Project summary

Investigative activism has been a powerful tool in exposing animal cruelty, yet most efforts have been concentrated in Western countries, leaving Asia and the Global South underserved. Despite the scale of industrialized animal farming, no major program has focused on building investigative capacity in these regions. The Global Animal Activists Community (GAAC+) program fills this gap by building a cohesive community of investigators by training activists, providing a secure communication platform, sharing SpyTech tools, and expanding access to the Knowledge Hub. As an organization strengthening meta-investigative activism, Sentient is uniquely positioned to equip activists with skills, resources, and networks, empowering them to expose hidden suffering and boost the animal rights movement in these regions.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

The Global Animal Activists Community (GAAC+) program builds investigative capacity globally with focus in Asia and the Global South by training and equipping activists to uncover and expose animal cruelty in industrial farming.

We achieve this by:
✔ Training activists through online courses and mentorship programs.
✔ Providing SpyTech investigative tools, including specialized cameras.
✔ Expanding the Knowledge Hub, a growing library of investigative resources.
✔ Connecting activists through secure communication platforms for collaboration.

By empowering activists with the right skills and tools, GAAC+ strengthens investigative activism where it is needed most.

How will this funding be used?

The $3,000 grant will directly support:
✔ Partial costs for SpyTech investigative tools, enabling activists to document factory farming conditions.
✔ Expansion of the Knowledge Hub, adding new investigative resources.
✔ Online training sessions for activists to improve their investigative and storytelling skills.

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

Sentient is a registered charity in Israel with a small, dedicated team of four staff members (three full-time, one part-time). Our work focuses on meta-investigative activism, meaning we support activists rather than conduct investigations ourselves.

Track record highlights:
✔ Built a community of 118+ investigators worldwide in collaboration with Reporters for Animals International (RAI).
✔ Launched the 101 Investigation Online Course, training activists from India, the Philippines, South Africa, and beyond.
✔ 130+ Activists trained, guided, and supported in their fight against animal cruelty. From beginners taking their first steps to seasoned investigators refining their skills, we have helped activists from over 11 countries across 5 continents.

With years of experience in training and supporting activists, we are well-positioned to scale GAAC+.

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

If GAAC+ does not receive sufficient funding, key risks include:
✔ Fewer activists trained, slowing the growth of investigative activism.
✔ Limited access to SpyTech tools, reducing documentation of factory farming conditions.
✔ Weaker community engagement, preventing activists from sharing skills and strategies.

However, instead of shutting down, we would prioritize and refine program activities based on available resources and activist feedback.

How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?

In the past 12 months, we have secured multiple small to mid-sized grants (approx. $45,000) from organizations within the EA Animal Welfare space, along with contributions from individual donors. However, we have yet to raise sufficient funds to fully support the GAAC+ program in 2025. Running the program also requires dedicated staff time, which we currently cover through these grants. Additional funding will ensure we can continue providing investigative tools, training, and community support to activists in Asia and the Global South.