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Description
Social and cultural policies that would ensure the inclusion of LGBTIQ people through cultural and social programs, and social services are not defined at the national or local level, and the needs of the LGBTIQ population are addressed exclusively by CSOs. This project strengthens CSOs gathered around the informal platform of the LGBT center Split for advocacy / watchdog activities, with the aim of developing the LGBT center Split as a socio-cultural center for the LGBTIQ population, who through the center''s programs exercises its rights to social and cultural life and the right to social services. Advocacy activities (panel discussions and submissions / guidelines) of the project are directed towards local authorities of City of Split with the aim of changing public policies, media with the aim of changing public opinion, and towards the LGBTIQ population with the aim of creating and strengthening community around LGBT center Split. The proposal of the socio-cultural center model, that meets cultural and social needs and provides access to social services to the LGBTIQ population, is based on participatory governance and encourages the development of public-civil partnership through which local governments take their responsibility in providing public services to the minority LGBTIQ population, which contributes to social justice, democratization of culture and social cohesion.
Summary of project results
The project "LGBT Center Split" aimed to address the challenges faced by LGBTIQ individuals in Split, focusing on their social and cultural inclusion. This group is often marginalized and discriminated against, and their needs are largely ignored by local policymakers. Local cultural and social policies, as well as public institutions, fail to address the specific needs of the LGBTIQ population. The lack of political will and the indifference of public institutions, which are generally under-resourced to support vulnerable groups, contribute to the exclusion of LGBTIQ individuals. Additionally, societal attitudes that refuse to acknowledge the distinct characteristics of gender and sexual minorities further hinder their equal participation in civic rights and duties.
As a result, LGBTIQ individuals often struggle to find safe spaces or services that cater to their needs, leading to isolation and alienation, or, at best, the creation of makeshift social environments hidden from the public eye.
The project sought to strengthen local civil society organizations (CSOs) associated with the informal LGBT Center Split platform to advocate for LGBTIQ inclusion through cultural, social, and public service programs. One of the key goals was for the LGBT Center Split to be recognized by the City of Split, the LGBTIQ community, media, and the broader public as a socially and culturally relevant center based on participatory governance. The long-term aim was to potentially develop a public-civil partnership that would provide public services to the LGBTIQ minority.
The project included analyzing public policies and budget expenditures of the City of Split to clarify the position and funding for LGBTIQ organizations and programs. It also aimed to conduct research on the needs of the LGBTIQ community to better understand their challenges, and to create guidelines for improving public policies. Through public forums, advocacy campaigns, and targeted communication, the project intended to raise awareness about the lack of public services for LGBTIQ individuals and promote the LGBT Center as a solution to these issues.
The project also planned to offer social and cultural programs designed to meet the specific needs of LGBTIQ individuals, fostering inclusion and intergenerational solidarity within this marginalized group. By creating a safe space and strengthening the LGBTIQ community, the project aimed to mobilize the group and further develop the LGBT Center Split as a recognized social and cultural hub.
The project carried out several activities aimed at improving the inclusion of LGBTIQ individuals in Split through research, advocacy, and cultural and social programs.
In the first phase, a sociological researcher analyzed the City of Split’s public policies, strategic documents, and budget expenditures to understand the position and funding of LGBTIQ organizations and programs. This analysis was conducted over five months, in collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs), and resulted in a detailed report on public policies affecting LGBTIQ individuals in Split. Next, the project conducted a needs assessment of the LGBTIQ population in Split using surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. Over nine months, this assessment identified the social, cultural, and service needs of the local LGBTIQ community. The findings were compiled into a report, and the survey was promoted via social media to reach the targeted population.As a result, guidelines for inclusive public policies in Split were developed. Based on the analysis of public policies and the needs assessment, these guidelines provided recommendations to improve policies and develop the LGBT Center as a social and cultural hub that could help address the lack of public services for the LGBTIQ population. The guidelines were designed and published as a booklet.
To raise awareness, two panel discussions were organized. The first focused on the findings of the public policy analysis, and the second on the results of the needs assessment. Both were attended by representatives from the City of Split, media, CSOs, and the LGBTIQ community, with the discussions broadcast live on YouTube. Additionally, the project organized a promotion of the policy guidelines and shared reports with the City of Split and the media. Advocacy campaigns were conducted through social media, with three campaigns reaching over 25,000 users. These campaigns aimed to raise awareness of the lack of public services for LGBTIQ individuals and propose solutions for social justice and inclusion.
The project also implemented several cultural and social programs, including an intergenerational collaboration program called "Open Doors," which involved 18 workshops on various topics like screen printing, photography, and meditation. Additionally, the project supported the qFEST festival, offering a safe space for LGBTIQ individuals to participate in cultural and social events, and aired five radio shows through the "Queer in the Ether" program to inform the community about the project’s progress and events.
Lastly, the project also focused on organizational development of the invloved CSOs. Members of the CSOs received training on managing social impact, public campaigns, and digital marketing. This helped them improve communication with the LGBTIQ community and broader public, and to develop strategies for the LGBT Center’s long-term success.
Through the implementation of the project, three civil society organizations (CSOs)—queerANarchive, Split Pride, and Queer Sport Split—significantly strengthened their advocacy roles. These organizations, part of the informal platform of the LGBT Center Split, gained the necessary analytical support for their ongoing advocacy efforts aimed at local decision-makers, especially the City of Split, and the wider public. They achieved this by conducting an analysis of public policies, focusing on the positioning and funding of LGBTIQ-related programs and projects, and by researching the needs of the LGBTIQ population in Split. This research led to the creation of guidelines for improving public policies and the functioning of the LGBT Center Split. The three CSOs were also trained in conducting public campaigns, using digital marketing tools, and managing social impact, which culminated in the development of a Social Impact Strategy for the LGBT Center Split.
This enhanced advocacy capacity and the strengthened skills of the three CSOs laid the foundation for long-term advocacy efforts necessary to achieve full inclusion of LGBTIQ individuals. The project primarily targeted local decision-makers, particularly the City of Split, with the aim of changing public policies and encouraging the city''s co-responsibility in providing public services for the LGBTIQ community. As a result, the City of Split received a detailed analytical review of how it positions and funds LGBTIQ organizations, projects, and programs, revealing gaps in its public services. In addition, the scientific research highlighted the specific needs of the LGBTIQ population, providing the City of Split with concrete recommendations for public policy changes.
The project also strengthened the capacity of the three CSOs, enabling them to advocate for more inclusive public policies and the development and sustainability of the LGBT Center Split as a social and cultural hub. This advocacy was supported by the creation of key documents such as the Analysis of Public Policies, the Needs Assessment of LGBTIQ Individuals in Split, and the Guidelines for Improving Public Policies and the LGBT Center''s Work. These documents served as the basis for advocacy activities during the project and helped raise awareness among decision-makers, the media, the public, and the LGBTIQ community.
Furthermore, the project fostered institutional and programmatic sustainability for the LGBT Center Split by providing training to the three CSOs on public campaign execution, digital marketing, and social impact management. This resulted in the joint creation of the LGBT Center''s Social Impact Strategy. The project also introduced a successful model for involving young people (ages 15-29) in the activities of the LGBT Center. Through this model, young people, with the support of the CSOs, created and implemented their own programs, gaining knowledge and skills that will allow them to assume leadership roles in the future.
The strengthened advocacy role and organizational capacity of these three CSOs are essential for continuing the long-term advocacy process initiated by this project, which is necessary to achieve the full inclusion of LGBTIQ individuals. Despite ongoing financial and policy challenges, the project has created a foundation for future efforts to ensure greater support and inclusion of the LGBTIQ community in Split.