Hivos (Kenya)

Hivos is an international organisation that seeks new solutions to persistent global issues. With smart projects in the right places, we oppose discrimination, inequality, abuse of power and the unsustainable use of our planet’s resources. Counterbalance alone, however, is not enough. Our primary focus is achieving structural change. This is why we cooperate with innovative businesses, citizens and their organisations. We share a dream with them of sustainable economies and inclusive societies.

We believe that every human being has the right to live in freedom and dignity. You can be who you are, whether you are male, female, gay, straight, or anything in between. Moreover, you should have the freedom to believe and say what you want, to challenge governments and stir up the established order. Your freedom only ends where another person’s freedom begins, and of course where the earth imposes her limits. The depletion of natural resources, loss of biodiversity and climate change already have major implications for the most vulnerable inhabitants of our planet. They, and future generations, are entitled to a truly sustainable world.

For almost two decades in East Africa, Hivos has partnered with visionaries, individuals and frontrunners to achieve social change. Together, our efforts have given impetus to the birth of a human rights movement that is grounded on establishing just, inclusive and life sustaining societies where people have equal access to opportunities, rights and resources. While our accomplishments are many, each year has presented new challenges that have made us aspire to do even better.
Through smart, bold and daring projects we are constantly honing our strategy by partnering with rightsholders and like-minded partners to champion projects that address the following pressing challenges in East Africa:

• Impacts of climate change
• Decreasing democratic space
• Growing socio-economic inequality
• Sexual minorities attacked from all sides
• Women’s right to bodily autonomy under threat