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Description
In preparing this project, we carried out a needs diagnosis, both within our organisation and among LGBT+ people who are beneficiaries of our activities. This resulted in the organisation''s work plan for the coming year and a communication plan. Training topics have been developed by a team working with a personal development specialist and stem from the diagnosed needs. Our team is mostly made up of young people. We are constantly working with volunteers. Training is essential to enable us to build the organisation more efficiently and effectively, to manage, plan and organise our activities, and to develop and discover our potential. In our communication plan, we emphasise building a positive image of the organisation in the local environment and online, taking into account the specificity of our activities and target group (LGBT+ people). We create positive messages and plan to carry out social actions and campaigns. We prioritise the development of cooperation with other organisations. We diagnose the needs in terms of support for LGBT+ people and their families on an ongoing basis and, on this basis, we plan activities such as the Safe Place campaign, the offer of psychological support or events in the local community. We will use the grant to professionally organise and continue our activities. Support for LGBT+ people in Bialystok has so far been negligible. The needs of this group are often overlooked in the activities of other organisations and institutions (e.g. schools), as reported to us by recipients and supporters (teachers, parents, psychologists). It is also crucial to raise awareness and understanding in society, to promote acceptance and tolerance towards sexual and gender diversity.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to support LGBTQ+ people, create a safe space in Białystok for this community, provide psychological support, organize local events and initiatives, and anti-discrimination activities. He also focused on developing the organization''s resources through team workshops and tutoring. So far, support for LGBT+ people has been minimal in Białystok. The needs of this group are often ignored in the activities of other organizations and institutions (e.g. schools), which is reported to us by recipients and supporters (teachers, parents, psychologists). It was also crucial to increase awareness and understanding in society, promoting acceptance and tolerance towards sexual and gender diversity. The project was also intended to increase the organization''s potential by building a team, developing volunteering, training the team and developing action plans and strategies for the coming years.
As part of the project, we created a Safe Place - a friendly space for LGBTQ+ people where they can freely express themselves, establish relationships and develop self-acceptance without fear of discrimination. It is an open and accessible place for LGBTQ+ people and supporters, providing the opportunity to participate in various forms of activity tailored to their needs and interests. Safe Place has become an important point on the map of the LGBTQ+ community in Białystok. We provided psychological support for people experiencing difficulties related to sexual orientation, gender identity, emotional and mental problems, low self-esteem and lack of acceptance. We organized initiatives aimed at promoting equality and tolerance. The aim of the "Faces without Discrimination" campaign was to increase public awareness of discrimination and promote acceptance and tolerance of diversity. The action consisted of presenting the stories of 12 people who experienced discrimination. They are published on social media and on the website. As part of the "I am not indifferent" campaign, anti-discrimination workshops were held in schools. Young people were also encouraged to create their own anti-discrimination and equality campaigns. We created the Queer Library. They provide the LGBTQ+ community and allied people with access to literature and educational materials that support self-development and a better understanding of diversity. The library is stocked with items on various aspects of gender identity and sexual orientation, psychology, personal development, and LGBTQ+ history and culture. Its resources also include publications devoted to mental health. We have carried out activities aimed at developing the Association and strengthening its team. We took advantage of tutoring and coaching sessions.
Thanks to the implementation of the project, we have created a space for LGBT+ people to be themselves (freely express their thoughts and feelings), meet, support, understand and develop. Our goal is to build a friendly community. The activities contributed to improving the sense of security, self-acceptance and developing a sense of identity. We provided free specialist psychological assistance, which contributed to improving the ability to cope with emotional and psychological difficulties. We have also achieved benefits in the local environment through the involvement and inclusion of allies, establishing cooperation and partnerships. We tried to increase knowledge and awareness about gender identity and sexual orientation. Our actions were a building block in building an open, accepting community. The implementation of the project allowed us to strengthen the position of the organization in the local environment and created solid foundations for further development and implementation of further initiatives in the future. As part of the project, we conducted 40 hours of training for the team and volunteers, in which 20 people participated. We involved 22 volunteers in project activities. We conducted 7 hours of organizational tutoring. We have developed documentation and rules of cooperation with volunteers, a volunteer code of ethics, and the organization''s operating strategy. As part of our communication activities, we established cooperation with 4 non-governmental organizations and conducted 2 information meetings. As part of the Safe Place, we conducted 101 meetings, including 43 thematic meetings (workshops). We completed 120 hours of workshops, attended by 116 people. We provided 52 hours of individual psychological support and 2 hours of support group. 14 people benefited from psychological support. In addition, 12 stories of people were created as part of the Faces without Discrimination campaign and we conducted 30 hours of anti-discrimination workshops I am not indifferent, in which 512 students participated.