Human rights funders should recognize the importance of innovation, experimentation, and creativity in driving social change. This requires moving beyond our comfort zones to build new capacities and fund emerging groups and evolving strategies. At the same time, we are mindful that the drive for innovation can discard time-honored and effective practices. We should therefore complement our openness to new approaches with ongoing commitment to tried and true strategies.

Recognizing that systemic change requires a long-term commitment, we should adjust our timelines and expectations for impact accordingly and be mindful that, in some contexts, human rights work means holding one’s ground and preventing changes that erode human rights. We should foster a culture of learning and speak honestly about failures, unexpected outcomes, and mistakes. We must also create space for open and candid conversations with our grantees to build a community of practice that makes us all more effective in advancing human rights.

Write us at principlesproject@hrfn.org to recommend additional resources.