Working in Partnership

Anti-Slavery International recognises that the most effective efforts to combat slavery are rooted in local initiatives.  Developing partnerships with local organisations is therefore a fundamental part of our work.

Anti-Slavery International’s work with partner organisations takes many forms, such as  campaigning together for policies and programmes which would help eradicate slavery and undertaking joint research projects.

In Niger, Anti-Slavery International has worked for several years with our local partner, Timidria.  This has included undertaking research into slavery and campaigning for a law against slavery which were approved in 2003.  Since then we have supported Timidria in bringing the first successful prosecution under the new law in 2006 and in taking a case to Economic Community of West African States’ Court of Justice in 2008 to try and get the Government of Niger to implement the law more effectively.

Anti-Slavery International also works to build networks of organisations to fight slavery.  In India, Nepal and Pakistan we support the development of local, national and regional networks to fight bonded labour. We have also brought together organisations from around the world to share their experiences and examples of good practice in relation to child domestic worker issues.  In Europe and Africa we have helped develop national and regional networks to campaign against trafficking in people.
 
Anti-Slavery International also seeks to build the capacity and sustainability of partner organisations so that they are better able to represent their views directly to those in positions of power and are more effective in their work to combat slavery.
 
One way in which we have done this is through our Small Grants Scheme which awarded 30 grants between 2004 and 2008.  Most of these grants were for between £5,000 and £10,000. Partner organisations used the funds in a variety of ways including to support research, training, advocacy and staff costs. The grants have helped many of these organisations to improve their administrative systems, expand the services they provide to victims of slavery, and increase their influence with decision makers and their ability to effectively campaign for change.