In recent years, civic space in Italy has been progressively eroded, contributing to growing pressure on civil society. These pressures risk discouraging public participation and the expression of dissent, leading activists, collectives and organisations to scale back their involvement for fear of possible consequences. At the same time, those facing repression or criminalisation often lack the tools and the legal, psychological and digital support needed to protect themselves. In particular, in 2025, the Security Decree, which was enacted into law, introduced new offences and harsher penalties for forms of protest. Added to this are administrative measures that restrict fundamental freedoms.
In response to this situation, the Hub for Defenders was established: a network coordinated by Un Ponte Per that brings together 20 Italian organisations working in various fields, including human rights, migration, detention, the environment, LGBTQIA+ rights and legal defence. The project builds on the experience gained through Shelter City Rome, extending to the Italian context an approach based on the protection of those who defend and exercise fundamental rights.
The Hub for Defenders aims to offer activists, collectives and organisations under pressure a free, timely and confidential protection system, based on the integration of legal, psychological and digital support. In line with the principle of ‘activists protecting activists’, the aim is to gradually build a national protection ecosystem in which organisations, professionals and movements can share expertise, report situations of risk and develop coordinated responses to the criminalisation of dissent.
Activities include access to legal advice and representation in proceedings relating to activism, including SLAPPs; individual and group psychological support to address stress, burnout and the emotional consequences of repression; and assistance with digital security, through vulnerability assessments and the provision of self-defence tools. Direct protection is complemented by a significant focus on prevention and training, carried out in collaboration with local organisations in various Italian cities. The activities address topics such as the right to protest, rights in the event of arrest and detention, administrative measures that may restrict fundamental freedoms, non-violence and civil disobedience, the documentation of abuses, and digital security.
The project also involves the production and distribution of guides and practical resources to strengthen the capacity of activists, collectives and organisations to understand their rights, protect themselves and deal more effectively with any situations of pressure or repression. In addition, the project involves monitoring the repression and criminalisation of activism, gathering data to identify trends, support strategic litigation and develop advocacy initiatives at national and European level. Through this system, the Hub aims to reduce the isolation of those facing pressure due to their activism, strengthen their capacity for self-protection and promote the continuity of public participation. At the same time, pooling different areas of expertise enables a shift from fragmented responses to a shared protection mechanism, strengthening the links between local organisations, national organisations and international networks committed to the protection of human rights defenders.
The network is coordinated by Un Ponte Per and comprises A Buon Diritto, Amnesty International Italia, Antigone, ARCI, ASGI, A Sud, Baobab Experience, CILD, COSPE, CRED, Diritti di Frontiera, Gay Center, Giuristi Democratici, Greenpeace Italia, Italiani Senza Cittadinanza, Legal Team Italia, NAGA, Progetto Diritti, Rete In Difesa Di and Spazi Circolari. The Hub’s work thus contributes to building a collective response in defence of civic space and the rights to protest, freedom of expression and freedom of association in Italy.
