n 29 December 2021, the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Government of Finland signed a new four-year agreement (2021 – 2025) with a total amount of EUR 1.2 million. This contribution is earmarked to support survivors of sexual and gender based violence. The TFV highly appreciates the trust and reaffirmation from Finland to the work of the TFV by increasing the value of this multi-year funding. For the first year, Finland will support projects in Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda.
Speaking on Finland’s contribution and support of the TFV, H.E. Ville Skinnari, Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade said: “Finland’s development cooperation is based on human rights. Finland supports victims of the most extensive and serious human rights violations. The majority of victims of sexual and gender-based violence are women and girls. Promoting their rights and status is one of the key objectives of Finland’s development policy.”
“By reaffirming its support and commitment to victim survivors of SGBV, the Government of Finland takes a stand, once again, and contributes to making the end of conflict related sexual violence a reality. Finland’s constant and increased contribution sends a strong message of solidarity with victim survivors as well as a signal of trust in the importance of the TFV’s work in assisting these survivors, empowering them and helping them and their families regain their dignity and reintegrate within their communities. Now more than ever, it is crucial for States parties to unite and join the TFV and the ICC in the efforts to leave no SGBV survivor behind,” declared Chair of the TFV Board of Directors Minou Tavárez Mirabal. “On behalf of the Board of Directors of the TFV, I express my gratitude to the government of Finland,” she added.
Thanking the Government of Finland, TFV Executive Director Pieter de Baan said “The TFV is grateful for the unwavering support of Finland, as a long-standing and most consistent partner. Moreover, we are immensely encouraged by Finland’s engagement to significantly increase contribution, especially as it regards to address the most serious harm, resulting from sexual violence. The TFV is proud to work alongside Finland and looks forward to continuing to do so.”
In 2008, the TFV launched a donor appeal to support victim survivors of SGBV. Finland was one of the first States Parties that responded to this appeal. Since then, Finland has consistently dedicated a significant portion of its voluntary contribution to the TFV for the benefit of SGBV victim survivors. The relation between Finland and the TFV dates back to 2012, when they entered the first multi-year agreement for this cause (2012 – 2015) with the total amount of €800,000. This partnership was continued in two consecutive four-year multi-annual funding arrangements (2017 – 2020) and (2022 – 2025) with a total value of €800,000 and €1,200,000, respectively.