Description
Positive Dialogue Centre is a multidimensional project with the goal of promoting tolerance and respect for diversity and, in particular, supporting LGBT persons and women experiencing discrimination in rural areas. The project activities will be implemented in Świętokrzyskie, Małopolskie and Śląskie Voivodeships. Klimontów, the centre of project activities, is located at the intersection of these three voivodeships. The project will consist of training sessions for employees of the educational sector (9 trainings), meetings of support groups, workshops in schools (39 workshops) and a festival summing up the project. In addition to LGBT persons and rural women, the project is addressed to the broadly understood local community. In result of the project activities and further systematic work, persons experiencing discrimination will receive a support tool and the local community will begin changing its attitude. Our goal is to build an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding.
Summary of project results
"Discrimination in rural areas affects a considerable number of women. A 2008 study carried out jointly by the Campaign Against Homophobia organisation and the Lambda Warsaw Association has shown a shortage of systemic support for LGBT persons outside large urban agglomerations. A study carried out in 2012 by the Cracow-based Women's Space Foundation proved that 80% of lesbians resident in rural areas have nobody to talk to about sexual orientation-related issues. The purpose of the project was to provide support to LGBT persons and women suffering discrimination in rural areas, and to promote tolerance in pupil, teacher, and activist communities in the Świętokrzyskie, Małopolskie, and Silesian voivodships. Attitudes of tolerance were developed in a community of 888 students and 392 debate film club attendants. Forty LGBT persons and 23 women were taught how to manage discrimination. Two hundred and eighty-eight teachers and activists expanded their knowledge of preventing discrimination. A Centre for Positive Dialogue was set up in Klimontów. Thirteen training sessions in anti-discrimination education were delivered for education and non-governmental sector employees; 7 LGBT group meetings, 6 meetings for women, 39 school workshops and 17 debate film club meetings took place. Two festivals and organisational meetings for the LGBT community were held in the Świętokrzyskie voivodship. Project beneficiaries included 40 LGBT persons, 23 women resident in rural areas, 288 teachers and activists, 888 pupils, 392 debate film club participants, and the broadly understood local community (including 140 festival attendants). The Norwegian organisation Eventyrlyst was the project partner - CampoSfera Foundation representatives participated in a study visit to Norway to learn about the standards and specificity of the Norwegian non-governmental sector."
Summary of bilateral results
Members of CampoSfera Foundation visited Norwegian partner and got acquianted with details concerning partner’s activities, projects and standards of their work. The visit helped to better understand situation of the NGO sector in Norway, possibilities of internetional cooperation and foundraising.