The Freedom Fund

09/06/2026

In Uganda’s Napak district, drought and food insecurity have long driven families to send children to beg in Kampala or work in unregulated mines.

Only 37% of children attend school regularly, leaving many more vulnerable to traffickers.

Grassroots Alliance for Rural Development (GARD) is changing that by helping households build resilience through climate‑smart farming and village savings groups.

As families grow food and save through lean seasons, fewer children are sent away and more stay in school.

Across Uganda, this is just one example of the 3,627 lives we’ve impacted with our partners.

Read more about our impact here: https://www.freedomfund.org/impact/impact-report-2025-2026/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

04/06/2026

A major step forward for Harawa‑Charawa communities in Nepal.

For the first time, the government of Madhesh Province has formally committed to fully liberate Harawa‑Charawa communities and ensure their rights to land, social security, economic rehabilitation and dignified access to agricultural livelihoods.

Here’s what the policy says:

“A policy will be adopted to fully liberate the Harawa‑Charawa community and ensure their rights to land, social security, and economic rehabilitation while establishing dignified access to agricultural livelihoods and enterprises.” (Source: Policy and Program of Madhesh Province, 2026)

This recognition did not happen overnight. It reflects decades of organising, advocacy and persistence by Harawa‑Charawa community members and the advocates who have stood alongside them. Their leadership has been the driving force behind this progress.

For years, the Freedom Fund and our partners have supported community groups across Madhesh Province to strengthen collective action and push for long‑overdue reforms. Today’s commitment is an important milestone and a testament to what sustained, community‑led organising can achieve.

But the work is not over. Real change will depend on adequate budgets, clear implementation plans and meaningful action that reaches members of the Harawa‑Charawa community in their homes and workplaces.

We remain committed to standing alongside Harawa‑Charawa leaders as they continue pushing for their rights, protections and opportunities.

Learn more about our work in Nepal here: https://www.freedomfund.org/hotspot/nepal/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

03/06/2026

Marta was trapped in domestic servitude in the Middle East after migrating through informal channels under the false promise of fair wages.

She faced excessive hours, restricted movement and non‑payment.

Upon returning to Ethiopia, she was referred to AgarEthiopia2005, where she received immediate shelter, medical care and specialised psychosocial support. Following counselling and legal guidance, she was formally identified as a trafficking survivor.

Agar supported her in pursuing an administrative claim for her stolen wages, and her case strengthened coordination between service providers and government institutions. Marta now mentors other returnees, using her story to highlight the dangers of irregular recruitment and the importance of survivor rights.

In our hotspot working to prevent irregular migration and trafficking in Ethiopia, this is just one example of the 205,011 lives we’ve impacted, alongside our partners.

Find out more about our impact here: https://www.freedomfund.org/impact/impact-report-2025-2026/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

This program is funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State.

02/06/2026

To date, the Freedom Fund has impacted 1.78 million lives and helped 12 million people build resistance to exploitation.

Today, nearly half of our frontline partners are survivor‑led and the majority are women‑led. Their leadership reflects our commitment to shifting power and resources to those closest to the issue.

Together with our partners, since 2014 we have:

⚖️ Assisted more than 8,397 legal cases
🎒 Helped 241,000 at‑risk children return to school
🕊️ Liberated 37,026 individuals
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Supported 1.2 million people to access social and legal services
📃 Contributed to the enactment of 371 policies

Behind each of these numbers are real people: families rebuilding, survivors leading change, communities organising.

Our new brand film sets out why this work matters, the systems we are dismantling, and the community‑led solutions driving progress.

Find out more about our impact here: https://www.freedomfund.org/impact/impact-report-2025-2026/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

29/05/2026

It’s estimated that more than 50 million people are living in modern slavery globally, including nearly 28 million in forced labour. These are the people producing the food, clothing and technology we rely on every day.

Alongside more than 100 organisations, investors, unions and survivor advocates, we are calling for stronger modern slavery laws in Australia.

Across our hotspots and global programs, we support partners who push for policies that protect workers and strengthen accountability. Our work on responsible supply chains supports partners around the world, including Australia, to advocate for stronger laws to combat forced labor in global supply chains.

The open letter calls on the Federal Government to urgently strengthen Australia’s Modern Slavery Act, three years after an independent review found it had “not yet caused meaningful change” for people impacted by modern slavery.

