In a year marked by escalating attacks on civil society and a sharp rise in demand for protection, Open Briefing supported activists and organisations at risk across 68 countries. Our 2025 Impact Report reflects on a defining year of grief and solidarity, sharing evidence of real impact, collaboration across movements and regions, and why safety and resilience are now foundational to social change.
Tag: holistic security
Supporting Indigenous and grassroots defenders at COP do Povo
At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Open Briefing supported activists, Indigenous leaders, and grassroots partners to stay safe, resilient, and visible within COP do Povo - a powerful, people-led alternative space rooted in collective protection and lived experience.
Strengthening local protection networks in Indonesia: reflections from a year of partnership
Through our partnership with the Tifa Foundation and the JPLKI, we supported a locally led protection ecosystem in Indonesia—strengthening networks, building shared capacity, and expanding access to holistic security for defenders at risk. Read our blog to find out more.
Tailored protection in a fast-changing environment
Threats against defenders in Burundi can shift quickly, leaving little room for safe decision-making. Open Briefing’s safety and security specialists worked closely with our wellbeing team to provide tailored, responsive support as this defender navigated a fast-changing environment. Read the full story in our new anonymised case study.
Navigate the support available in an emergency with our new Protection Ecosystem Map
Human rights defenders and other civic actors at risk can struggle to identify and access the support that they need in an emergency. The Protection Ecosystem Map developed by Open Briefing helps both those at risk and other organisations in the ecosystem navigate the protection mechanisms, security grants, and other support that may be available.
v2.0 of the Defender’s Protocol is available now in 21 languages plus a new online handbook!
Open Briefing has today published an updated version of the Holistic Security Protocol for Human Rights Defenders. The new version of the Defender’s Protocol is available now in 21 languages. We have also published a Handbook to accompany the Defender’s Protocol. This offers extensive guidance, exercises and templates to help defenders implement the 21 holistic security measures in the Protocol and adapt them to their situation, work, and profile.
Holistic security support
Open Briefing can provide funded holistic security support to rights-based civil society organisations, collectives and defenders working in the global south that cannot otherwise fund this support.
New! The Holistic Security Helpline
At-risk defenders can now book a free one-hour phone consultation with one of our team. Users can request a consultation to discuss a safety and security, digital security or wellbeing and resilience concern. As well as advice, our consultants can signpost them to resources or refer on to our clinics or intensive support.