Award Criteria
This award celebrates the extraordinary strength, resilience, and leadership of a survivor who has become a powerful force in the movement to end modern slavery. We seek to recognize a survivor who:
- Has lived through human trafficking or modern slavery within the last 7 years (preferably during and post-Covid 19 period).
- Has transformed their personal experience into a platform for change.
- Is driving impactful work within their community whether through advocacy, organizing, education, peer support, or direct services.
- Is a member or founder of a community-based organization.
- Has demonstrated bold leadership, compassion, and commitment to justice.
- Has received limited global recognition of their work to date but is ready to step onto a larger platform.
- Is eager to expand their influence, grow their network, and collaborate with others working toward a world free from exploitation.
Purpose of the Award
To spotlight emerging survivor leaders whose work deserves greater visibility.
To honor the courage it takes to turn pain into power.
To invest in survivor-led solutions by providing recognition, connection, and networking opportunities.
To inspire others across the world with stories of resilience, transformation, and justice.
This is more than an award, it is a tribute to survivor leadership, a spark for global connection, and a call to keep the fight alive.
Award Criteria
Celebrating a grassroots group that has made a powerful impact in supporting survivors’ reintegration, rights, and long-term empowerment.
This award honours a survivor-led community group that is creating powerful, sustainable change in the lives of survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking. We seek to recognize a group that:
- Is led by individuals with lived experience of modern slavery or trafficking.
- Provides meaningful and consistent support to survivors through reintegration, peer support, access to rights, or long-term empowerment services.
- Has demonstrated resilience, creativity, and leadership in their programming.
- Has received limited global recognition for their work but deserves broader visibility and support.
- Is open to collaboration, peer learning, and expanding its impact.
Purpose of the Award
To spotlight grassroots survivor-led organizations whose impact deserves global recognition.
To invest in survivor-led solutions that are changing lives from the ground up.
To amplify under-recognized organizations, offering them a platform, support, and connection to the broader movement.
To inspire replication, collaboration, and innovation in survivor-centered care across the globe.
The award package will include
A cash prize of USD 1,000, a trophy, and a certificate of award
Fully sponsored participation in the upcoming Freedom from Slavery Forum
A three-year appointment as a Freedom from Slavery Forum Ambassador
Ongoing technical support under Free the Slaves' Survivor Engagement Initiative
Who can nominate?
Anyone can nominate, and this includes but is not limited to individuals, organizations, colleagues, or community members. You can also nominate yourself.
Judges
The selection process will be led by an independent panel of judges with decades of experience in the anti-slavery/anti-trafficking movement. The panel will include professionals from diverse fields, experts with lived experience, and former Forum Ambassadors.
Nominations for the awards are now closed. Watch this space for further announcements.
Questions: Survivor.engagement@freetheslaves.net
Past Award Winners
Grace Kalekye Mwangangi
My name is Grace Kalekye, and I am a passionate advocate against human trafficking and modern-day slavery. In 2022, I had the honor of being elected as the most impactful Survivor Advocate by the Elkes Impact Award and Free the Slaves. I was recognized for exposing the hidden sex trafficking trade that was occurring in India, affecting not only myself but also many other young women from Africa. Through the support of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), I was able to share my story and shed light on this issue, which ultimately led to my return to my home country. You can watch the BBC documentary that includes my story here: https://youtu.be/0vDe6rUFs90
My journey began when I left my country to pursue my dreams of becoming a dancer in India. However, I found myself trapped in a world of sex trafficking, forced into a life I never imagined. With the help of a friend from the BBC, I reached out for assistance, and together we worked tirelessly to ensure my safe return. This experience ignited a fire within me to fight against human trafficking and to protect others from falling victim to this cruel trade.
Survivor Network of Cameroon
The winner of the Most Impactful Community-based Organization Award is the Survivor Network of Cameroon. The Survivor Network’s objectives include: rescuing enslaved individuals; sensitization campaigns against human trafficking and modern slavery; and, reintegrating survivors into their societies. The Survivor Network is involved in advocacy efforts, vocational training, and has started to give seed capital to survivors to start small businesses. The Survivor Network of Cameroon was selected for its passionate efforts in advocating against human trafficking and dedication to rehabilitating survivors of modern slavery. The Network truly put their community first and spared no effort in eradicating modern slavery. Through this award, we recognize their dedication, raise their organizational profile, and celebrate their grassroots impact.