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Description
According to the report by the Commissioner for Human Rights entitled “Situation of LGBT people in Poland", there is a rapid growth in the number of equality marches organized in Polish cities, however, at the same time, the protection of the right of peaceful assembly is more and more frequently limited, the provision of safety and security to participants of such gatherings is also insufficient. Currently, each marching group must use their own resources. Many of them have neither experience in organizing such gatherings nor sufficient legal knowledge allowing them to fend off attacks of enemies and counterdemonstrators. Many persons involved in such activities must also face activist burnout. The project aims at sharing knowledge and increasing competencies as well as coordination and communication between particular groups organizing equality marches as well as supporting the Coalition of Marching Cities being created and equipping the groups joining it with knowledge and tools necessary to work effectively in regions in order to improve the situation of LGBTQIA people, counteract activist burnout, and activate new local groups in other cities. We will organize 2 congresses, an activist camp for the youth, over 20 workshops covering various topics, and legal and psychological support for marching groups. The activities will cover 30 groups and 300 activists from all around the country and contribute to the improvement in the quality of activism for the rights of LGBTQIA people, increase safety of participants of pro-equality public gatherings. The project is conducted in partnership. The Equality Institute provides a regional perspective necessary for the success of the project, whereas Oslo Pride AS (Norway) supports networking at an international level and the development of the Coalition in terms of knowledge, in particular with regard to building an inclusive program related to marches and coordinating law enforcement services during marches.
Summary of project results
The project was aimed at supporting the emerging Coalition of Marching Cities. It focused on strengthening small organizations fighting for the rights of LGBTQIA people in Poland, especially in the context of increasing institutional violence against activist people. Poland, according to a report by ILGA-Europe, ranks last in terms of legal solutions to protect LGBTQIA people, including in the sphere of fundamental rights such as freedom of assembly. The initiative was designed to support the formation of the Coalition of Marching Cities, which was to network local groups across the country and support them through training, supervisions, providing legal tools and anti-bullying trips.
The project targeted activist individuals, informal groups and formal organizations fighting for the rights of LGBTQIA people in Poland, bringing them together under the umbrella organization Equality Marches Ang Pride. The Norwegian organization Oslo Pride was a partner in the project.
The project has achieved its goals. We organized two Marching Cities Congresses, six Regional Meetings, a series of trainings on fundraising and project budget management, crisis intervention, volunteer management, group communication, working with local government, and preventing activist burnout, among others. A manual for new activist groups was also created as a support for organizations preparing for their first event.
The results of the project are significant - we managed to strengthen cooperation between organizations from all over Poland, strengthening trust and the effectiveness of our activities. The trainings involved more than 36 formal and informal groups and 300 activist individuals from across the country, helping to improve the standards and effectiveness of LGBTQIA rights advocacy. In addition, the project has improved the safety of participants in pro-equality gatherings, especially in regions of so-called "LGBT-free zones."
The project has influenced the development of the entire sector by improving contact between existing groups and allowing new organizations to access knowledge and existing resources. These changes have long-term potential, as strengthened organizations are better prepared to move forward and fight for LGBTQIA rights, which we hope will have a positive impact on society as a whole by building greater acceptance and awareness. The Marching Cities Coalition is a permanent creation and will continue its work.
Summary of bilateral results
The participation of a partner from the Donor States was significant to the success of our project. First and foremost, the partner supported us with their expertise in building agreements, alliances and coalitions among organisers of Pride marches abroad, which they acquired during their cooperation and membership of the EPOA (European Pride Organisers Association). The partner in our project had 2 roles. The first was to help build the position and visibility of the Coalition of Marching Cities internationally. This partnership allowed us not only to join the EPOA, but also to make numerous contacts internationally. We were invited by the Partner to the Nordic Conference in Oslo, where we got to know marching organisations from other Nordic countries, such as Reykjavik Pride, where we made a study visit later in the project after a budget change. The second role was to conduct crisis management training. The partner shared their experiences after the shooting, which took place the day before their 2022 march. The collaboration will continue, the Coalition has established a close relationship with Oslo Pride and we intend to build more projects in the future.