What does the erosion of anti-trafficking funding reveal about shifting state priorities, the role of civil society in governance, and the fragility of international commitments to combat human trafficking?
La Strada International, in collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University, is hosting a webinar to examine the growing crisis of anti-trafficking funding in a shifting political landscape.
Date: 19th May 2025
Time: Monday 13:00 – 14.30 CET
Where: Online – registration form
Over the past two decades, the global anti-trafficking work has been funded by a combination of governmental, intergovernmental, and private funding streams. Recent political shifts – most notably the election of Donald Trump – have drastically altered the funding landscape, leading to significant reductions in financial support for anti-trafficking actors including NGOs. These cuts not only represent a financial crisis but also appear to signal and align with a broader ideological shift in how governments approach migration, exploitation, and transnational crime.
The defunding of anti-trafficking organisations in Europe is not merely a logistical challenge but a structural transformation that risks reversing hard-won progress in victim support, policy advocacy, and prevention efforts. The withdrawal of U.S. funding, compounded by increasing restrictions on civil society space in parts of Europe, threatens to redefine the landscape of anti-trafficking governance and practice.
Key Discussion Points:
- Structural Consequences of Funding Cuts: The loss of funding is not simply a budgeting issue – it signals a fundamental shift in state-civil society relations. By defunding NGOs, governments are consolidating control over anti-trafficking narratives, potentially prioritising securitised responses over victim-centred interventions.
- Geopolitical Ramifications: The U.S. aid freeze has had a domino effect, influencing funding priorities within the European Union and exacerbating tensions between states and NGOs. What does this mean for the future of transnational cooperation in combating human trafficking?
- Resilience and Adaptation: While some organisations are forced to close programs, others are finding ways to adapt – through crowdfunding, social enterprise models, and policy advocacy for increased EU-level support. What lessons can be learned from these efforts?
Agenda and Speakers
Moderators:
Kiril Sharapov (Edinburgh Napier University) & Suzanne Hoff (La Strada International)
13:00 – 13:10 | Opening Remarks
Introduction to the topic and framing of the discussion.
13:10 – 13:20 | Annie Hillar, Executive Director, Gender Funders CoLab
Insights into global funding shifts and gender-focused anti-trafficking efforts.
13:20 – 13:30 | Isotta Rossoni, PhD Researcher, VVI Institute for Law, Governance and Society, Leiden University
Presentation on research and policy intersections in anti-trafficking funding.
13:30 – 14:00 | In Conversation Panel Discussion
Discussion on practical challenges, regional impacts, and adaptive strategies.
- Olga DiPretoro, Technical Advisor for Counter-Trafficking, Winrock International
- Julia Macher, CEO, Freedom Collaborative Inc.
- Marija Andjelkovic, Director, ASTRA Anti-Trafficking Action, Serbia
14:00 – 14:20 | Q&A Session
Interactive discussion with participants.
14:20 – 14:30 | Closing Remarks & Recommendations
Key takeaways and ways forward in sustaining anti-trafficking efforts.
More information available in the webinar flyer!
Register here!