Sara is the contact point for bilateral relations under the EEA and Norway Grants Civil Society Fund by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In this role, she leverages her extensive background in international advocacy and human rights to strengthen civil society and protect civic spaces across Europe.
Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sara brings experience in international politics, human rights, and democratic resilience, complemented by a background in journalism covering elections and social justice issues. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in World History, specialized training in International Journalism, and a Master’s degree in Human Rights from the University of Oslo. Her Master’s thesis, “Empty Words? Human Rights and Politics – Perspectives from Women in Institutional Politics in Brazil,” was nominated for the Faculty of Law’s annual prize for Equality, Inclusion, and Diversity.
Prior to her current responsibilities at the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Sara built a robust track record in strategic international advocacy. She previously served as the Communications and Advocacy Adviser for the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB). A versatile communicator, she combines her writing expertise with technical skills in multimedia production, including video editing, photography, website management, and exploring AI applications to maximize advocacy impact — or at least trying her best to ensure the robots are trained to protect human rights defenders, not attack them.
My dedication to supporting civil society and human rights comes from growing up in an environment where democratic institutions are constantly tested. I have seen firsthand how vital independent civic spaces are for a healthy society. Leading this contact point allows me to support the brave organizations and individuals driving sustainable, systemic change on the ground.
Sara also founded and led Rede Amando from 2014 to 2023—a grassroots social project in Rio dedicated to combating poverty and social exclusion through food security and educational initiatives.