The signatories urge the Albanese Government to introduce due diligence requirements for large companies operating in Australia. These reforms would shift corporate efforts from reporting alone to taking real action to address modern slavery.

We stand with our partners, survivor leaders and allies working to create meaningful change.

Read the open letter:

Australia’s Modern Slavery Act is under renewed scrutiny as investors, unions, survivor advocates and civil society groups call for stronger legislation to improve corporate accountability and protect people from exploitation.

28/05/2026

For those historically trapped in bonded labour in Nepal, economic security is the foundation of freedom.

Phul Kumara Sada received a small loan and livelihoods training from our partner ActionAid Nepal. She invested in pig rearing, gradually building a reliable income stream. After repaying her loan, she contributed to a revolving fund that enables others to access loans as well.

She used her remaining income to keep her children in school, meet household needs and begin saving. Her experience shows how modest investments, paired with strong community structures, can reduce reliance on exploitative labour relationships and strengthen economic security.

Across Nepal, this is just one example of the 91,583 lives we’ve impacted with our partners.

Find out more about our impact here: https://www.freedomfund.org/impact/impact-report-2025-2026/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

27/05/2026

After losing her father, Halima moved to Dhaka to support her family, where she was forced into s*x work for three years.

In 2023, our partner INCIDIN Bangladesh identified her as a trafficking survivor and began planning her reintegration.

A key barrier to her recovery was the lack of a birth certificate, which blocked access to education, healthcare and social protection. INCIDIN fast‑tracked the process, enabling Halima to enrol in a skills training programme.

Following her training, she secured factory employment and was reunified with her family. She has since obtained a better‑paying job and now volunteers in her community, helping at‑risk children access government services.

Halima’s story is just one example of the 7,709 lives we’ve impacted, alongside our partners, in Bangladesh.

Find out more about our impact here: https://www.freedomfund.org/impact/impact-report-2025-2026/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

This program is funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State.

26/05/2026

We’re proud to share that our film Liberated, but not yet free has been awarded a Bronze Telly Award in the not‑for‑profit category.

The film documents the Harawa‑Charawa communities’ long struggle against agricultural bonded labour in Nepal, and the ongoing work to secure full rehabilitation following the 2022 declaration of liberation. It highlights the leadership of community organisers and the frontline groups driving this movement.

A huge thank you to Filmatory Nepal for the videography, Nicholas Pizzolato for the editing, and our team and partners in Nepal, whose commitment made this film possible and whose work continues to shape lasting change.

Watch the film: https://www.freedomfund.org/news/liberated-but-not-yet-free/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

Visit our page on the Telly Awards website: https://www.tellyawards.com/winners/2026/branded-content/general-not-for-profit/liberated-but-not-yet-free/357551/?mc_cid=91083cacb9&mc_eid=UNIQID

22/05/2026

“We ask for 0.5% of your attention to make sure your food isn’t made with human trafficking.” Hariyanto Suwarno, Chairman of Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia (SBMI)

This week in Washington, D.C., former fishers supported by our partner SBMI shared their experiences of exploitation in the industrial fishing sector. Their testimony highlighted how forced labour and environmental harm continue to shape parts of the global seafood industry, including supply chains linked to the US market.

The fishers spoke at a congressional briefing, as well as at a panel following a screening of 'Before you eat', a documentary produced by SBMI, supported by Greenpeace International, and directed by Kasan Kurdi. The film follows Indonesian migrant fishers who were deceived into working on industrial vessels supplying seafood to major consumer brands worldwide.

At the Freedom Fund we strongly believe that lived experience should guide policy. When those most affected lead the conversation, momentum grows for action that stands the test of time.

We are proud to support partners like SBMI who ensure impacted fishers are not only heard but that their voices shape the solutions.

Watch 'Before you eat' here: https://beforeyoueat.id/en-us

21/05/2026

At 16, Ilana was a survivor of s*xual exploitation living in institutional care with limited prospects for education or employment.

Through specialised training with our partner Instituto Aliança, she got a job, completed her education and built a stable life for herself and her young child.

Her journey shows how targeted support and skills development can help survivors move from vulnerability to independence.

Our partnership‑driven approach has already impacted 34,025 lives in Recife, and Ilana’s story shows why this work matters.

Read our digital impact report through the link in our bio.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of State.