programme that aims to identify and support community based human rights groups to harness their full potential and become key human rights actors in their region and ultimately nationally.
Communities and their rules affect Maasai women’s life much more than Kenyan legislation. The communities follow patriarchal traditions, due to which women are not expected to participate in community decision-making.
KIOS participated at the World Village Festival 23rd to 24th May 2009 in Helsinki, Finland. This year KIOS’ exhibited a …
The Summary highlights the most important activities of the foundation in 2008, including information on project funding, project monitoring and organisational development work.
The eleven founder organisations of KIOS have nominated their representatives to the KIOS Executive Board for the year 2009. The newly appointed Executive Board had its first meeting of the year on 28 January 2009.
Project Coordinators Kristiina Vainio and Ylva Sjöblom from KIOS visited India and Nepal from 22 November to 11 December 2008.
In Kenya, politically motivated torture exists especially in police cells and prisons. The victims of torture are often poor or unemployed, and because of their status, unable to demand for their rights.
KIOS Director Elisa Mikkola and Project Coordinator Sari Naskinen visited Kenya and Tanzania 18 November – 3 December 2008.
KIOS celebrated its 10-year anniversary on 12th December in Helsinki. Anniversary was celebrated by all three foundations funding civil societies’ projects in developing countries.
Women’s Rehabilitation Center Nepal (WOREC) is a non-governmental organization combatting HIV/AIDS and trafficking in human beings, and promoting the rights of women and children. WOREC seeks to strengthen the actors at grassroots level as well as affect legal and political reforms.
The status of young people has always been weak in Kenya, even though majority of the population is under-aged. Youth Alive! Kenya is an organization for young people, providing children and adolescents an opportunity to improve their quality of life.
Economic and Social Rights Centre Hakijamii is one of the few organizations in Kenya promoting economic and social rights. Hakijamii aims to promote the rights of slums’ inhabitants in Nairobi and Kisumu among others by training, campaigning and doing information work.
National Association of Women Organisations in Uganda (NAWOU) is one of the biggest women organisations in Uganda. NAWOU has had an important role in drafting the new Ugandan constitution, which takes account of gender equality remarkably well. KIOS met NAWOU’s executive director Peace T. Kyamureku, who is one of the most known human rights defenders in Uganda.
Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is an Asian network of human rights organizations promoting democratization of Asia among others by conducting election observations, campaigning and research. KIOS met Thai Somsri Hananuntasuk, who has worked for ANFREL for over ten years. Ms. Hananuntasuk described her work as an election observer.
Democracy cannot be dictated from the outside – it is a long process that needs to originate from the grassroots. This was stated in the 10-year anniversary seminar hosted by KIOS on 21st to 22nd October 2008.
KIOS participated for the second time in World Village Festival in Helsinki 24th to 25th May 2008. At the festival …
Executive Director Ms. Elisa Mikkola and Project coordinator Ms. Sari Naskinen from KIOS visited Uganda and Ethiopia for two weeks in April-May 2008.
KIOS has published the English Summary of its Annual Report 2007. The Summary highlights the most important activities of the foundation in 2007, including information on project funding, project monitoring and organisational development work.
The eleven founder organisations of KIOS have nominated their representatives to the KIOS Executive Board for the year 2008. The …
For 2007-2008 KIOS prioritizes applications coming from the following countries in Eastern Africa and South Asia: Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Kenya, …
Children’s rights, especially their right to education, were widely violated during the armed conflict between Maoist insurgents and security forces in Nepal in 1996—2006. Schools were used as base camps, destroyed or closed for long periods of time, and young students were recruited into insurgent forces.
In 2006, Palestinian Jerusalemite Nasser applied for a family reunification permit from the Israeli Ministry of the Interior. A few months after submitting the application, Nasser and his wife, who holds a West Bank ID card, were stopped in East Jerusalem by Israeli police.
Authorities in charge of security are widely using torture in Uganda. Government officials have admitted the use of torture, despite international conventions against torture. KIOS’ supported ACTV works both with victims of torture and with authorities using torture in order to prevent its use. ACTV has reached visible results through its work.
The Executive Board and the Staff of KIOS Wish You Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2008!
KIOS organized a seminar and workshop on human rights based approach to development in Helsinki in the end of September. The seminar day included presentations on the human rights based approach in comparison with needs based development work.
