Strengthening the financial sustainability and income diversification of Safe Space

Description

"Safe Space" is a non-profit organization, established in late 2019 with the aim of raising social awareness about issues relating to different vulnerable social groups and identities in Latvia. Overall, 2020 & 2021 have been the years of maturing for Safe Space. Through dedication and various projects, the organization''s team has achieved recognition within the human rights support communities across Latvia and the Nordic region. Thin, in turn, has resulted in new challenges and the need for increased capacity in regards to both - human capital as well as finances.

The overarching goal of this project is to create a tool that would help to increase the proportion of non-project-related income within the organization''s budget by at least 10%. In order to achieve this, a podcast with a focus on queer issues in Latvia will be developed. By enabling different content subscription tiers and opportunities (depending on one''s monthly donation size) people will be motivated to take part, thus strengthening the financial sustainability and income diversification of Safe Space.

Increasing the proportion of non-project-related income within the organization''s budget will make it possible to ensure sustainable growth of Safe Space, strengthen the association''s financial independence, as well as develop new projects and improve existing ones.

Summary of project results

The project aimed to address the following challenges:

1. Financial sustainability and independence: Safe Space faced a need to diversify and increase its income sources, particularly by reducing its reliance on project-related funding. The goal was to increase non-project-related income by at least 10%, which would enhance the organization''s financial stability.

2. Capacity limitations: As the organization grew and gained recognition, it encountered challenges related to human capital and financial resources. Safe Space needed to expand its capacity to meet new demands arising from its success and growth within the human rights communities.

3. Sustainable growth: Ensuring the long-term growth and sustainability of Safe Space was a challenge, and the project sought to create tools that would help fund future projects and improve existing ones.

4. Awareness and support for queer issues in Latvia: By launching a podcast focused on queer issues, the project aimed to raise awareness about vulnerable social groups, while simultaneously engaging the public and securing financial support through content subscriptions.

In summary, the project sought to address financial sustainability, organizational capacity, growth, and awareness of queer issues.

The project was carried out with a focus on the creation and development of a podcast program called "PROPAGANDA", centered on LGBTQ+ issues. The main activities and outputs of the project can be described as follows:

1. Podcast episodes creation:

   • A total of 24 episodes of the podcast "PROPAGANDA" were published over 12 months. The episodes were consistently released twice per month on popular audio-visual streaming platforms.

2. Content accessibility and engagement:

   • Each episode was accompanied by written articles published on the Safe Space website.
   • Multiple social media posts were made across platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to engage the audience.
   • For select episodes, short videos were experimented with and shared on Instagram as reels and on TikTok to further promote the content.

3. Newsletter and audience interaction:

   • Each podcast episode was also promoted via the Safe Space email newsletter, which had 1,200 subscribers. The engagement rate of the newsletter was notably high, with over 50% active readers.

4. Tiered content access and donation system:

   • A multi-tiered access system called "IESPĒJU SKAPIS" (Opportunity Closet) was implemented. This system allowed people to access the podcast content based on their monthly donation levels:
     • Free subscription to the email newsletter.
     • Access with donations of €1, €3, or €10 per month.
   • As of early 2023, these tiers were adjusted to better reflect donation habits, with benefits and privileges for donors also adjusted accordingly.

5. Diversification of revenue:

   • The tiered donation system effectively contributed to increasing the financial support for Safe Space, with 100% of donations coming from individuals who followed the email newsletter.

In summary, the project successfully produced and promoted the "PROPAGANDA" podcast, strengthened engagement through various platforms, and diversified the organization’s revenue through a structured donation system tied to podcast content access.

The project achieved several key results, with significant outcomes and impacts for various beneficiaries:

1. Increased financial sustainability for Safe Space:

   • The introduction of the "IESPĒJU SKAPIS" tiered donation system allowed Safe Space to diversify its revenue streams by encouraging regular monthly donations based on content access. This increased the proportion of non-project-related income, contributing to the organization’s financial independence and long-term sustainability. Safe Space, as the primary beneficiary, now has greater financial stability to support its operations and future projects.

2. Enhanced public awareness and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues in Latvia:

   • The "PROPAGANDA" podcast, with 24 episodes focusing on LGBTQ+ issues, contributed to raising awareness among the Latvian public. By addressing queer topics and creating discussions in an accessible format, the podcast served as a resource for educating the general population, particularly those unfamiliar with or disconnected from LGBTQ+ matters. The wider public benefited from this increased awareness and education.

3. Engagement and empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community:

   • The LGBTQ+ community in Latvia was a key beneficiary, as the podcast provided representation and a platform to discuss issues directly affecting them. This not only amplified the voices of LGBTQ+ individuals but also empowered them by addressing topics relevant to their lives and struggles, creating a sense of community and support.

4. Building a loyal audience and support base:

   • Through its multi-channel engagement strategy (social media, newsletters, video reels, etc.), Safe Space built a growing and loyal audience. The email newsletter, with over 1,200 subscribers and high engagement rates, further solidified a strong base of supporters. This base, consisting of individuals who donated regularly, directly benefited Safe Space’s financial growth and allowed for more consistent outreach.

5. Increased visibility and reach of Safe Space:

   • The project helped Safe Space gain more recognition not only in Latvia but also across the broader Nordic region. By consistently publishing content on major streaming platforms, Safe Space expanded its reach and influence, strengthening its role within the human rights support community.

In summary, the project had meaningful impacts for both Safe Space (in terms of financial sustainability and visibility), the LGBTQ+ community (through representation and empowerment), and the general public (by raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in Latvia).