FINALISTS NAMED IN CHALLENGE TO COMBAT GLOBAL SLAVERY: Global Online Community to Vote for Top 3 Winners in Competition

Fifteen promising approaches to end human trafficking and modern-day slavery were named finalists in the international social innovation competition, “Ending Global Slavery: Everyday Heroes Leading the Way,” sponsored by Humanity United and Ashoka’s Changemakers. The 15 winners, including the Rugmark Foundation USA and Transfair USA, were selected among more than 230 programs nominated from nearly 50 countries. ”Ending Global Slavery” is an innovative effort to raise the profile of modern-day slavery worldwide and identify some of the most promising efforts to end slavery practices. The competition builds on the experience of Changemakers, which has designed and hosted similar online competitions to tap into the collective knowledge of individuals worldwide.

Three winners of the “Ending Global Slavery” competition will now be selected from the 15 finalists by individuals around the world. Through August 4, the global community can discuss the finalists online and vote for their favorite at www.changemakers.net. The three winners will be announced on Aug. 6 and will each receive a minimum cash prize of US $5,000.

The 15 competition finalists include:

Carpets for Communities

Cambodia

The Code

United States The Emancipation Network

United States Fundación Gente Nueva

Argentina Global Workers Justice Alliance

United States National Domestic Workers’ Movement

India Nepalese Youth Opportunity Foundation

United States Regional Coalition Against Trafficking in Women and Girls in Latin America and the Caribbean (CATWLAC)

Mexico Repórter Brasil

Brazil Resposta

Brazil RugMark USA

United States TransFair USA

United States Vimukti Trust

India Visayan Forum Foundation

Philippines Volunteers for Social Justice, India

Humanity United is an independent grantmaking organization committed to building a world where modern-day slavery and mass atrocities are no longer possible. Humanity United supports efforts that empower affected communities and address the root causes of conflict and modern-day slavery to build lasting peace. The organization invests in the power of ideas and individuals, bringing together the best in research, policy, and public engagement to build local and global solutions to these challenges. For more information, visit www.humanityunited.org

KJ