IDSN coordinated a weeklong advocacy visit to Brussels in June, bringing together six representatives from marginalized caste groups across South Asia. Delegates included: Dharsika Sivapragasam (Human Development Organization – Sri Lanka), Swapon Das (DALIT Khulna – Bangladesh), Sushil BK (Dalit NGO Federation and DHR Nepal), Mary James Gill (Centre for Law and Justice – Pakistan), as well as representatives from the National Dalit Christian Watch (India) and the Esther Foundation/NFDW (India).

Over the course of the week, the delegation met with officials from the EU External Action Service, Members and staff of the European Parliament, the European Commission, international NGOs, and others. The meetings focused on strengthening EU engagement on addressing caste discrimination, enhancing monitoring and dialogue mechanisms and exploring ways to ensure that the rights of marginalized caste communities remain a priority across EU human rights and development policies.

Delegates brought diverse experiences from their national contexts, explaining how caste exclusion intersects with gender, religion, labour exploitation and access to justice. The exchanges offered an opportunity for constructive discussion on the need for deeper civil society involvement, stronger accountability in EU external action and long-term partnerships grounded in the lived experiences of affected communities.

Reflections and positive outcomes

In post-event evaluations, delegates described the visit as highly impactful, well-structured and empowering. Many noted that it offered a rare opportunity for grassroots concerns to be conveyed directly to influential policymakers and international stakeholders. Participants reported that the experience increased their confidence in engaging with international mechanisms and expanded their understanding of how EU institutions operate.

Reflecting on the personal and collective impact of the visit, one participant described it as “a powerful opportunity for grassroots voices to be heard directly by European institutions”

Delegates also highlighted that the experience helped strengthen their long-term advocacy plans, calling the visit “a major milestone in strengthening our commitment to equity, dignity, and justice”. Another reflection captured the empowering nature of the week: “It’s a great morale booster, equipping youngsters like me with a rare confidence to work more rigorously for the cause.”

Delegates expressed intentions to share their learnings widely with colleagues and local communities. Many indicated that they would integrate international advocacy tools into their national strategies and follow up with EU delegations in their home countries to sustain momentum.