News
The Ongoing Struggle of Tibet: Insights from Political Leader Penpa Tsering on the Human Rights Situation and the Exile Population of Tibet
Civil society actors and friends of Tibet gathered for a discussion during the visit of Tibet’s President Sikyong Penpa Tsering in Finland. KIOS was involved in…
Nearly 400 proposals received for the Rights, Governance, and Accountability Grants under the Haki Ni Yetu project
Thank you for your proposals! We have received nearly 400 proposals, showcasing the incredible interest and commitment to advancing human rights in Kenya.
The KIOS 2022 Annual Report has been published
The KIOS Annual Report 2022 shows that despite the challenges rising conflicts and questioning of the whole human rights systems around the globe, active civil society…
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza requires immediate action – KIOS joins in with over 600 NGOs calling for ceasefire
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is alarming and threatens the realization of people’s human rights. KIOS joins appeals with demands that an immediate ceasefire must be…
Right Livelihood Award to Phyllis Omido from KIOS long-term grantee CJGEA
Phyllis Omido, the founder and Executive Director of our long-standing grantee, the Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA), is one of this year’s Right…
KIOS supports Calls to Free Imprisoned Human Rights Defenders Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan
KIOS expresses solidarity with Odhikar, Khan and Elan and calls for their immediate release. On September 14th, Khan and Elan, members of the Bangladeshi NGO Odhikar,…
Developing the human rights responsibility of development banks
Development banks play a major role in financing development projects in the global south. However, their operation has raised important questions, especially about human rights. In…
KIOS and Siemenpuu join ALLIED Coalition
KIOS and its sister Siemenpuu Foundation recently joined the Alliance for Land, Indigenous and Environmental Defenders ALLIED. ALLIED is an international alliance of organisations, which works…
LGBTIQA+ Activists in the Spotlight during Helsinki Pride Week
During Helsinki Pride Week LGBTIQA+ activists from the Global South will give their own perspectives of the situation in their countries. On Wednesday 28 June activists…
Interview with Winnie Masai at the World Village Festival
Winnie Masai from KIOS’s partner organisation InformAction will be interviewed at the World Village Festival in Helsinki. The programme “From underdogs to a force for change”…
Terms of Reference for a consultancy to conduct a baseline study in Kenya
TOR for conducting a baseline survey and situation analysis on the development environment and capacity needs of grassroots based organisations in Kenya.
New Board of Directors appointed
KIOS Board of Directors for the year 2023 has been appointed. Ms. Auli Starcks continues as Chair of the Board and Mr. Juho Aalto was selected…
Statement: The KIOS Foundation stands with LGBTIQ+ activists
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…
The KIOS 2021 Annual Report has been published
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…
The Environment and Its Defenders in Danger
Watch the recording of the conversation between Phyllis Omido and Iiris Lais from the World Village festival!
Elections in Kenya are being waited with bated breath
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.…
Love is Legal
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…
How do we treat the environment as a human right?
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…
Seminar on Human Rights and the Environment – Environmental Defenders on the Frontline
Welcome to the international seminar organised by KIOS and the Siemenpuu Foundation on Tuesday 31.5.2022 in Helsinki and online.
Open call for grant proposals from Nepal
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…
Phyllis Omido, the “Erin Brockovich of East Africa”, to the World Village Festival in Helsinki
The Kenyan environmental human rights defender Phyllis Omido comes to Finland for the World Village Festival in Helsinki in May. Ms. Omido and will talk about…
KIOS joins campaign calling for the UN to open its doors to NGOs
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…
Kenyan government plans to issue 14 000 national identity cards for the double registered
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…
“It is a great honor to be involved in this important work,” says the new Chair of the Board of KIOS
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…
New faces at the KIOS office
KIOS warmly welcomes our new staff members Kati Ruskola, Julia Koskinen, Nora Luoma and Lotta Jokinen. Ms. Kati Ruskola started as an expert in charge of…
Human Rights Violations in Development Project in Uganda
An irrigation project to help fight poverty in Uganda has led to conflicts between the authorities and the locals. The project, which is supported by the…
KIOS Annual Report 2020 published
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…
Has the Era of Human Rights Passed?
Watch the recording of Mr. Maina Kiai’s talk at the World Village Festival! Former UN Special Rapporteur Mr. Maina Kiai talked about the future of human…
Former UN Special Rapporteur Mr. Maina Kiai at the World Village Festival
Has the Era of Human Rights Passed? Kenyan human rights defender and former UN Special Rapporteur Mr. Maina Kiai talks about the future of human rights…
New Board of Directors appointed
KIOS Board of Directors for the year 2021 has been appointed. Ms. Nora Luoma acts as new chair of the Board and Ms. Auli Starck as…