With support from ProtectDefenders.eu, Urgent Action Fund supported Haven of Artists in Lebanon, an organization that aims to endorse, encourage and expose the modern underground art scene of Lebanon and the Middle East. Their grant request was to support an artist/activist collective to secure its building and operations as well as organize a staff retreat to address collective security and burnout issues following an increased crackdown against LGBTQI groups by Lebanese General Security. A retreat for a team that has worked for over 8 years without compensation has assisted their collective mental health, and they were also able to install and repaint new doors, locks, security cameras, blankets, permits, and outstanding lawyer fees. "Now we are able to focus all of our energies on capacity building for our target audiences without the looming debt and fear of not making rent due to them."
