Our Story

Founded in 2017, Synergía – Initiatives for Human Rights was established with the intention of minimizing costly organizational infrastructure in favor of maximizing the funding we can allocate to programmatic work – including increasing the funding we can provide to our partners.

 

Prior to its creation, the Synergía team first began to form beginning in 2007 – and was originally hosted as a specific program within a number of larger international human rights and international development organizations. Now, as an organization with staff based in the Americas, Africa, and Europe, our team counts on highly experienced and dedicated advocates to advance human rights movements worldwide.

Mission

Synergía is an interregional organization led by activists anchored in queer and feminist movements in different parts of the world. It engages in collaborative movement strengthening and advocacy so that communities disproportionately impacted by social inequality can fully enjoy their human rights and freedoms.

Vision

Synergía envisions a just and equitable world where all individuals live free from discrimination, oppression, and violence, thriving in inclusive societies that uphold and celebrate diversity and human rights.  

Values

We are committed to these core values that define our mission and impact.

Collaborative and Meaningful Engagement
We engage with communities and partners through relationships of long-term build trust that prioritize the needs and goals of grassroots movements in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. We are linguistically inclusive and work in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French.

 

Creativity
We embrace innovative, unconventional solutions, trusting the creative wisdom of groups and fostering South-South learning to amplify impact and challenge discriminatory systems.

 

Authenticity
We act transparently, honestly, and in alignment with our commitments, ensuring that our staff is anchored in local movements and that and our decisions and actions remain accountable to our partners.

 

Flexibility
We stay adaptable to shifting contexts, emerging contexts, and evolving needs, staying responsive to crises while maintaining focus on long-term goals.

 

System Disruption
We acknowledge the effects of colonialism in Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa and the legacy of inequality; we strive to challenge and transform oppressive systems and instead create space for justice, equity, and transformation.

 

Justice
We work to guarantee the rights and freedoms of all people, advocate for human rights standards at the global and regional levels, and engage with the grassroots to ensure that duty-bearers are accountable.

 

Braveness (not Recklessness)
We take bold, calculated risks to advance human rights while supporting communities in developing security strategies to sustain their work in the face of ongoing threats.

 

Intentional Inclusion
We proactively center the voices, experiences, and needs of those most impacted by social inequality, such as trans people, LBQ women, persons with disabilities, and racially marginalized individuals, fostering environments where diversity is not only welcomed but actively valued and integrated into all aspects of the work.

 

Collective Care
We prioritize the well-being of individuals and of communities through shared responsibility, support, and trust. We seek to build and sustain collective care practices that acknowledge the emotional and physical toll of all forms of oppression.

Ethics & Safeguarding

Synergía – Initiatives for Human Rights is committed to the highest ethical standards. We do not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, fraud, corruption, or any form of misconduct.

To report a concern confidentially:
ethics@synergiaihr.org

Contact Us

If you have a specific question or are looking for to learn more about us or our work, please complete the form below.

While we will get back to you as soon as possible, feel free to also try contacting us via Twitter using our handle @Synergiaihr