Towards sustainable movement for achievement of LGBTIQ rights

Project facts

Project promoter:
Zagreb Pride
Project Number:
HR02-0048
Target groups
LGTB - lesbian, gay, transsexual, bisexual,
Non governmental organisation
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€60,296
Final project cost:
€60,273
From EEA Grants:
€ 43,576
The project is carried out in:
Croatia

Description

Since 2008, Zagreb Pride faces challenges in the context of sustainability. As an organization that is recognizable to the public, we are exposed to multiple threats, especially external ones that increase our sustainability risks and require investment in human resources, innovative funding strategies and transparency of our work. This project aims to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations that work on the promotion and protection of LGBTIQ rights and the promotion of an enabling environment for the sector, and relates to capacity building of Zagreb Pride, LORI, TransAid and CroL. Our intention is to achieve greater sustainability of all organizations in all four components and propose a model to be applied to other organizations that work on LGBTIQ rights in Croatia and the region. Project activities include the research of best practices of similar organizations; assessment of the needs, problems and challenges; creation of models of sustainability (by components and organization, and one synthetic model); consultative meetings with organizations; open panels; meetings with journalists and production of articles and radio broadcasts.

Summary of project results

As a publicly recognised organization that advocates for the human rights of LGBTIQ persons, Zagreb Pride is exposed to numerous external threats (such as lawsuits, threats and a hostile socio-political environment) which pose a risk to our sustainability. In addition,they have been confronted with internal challenges regarding the form of professionalization of work due to an unclear division of roles and tasks as well as the difficulties of transferring specific knowledge needed to ensure the continuity and sustainability of the organisation and its programs. Furthermore, they encountered the problem of excessive dependence of heir programs and activities on international donors because of a small proportion of non-restricted funds in the total assets of the organization. Finally, they also faced the issue of a lack of space and resources for community work. The main objective of the project was to strengthen the capacities of civil society organizations engaged in the promotion and protection of LGBTIQ rights and a contribution to the creation of a supportive environment for the civil society sector. The project created 5 models of sustainability for LGBTIQ organizations in Croatia; held four public panels about the components of sustainability with representatives of LGBTIQ organizations from Croatia and the region; two meetings were held with 11 journalists; 15 articles and 5 radio broadcasts on human rights of LGBTIQ persons in Croatia were produced; a documentary filmed and an impact study of the Zagreb Pride March conducted. The beneficiaries of the project were activists who were provided with models of sustainability for their organizations; the LGBTIQ community that participated in the screening, the presentation of the study and panels was informed about the history of the LGBTIQ movement and made aware of the importance of working on its sustainability; researchers who were provided with sources; journalists who were familiarised with the work of LGBTIQ organizations; and the general public whose awareness about LGBTIQ issues was raised through public events and media releases.

Summary of bilateral results