Country: World Source: The Freedom Fund Please refer to the attached files. People with lived experience of exploitation are uniquely positioned to lead the fight against modern slavery. The Survivor Leadership Fund (SLF), launched by the Freedom Fund in 2021, stands as a pioneering model that provides flexible, trust-based grants to survivor-led organisations (SLOs) to lead change in their communities, strengthen their organisations and support their voices to drive meaningful change.Between March 2024 and January 2025, a team of evaluators led by Beatriz Sanz-Corella, conducted an external evaluation to assess SLF’s impact and areas for improvement. The evaluation drew on qualitative and quantitative methods including surveys, interviews and field assessments to capture the experiences of 77 SLOs across 13 countries in East Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America. Since the start of the evaluation, the number of SLOs supported by SLF has increased to 118 SLOs in 15 countries.Key findingsSLF fostered a diverse and inclusive system of SLOsThe evaluation findings revealed that SLF has helped build a vibrant and diverse ecosystem of survivor-led organisations, with 70% of grantee organisations being women-led. It supported a wide range of groups and brought new strategies, operational models and survivor-led leadership structures into the anti-slavery movement. Additionally, SLF’s flexible and inclusive funding approach made it possible to reach organisations traditionally excluded from mainstream donor funding, aligning with the Freedom Fund’s commitment to support ‘’hard to reach’’ organisations.SLF had a strong impact on organisational capacity building and individual agencyThe grants enabled SLOs to refine their strategies, expand their programs and strengthen governance. Survivor leaders reported increased confidence in decision-making skills and leadership abilities, especially in Freedom Fund’s hotspot countries where SLF’s efforts were complemented by the wider Freedom Fund programming. Two-thirds (66%) of respondents rated SLF’s contribution as “substantial” in enhancing leadership opportunities and enabling individuals with lived experiences of exploitation to step into various leadership roles. However, for some organisations, receiving external funding for the first time also surfaced underlying tensions between survivor leaders and other group members. Smaller organisations continued to face resource limitations, underscoring the importance of long-term support to ensure their sustainability.The importance of non-financial support and sustainabilityThrough the evaluation, the SLOs highlighted the value of capacity building, mentorship and networking as essential complements to funding. They emphasised that such non-financial support was crucial for advancing their effectiveness and sustainability. Additionally, the evaluation also suggests moving from one-off grants toward phased partnerships that offer continued support, as this approach may be better suited to strengthening the long-term impact and resilience of SLOs.Recommendations for the futureStrengthen SLF’s core mission and strategic alignment with the Freedom Fund’s broader programsContinue to provide unrestricted funding to survivor-led organisations, prioritising community-based organisations in Freedom Fund hotspot countries.Preserve entry-level grants for newer organisations while scaling support for more established SLOs.Enhance non-financial supportUse regional convenings and digital infrastructure to build connections and strengthen networking between SLOs and other Freedom Fund partners.Provide more structured mentorship and guidance to SLOs, including regular feedback and support by the SLF team.Improve grant making process and inclusivityBe even more proactive in reaching out to less-visible SLOs, with increased involvement from the Freedom Fund’s country teams in the selection process.Provide more timely, constructive feedback to all SLF applicants, and invest in digital infrastructure to streamline grant management and reporting.Since 2021, SLF has established itself firmly in the anti-slavery movement, demonstrating the power of survivor-led solutions. As SLF progresses towards its goal of supporting 300 SLOs by 2030, it must continue to refine its model, deepen its impact and support the sustainability of survivor-led efforts. The insights from this evaluation offer a roadmap for the next phase of SLF’s journey, one where survivor voices remain at the heart of the fight against modern slavery.The report can be accessed at: https://www.freedomfund.org/app/uploads/2025/07/centringsurvivorsvoices-2025-07.pdfThe Freedom Fund is a global fund with the sole aim of helping end modern slavery. We are a catalyst in the global effort to end modern slavery, working in the countries and sectors where it is most prevalent. We invest in and partner with organisations and communities on the frontlines of ending exploitation.By partnering with those at risk of modern slavery as well as visionary investors, governments and anti-slavery organisations, we bring together the knowledge, the capital and the will needed to dismantle the systems that allow slavery to exist and thrive.Through our investments and support, we aim to shift power, so that frontline organisations and communities can shape and drive the change required to bring modern slavery to an end.