Our work to support survivors of gender-based abuse across Europe

As the world marks the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Airbnb is proud to share new funding for specialist organizations to support women and children at risk of abuse across Italy, the UK, Ireland, Spain and Germany. This builds on our ongoing work to support organizations helping to end gender-based abuse across Europe.

These organizations will receive support through the Airbnb Community Fund, which will distribute $100 million USD to strengthen communities around the world by the end of 2030. 

Every year, Airbnb partners with hosts around the world to identify and distribute donations to organizations that help to address national and local issues within their communities through the Community Fund. Airbnb Host Advisory Board (HAB) members and those in independent Host Clubs can also nominate organizations to receive donations. HAB members have identified ending abuse and exploitation as a priority, helping to select specialist organizations committed to achieving this.

HAB member Claudia Pattarini nominated the Italian social enterprise La Grande Casa for a Community Fund donation. La Grande Casa provides support to women and children in Italy at risk of gender-based violence (and child witnessing violence) by providing temporary shelter and a network to help them rebuild their lives. In collaboration with La Grande Casa, Claudia organized an event in the Lake Como region to educate Airbnb hosts on the organization’s impactful work. 

“As an organization close to my heart, I am proud to have helped to choose La Grande Casa for a donation from the Airbnb Community Fund. The funds will help to raise awareness of this important topic, while helping hosts to better recognise signs and prevent delicate situations concerning violence,” said Claudia Pattarini. 

Additional organizations across Europe will receive donations from the Airbnb Community Fund:

• In England, Women’s Aid has launched a regional pilot that provides free, emergency accommodation to survivors of domestic abuse through the Airbnb platform. 
• In Ireland, Safe Ireland will use the funding for its ‘Safe Home, Safe Pathways’ projects, calling for all counties in Ireland to embed domestic violence responses into their local county Development Plans. Airbnb will continue to partner with Safe Ireland to provide instrumental funding aimed at building sustainable safe communities that support survivors. 
• Donne in Rete Contro la Violenza (D.i.Re) brings together 88 organizations across Italy and will use the funding to pursue its mission to support women to find their path towards freedom. Airbnb has also made its platform available to the D.i.Re team for staff stays, and the organization will host seminars for Airbnb employees and hosts in Italy to raise awareness of its work.
• In Spain, Mujeres Unidas contra el Maltrato (MUM) will continue to receive support through the Airbnb Community Fund. Airbnb has previously provided free temporary accommodation to women and their families who have experienced or are at risk of gender-based violence. 
• In Germany, HateAid will provide counseling and legal support in cases of digital violence, among them to women and girls. HateAid and Airbnb will continue to host events with female thought leaders to discuss solutions on how to protect women in the digital space. 

“As it stands, systemic underfunding has left specialist services unable to meet the demands for their support, making initiatives like this one from Airbnb invaluable. Thanks to Airbnb, survivors will have an avenue of safety at a time when their only other choices may be homelessness or returning to their abuser. Women’s Aid is extremely grateful to have support from Airbnb as we stand up to abuse and support survivors to live freely and safely,” said Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid.

“Secure digital spaces require changes in policy and platforms. But also our own commitment to support others. We must not leave these spaces to those who spread hate and hate speech. And we must stand alongside those who stand up for human rights there every day. Airbnb helps us to do this,” said Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, CEO of HateAid.

Since 2021, Airbnb has donated over $1.7 million to organizations across Europe working to end gender-based violence and abuse.