About us

Supporting the Vulnerable and Disadvantaged

KIOS Foundation strengthens the realization of human rights by supporting the human rights work of civil society groups in developing countries. Our core purpose is to strengthen the position of the marginalised and persons in a vulnerable position.

KIOS Foundation strengthens the realization of human rights by supporting the human rights work of civil society groups in developing countries. The Foundation’s work currently focuses on South Asia and East Africa.

KIOS works to support the full realization of the human rights of every person and to strengthen the commitment of governments to effectively implementing human rights legislation. Our core purpose is to strengthen the position of the marginalised and persons in a vulnerable position.

Direct Support for Human Rights Work in Developing Countries

KIOS is a unique Finnish organization which channels direct support to human rights projects that are planned and implemented by civil society organizations in developing countries.

The organizations KIOS supports strengthen the realization of human rights through a wide range of activities, including human rights education, awareness raising, campaigning, human rights monitoring and documentation, advocacy work and legal aid.

In addition to providing funding, KIOS supports the organizations by strengthening the expertise, networks and security of those working to defend human rights.

Focused on Equality, Corporate Responsibility and the Rule of Law

In East Africa, KIOS is supporting organizations in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda. In South Asia, KIOS channels its support to Nepal and Sri Lanka as well as Tibetan human rights organizations operating in exile. In addition, the Foundation supports regional cooperation in East Africa and South Asia.

The organizations supported by KIOS focus on:

  • non-discrimination and gender equality, including LGBTQ+ rights
  • democracy and the rule of law
  • business activities and human rights

KIOS in Finland

In Finland, KIOS seeks to raise awareness of the achievements of its partners and to share information that relates to the Foundation’s focus areas. KIOS also engages in advocacy work to support defenders of human rights both directly and also indirectly through the development of operational models for Finnish foreign policy and development policy.

Founded by Finnish NGOs

KIOS was founded by 11 Finnish NGOs that work in the fields of human rights, peace and development. The work of the Foundation thus draws together Finnish expertise on human rights and development. The Board of KIOS is appointed by representatives of the founding NGOs.

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The Founding NGOs of KIOS: Fingo, Finn Church Aid, Amnesty International Finnish Section, The Finnish League for Human Rights, The Finnish Refugee Council, Finnish Peace Committee, Committee of 100 in Finland, Finnish Committee for UNICEF, The UN Association of Finland, Disability Partnership Finland, Finland National Committee for UN Women.

KIOS receives financial support for its activities from the development cooperation funds of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

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