The Council of Europe has signed a Grant Agreement with GENDERDOC-M Information Centre, aiming to strengthen equality and combat discrimination on SOGIESC grounds in the Republic of Moldova.

Selected through a public call for proposals and rigorous assessment, the project will contribute to a more inclusive society where LGBTI individuals can live free from discrimination, enjoy equal rights, and participate fully in public life.

The project focuses on strengthening visibility, improving access to justice, and combating hate speech—key elements for lasting social change and stronger human rights protections.

To achieve these goals, GENDERDOC-M will document human rights violations, monitor media, and enhance online communication to counter disinformation and harmful narratives. At the same time, legal support and strategic litigation will reinforce protections for LGBTI persons, establish important precedents, and contribute to the adoption and implementation of comprehensive anti-discrimination policies.

Over the next 11 months, the organisation will record cases of discrimination and other violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, while providing legal assistance and pursuing strategic litigation to advance equality in Moldova.

The initiative reflects European standards and commitments. It draws on the Committee of Ministers Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 on combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and the more recent CM/Rec(2025)7 on equal rights for intersex persons. It also aligns with the ECRI General Policy Recommendation No. 17 (2023), which urges member states to prevent intolerance and discrimination against LGBTI persons.

At the European Union level, the project complements the EU LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030, which promotes protection, empowerment, and engagement.

The activity is implemented in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova for 2025-2028, part of the Council of Europe project ’’Enhancing diversity and equality in the Republic of Moldova – phase II’’.