On 17 May, the International Day against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia is celebrated across the world. The European Youth Foundation supports initiatives by LGBTI young people in claiming their access to rights, equality and their active participation in democratic processes.
Take a snapshot look at some of the EYF funded projects that address these topics in the last few years:
In 2023, Right Side NGO used artistic storytelling as a method for raising awareness and contributing to decrease negative attitudes and stereotypes with regards to the LGBTQI+ community among youth, civil society, educators and journalists in their local context.
In 2024 IGLYO was supported through an annual work plan grant to train, support, and build the capacities of young LGBTQI activists, leaders, and volunteers to represent, advocate on behalf of, and serve their communities more effectively, as part of civil society organisations and outside of them.
In the framework of the Special Call Ukraine, IFM-SEI was awarded an international activity grant to support young Ukrainian LGBTQI+ refugees in their intersectional challenges. Young people from very different cultural backgrounds had the opportunity to come together and share first-hand experiences with each other, gaining a deeper understanding of what it means to be a LGBTQI+ refugee from Ukraine and ensuring a wide dissemination of these achievements thanks to the follow-up activities that were implemented in several countries.
UniKuir’s pilot activity project aimed at empowering LGBTI participants with skills and knowledge to engage effectively in political dialogue, participation and advocacy actions.
Ljubljana Pride Association’s pilot activity project focused on empowering young LGBTIQ+ people to become peer educators, addressing gaps in accessible and trustworthy information on various LGBTIQ+ issues. Participants received training in peer education methodologies, allowing them to share knowledge and experiences with their peers in safe, informal settings.
This year, LGL, through its Pride House pilot project, the organisation aims at establishing a welcoming and diverse environment for individuals in the LGBTIQ community to come together during Baltic Pride 2025 to socialize and grow positively in a safe setting that fosters connection and learning among peers rather than relying on traditional methods of education or advocacy alone.
Every day let’s strive together for defending human rights, promoting equality and inclusion and supporting young people’s affirmative participation in the democratic life!