Project Duration: April 2023 – June 2024 

Location: Ethiopia 

Implementing Organization: Biruh Addis Charity Organization 

Funding Partners: Freedom Fund

1. Project Background and Rationale

The Survivors Lead Organization (SLO) is a pioneering initiative established to empower survivors of human trafficking, modern slavery, and exploitation by providing them with leadership opportunities and support networks. The organization is rooted in the belief that survivors, having first-hand experiences of exploitation, are uniquely qualified to lead advocacy efforts, support fellow survivors, and drive policy changes that directly impact their communities. SLO aims to transform survivors from being seen as victims into leaders and agents of change in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation.

2. Objectives of the SLO Project

The SLO project has the following key objectives:

1. Empower Survivors as Leaders: Equip survivors with the skills and platforms necessary to become leaders, advocates, and change-makers in anti-trafficking efforts.
2. Strengthen Survivor-Led Advocacy: Foster survivor-led advocacy by supporting initiatives that amplify their voices in policy-making, community education, and awareness campaigns.
3. Build Survivor Support Networks: Establish and strengthen support networks that provide emotional, social, and economic support to survivors, ensuring they are not only heard but also supported in their leadership journeys.
4. Promote Safe Migration and Prevention Efforts: Engage survivors in public awareness and education initiatives that promote safe migration practices and prevent exploitation in vulnerable communities.
5. Facilitate Economic Empowerment and Reintegration: Provide survivors with opportunities for skill development, employment, and entrepreneurship, aiding their long-term reintegration and self-sufficiency.
6. Key Components and Activities

The SLO project includes a range of activities designed to achieve its objectives:

• Leadership Training and Capacity Building: Conduct intensive training programs to develop survivors’ leadership, advocacy, and public speaking skills. These trainings cover topics such as human rights, community organizing, and effective communication.
• Survivor-Led Advocacy Campaigns: Support survivors in leading advocacy campaigns that raise awareness of human trafficking issues, influence public policy, and engage community members in prevention efforts.
• Establishment of Survivor Support Groups: Create survivor-led peer support groups that offer safe spaces for sharing experiences, mutual support, and collaborative advocacy planning.
• Economic Empowerment Initiatives: Offer vocational training, financial literacy education, access to small business grants, and job placement services to enhance survivors’ economic independence.
• Community Awareness and Education: Develop and implement educational programs in schools, communities, and workplaces, led by survivors, to educate the public on the dangers of trafficking and promote protective measures.
• Policy Dialogue and Consultation: Facilitate platforms where survivors can engage directly with policymakers, ensuring their insights and recommendations are integrated into anti-trafficking legislation and programs.

4. Expected Outcomes and Impact

The SLO project aims to achieve the following outcomes

• Enhanced Survivor Leadership and Advocacy: Survivors will be empowered to take on leadership roles, actively participating in community and national-level advocacy efforts.
• Increased Survivor Support and Solidarity: Strengthened survivor networks will provide crucial emotional and social support, enhancing the overall well-being and resilience of participants.
• Policy Influence and Change: Survivor-led advocacy will result in more inclusive and survivor-centered policies, contributing to a more effective national response to human trafficking and exploitation.
• Greater Public Awareness and Prevention: Communities will be better informed about human trafficking risks and prevention strategies, thanks to survivor-led education and outreach initiatives.
• Economic Empowerment and Reintegration: Survivors will gain access to economic opportunities that support their long-term reintegration, reducing the risk of re-exploitation.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

The project incorporates a comprehensive MEL framework to track progress, assess impact, and ensure accountability. Key performance indicators will measure survivor participation, leadership outcomes, policy influence, and economic empowerment achievements. Continuous feedback from survivors will guide project adjustments and improvements.

6. Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

The SLO project anticipates several challenges, including:

• Stigma and Marginalization: Survivors often face stigma that can hinder their full participation. To mitigate this, the project includes community sensitization efforts aimed at changing negative perceptions.
• Resource Constraints: Limited funding and resources may pose challenges to some initiatives. The project will actively pursue partnerships and external funding opportunities to expand its impact.
• Psychosocial Support Needs: Survivors’ experiences of trauma necessitate ongoing psychosocial support. The project will provide access to trained counselors and mental health services as part of its support network.

Generally, the Survivors Lead Organization (SLO) project represents a bold and innovative approach to anti-trafficking efforts in Ethiopia, centering the leadership and voices of survivors as key drivers of change. By empowering survivors as leaders, supporting their reintegration, and amplifying their advocacy, SLO aims to create a sustainable and survivor-led movement that transforms the landscape of human trafficking prevention and response. This project not only empowers survivors but also creates a ripple effect of change, influencing communities, policies, and systems in the fight against exploitation.