2024: Preparedness

‍Our focus in 2024 was on strengthening civil society resilience during a global mega-election year. We worked with partners to imagine expected and unexpected futures and map out practical strategies for even the most uncertain times.

We have been building our partners’ preparedness for authoritarian attacks — in particular, for the targeting of the civil society structure itself, including non-profits, grassroots groups, and the media.

We continued connecting civil society leaders with their peers across geographic and thematic divides, helping them share experiences, coordinate tactics, and find inspiration in their collective resilience against authoritarianism. We also linked them with legal, financial, and digital security experts to build up their holistic security.

In total, STROIKA worked with 152 organizations in 2024. Some of the groups we supported included

- Civil liberties lawyers in the Americas and in Eastern Europe

- US activists working on racial justice, economic justice, climate justice, and LGBTQI+ rights at the state and national levels

- HIV service providers in Central Asia- Independent media organizations

- Philanthropic donors in the United States, Eastern Africa, and Western Europe

‍2024: Writing

‍Our year began with Tatyana’s article in Politico Europe, reflecting on the meaning of home in the age of exile. STROIKA has been amplifying exiled journalists’ voices in the western press since our founding. In 2025, we will launch a major project supporting & connecting exiled journalists.

Yelena contributed to the Kettering Foundation’s From Many, We series, covering the ways that authoritarians use war, attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, and book bans to consolidate power. He was also in conversation with Harvard law professor Alan Jenkins about the role of art and culture in defending democracy.

‍2024: Speaking

‍In the spring, STROIKA traveled to the SKOLL World Forum in Oxford, presenting a session on Empowering Civic Resilience: Strategies for Action in Repression. We shared with a global audience practical strategies for finding hope and solidarity in the face of seemingly unbeatable odds.

In the fall, Tatyana took the stage at the Vital Voices Anti-Authoritarian Summit in Warsaw, with women leaders from around the world. She led a series of workshops that culminated in the release of The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook: Recommendations from Women Leaders for Women Leaders in the Global Fight for Democracy.

‍Looking ahead to 2025

‍In 2025, we are expanding our Anti-Authoritarian Fund, to provide flexible, responsive support directly to those making the greatest impact in standing up to authoritarianism.

We have already increased support to groups in the US most at risk of attacks by the Trump administration, while continuing to connect and resource our global partners.

And we will continue bringing our international expertise to both movement and donor spaces, sparking hope and collective action against transnational authoritarianism.

We are deeply grateful for your continued support and partnership. Please consider including STROIKA in your year-end giving with a tax-deductible donation.

With gratitude and resolve,
‍The STROIKA Team