Provide significant support to NGOs, human rights defenders, independent journalists, and dissidents.
Strengthen pro-democracy capacity by resourcing the people who document abuses and keep information flowing. Support programs like the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and USAID that train activists, enable secure communications, and sustain documentation for accountability, and back Internet-freedom tools that bypass censorship. This is a long-term bet, but it supports change from within even when formal diplomacy stalls.
Why this works
- Empowering local pro-democracy actors addresses change from within – often the most durable path.
- It can also yield immediate relief (e.g.
- legal aid to political prisoners, evacuation of threatened activists).
Win Without War
AdvocacyProgressive coalition advocating for a more peaceful U.S. foreign policy
Mechanism
About GrassrootsHow Win Without War uses funding
- Identify trusted partner channels and define shared safety and impact objectives.
- Prioritize support lines described in the cause (training, secure communications, documentation, internet freedom).
- Coordinate funding and assistance so support reaches defenders and journalists without unnecessary exposure.
- Sustain momentum with ongoing support and rapid adjustments as regimes retaliate.
- Convert documentation into leverage by feeding credible evidence into diplomacy, sanctions, and accountability efforts.
Milestones
Checkpoints and the expected timing for each step
- 1
Partner map + safety plan set
0–30 daysTrusted partner channels and risk assumptions are documented for each support line.
- 2
Support package launched
1–3 monthsFunding and assistance priorities are activated with clear owners and delivery pathways.
- 3
Documentation + reporting loop live
2–4 monthsPartners have a repeatable process to share documentation and lessons learned safely.
- 4
Cross-strategy coordination enabled
OngoingCivil society evidence is integrated into diplomacy, sanctions, and accountability work when windows open.