The subproject is financed by the Block grant for enhancement of
the NGOs sector in Lithuania under the EEA Financial Mechanism and Norwegian
Financial Mechanism www.eeefondai.lt
After accession to the EU, the anti-discrimination laws have been rectified
which protect LGBT people to a larger extent in Lithuania. However, the LGBT
community is still facing large challenges of intolerance, low self esteem of
LGBT people.
Problem:
The majority of homosexual people hide their sexual orientation from the
society because of high intolerance in Lithuania. LGBT people are forced to
isolate themselves from the development of open civil society, that’s why their
community and the organization are weak. Membership of LGBT organization also would mean a forced coming out of the
closet, what causes limited concept of community, lack of confidence in
the equal rights advocacy practice and low motivation to participate in civil
society. There is a high level of prejudices, stereotypes and negative myths
about LGBT community.
The overall aim of the subproject is to promote human rights, equal
opportunities, social inclusion and health among LGBT community in Lithuania. The more specific aim is to strengthen the capacity of LGL through sharing
of best practices, training by and cooperation with RFSL in Sweden.
Subproject consists of 2 props:
Strengthen the community through information
and support centre in Vilnius
(10 seminars on topics: Social policy, Health, Education, Culture, Media, City
for you, Law, Youth, Sport, Seniors);
International collaboration, trainings and
research based on good practice:
- 1st step: research based on good
practice, training in Stockholm - visiting RFSL,
meeting with representatives of state institutions in Vilnius;
- 2nd
step: working group for partners in ILGA-Europe conference in Valeta;
- 3rd step: final International
Conference in Vilnius.
Expected results:
First of all results will be a book
containing best practices and lessons learned as well as an increased
capacity in the organisations to set up and conduct benchmarking studies
and use this constructively during networking activities. Secondly it will be a
strategy plan (or action plan for 2010-2015) presented at final
conference for further sharing of information and cooperation – including
how to strengthen established partnership in future bilateral cooperation. Results
received by the research and by good practice sharing will be documented in
publications (book and leaflet) and reports and promoted
through online sites. All this information will be
disseminated through the participating partner organizations and international
networks, as well as on national and European level.
