Vienna, 18–20 February 2026 

The WAVE Regional Meeting Eurasia 2026 brought together women’s rights organisations, activists, and experts from across the region to exchange experiences, strengthen solidarity, and identify strategies to sustain their work in increasingly complex and restrictive environments. 

Held in Vienna, the meeting created a vital space for WAVE members from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia and Georgia for connection and reflection, recognising the challenging realities many organisations face today – including shrinking civic space, political hostility, and growing risks for those advocating for women’s rights. Despite these pressures, the gathering highlighted the resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment of feminist organisations across Eurasia. 

Regional Realities: Challenges and Resistance 

Participants shared country-specific insights, revealing a broader regional trend of democratic backsliding, anti-gender movements, and increasing repression of civil society. In several contexts, organisations face restrictive legislation, surveillance, and barriers to funding – often compounded by stigma and misinformation targeting gender equality and LGBTQI+ work. 

Across all contexts, key concerns emerged: 

• shrinking civic and political space  

• financial instability and dependence on external funding  

• burnout and wellbeing of staff  

• digital security risks and threats to confidentiality  

• rising anti-gender and anti-rights narratives  

Resilience in Practice 

A central focus of the meeting was how organisations continue to operate safely and effectively under pressure. Participants exchanged practical strategies, including: 

• Risk management and safety planning to anticipate and respond to threats  

• Adaptive communication strategies, balancing visibility with security  

• Diversification of funding sources and exploration of alternative fundraising models  

• Digital security measures to protect sensitive data and communications  

• Staff wellbeing and burnout prevention as core organisational priorities  

The discussions highlighted that resilience is not only about survival, but also about maintaining impact while protecting people – both staff and survivors. 

Solidarity and Unexpected Alliances 

One of the strongest messages from the meeting was the power of solidarity. Participants shared examples of support from unexpected allies, including medical professionals, private companies, artists, and community members. These partnerships have helped organisations expand services, strengthen advocacy, and remain operational in difficult conditions. 

Cross-border cooperation also emerged as a critical source of strength, demonstrating the importance of international networks like WAVE in sustaining feminist movements. 

Strategic Responses to Emerging Threats 

The meeting also addressed key thematic challenges, including anti-gender agendas, technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, and sustainable funding. Participants emphasized the need for strategic communication, careful choice of advocacy priorities, and innovative approaches to reaching new audiences – including engaging men and boys in prevention efforts. 

Digital tools and services were highlighted as increasingly important, offering new ways to reach survivors and adapt to restricted environments, while also raising important questions around data protection and ethical use. 

Moving Forward 

The WAVE Regional Meeting Eurasia reaffirmed the importance of collective action in the face of growing challenges. It highlighted that while contexts may differ, organisations across the region share common struggles and common strength. 

By fostering knowledge exchange, building alliances, and prioritising safety and sustainability, the meeting contributed to strengthening a regional movement committed to ensuring that women and girls can live free from violence. 

At the same time, these efforts cannot continue without sustained and flexible funding. Across the region, organisations are operating under increasing financial pressure while responding to growing needs and risks. Ensuring that women’s specialist services remain accessible, safe, and effective requires long-term investment in the organisations and people delivering this critical work.

Supporting feminist movements is not only an act of solidarity, but a necessary step toward building societies where rights, safety, and equality are protected for all.

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