Call for Participants: ‘Reaching Further: Decentralising LGBTQI Youth Activism’ Study Session

IGLYO is proud to announce a call for participants of the study session ‘Reaching Further: Decentralising LGBTQI Youth Activism’. The event is kindly supported by the Council of Europe.

Online application form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020StudySession
Deadline for applications: Monday 9 March 2020, 23:59 CET.

The life of young people in smaller, rural or isolated settings is generally and significantly more difficult than that of their peers living in larger cities. Geographic isolation, fewer services and the lack of support by friends and family often form the basis of this problem. With this study session, we aim to understand the lives of LGBTQI young people in rural settings through peer learning, research and leadership building.

Specific objectives of the study session

The study session will be held at the European Youth Centre in Budapest, Hungary. 30 participants will be expected to arrive on Sunday 24 May and depart on Saturday 30 May 2020. All related expenses including travel, accommodation and subsistence will be covered. Participants will not be reimbursed if they do not attend at least 80% of the study session.

• To understand why and how LGBTQI youth living in rural areas have more difficult lives, by looking at research and sharing personal experiences.
• To get some relevant skills that may be helpful, such as, for example: some basic counselling, building confidence and leadership, community organising, community-based advocacy, working with local authorities and service providers.
• To find out about and exchange current practices of working outside of cities.
• To draft a set of guidelines and recommendations to IGLYO, youth organisations and local providers of social, health, education services and law enforcement.

Participant profile

• LGBTQI activists between 18-30 years old who have experience with or want to work with rural youth. Participants with experience in working with state institutions providers of services in the field of education, health, social welfare and law enforcement will be prioritised.

• Be able to attend the full programme.

• Proficient enough in English that allows for full participation.

• Applicants should be from a Council of Europe (CoE) member state. A very limited number of places can be available to applications from outside of the CoE under exceptional circumstances. Get in contact for more information.

Application process

This study session is open to a “buddy”-type partnership, which means that you will have to apply in pairs: a young LGBTQI person living in a city who will identify a peer living in a rural area. You will apply together in that case, but each buddy needs to fill their own application form, so that we get to know each person in the buddy pair. We also accept teams consisting of two LGBTQI activists who both live in a rural area. Even if you think you cannot possibly identify a buddy, apply anyway and explain!

Don’t hesitate to contact the prep team with all your questions or special queries at tudor@iglyo.com.

Participants will be selected based upon the motivation they express and on how well they meet the criteria of the ideal participant profile above. Successful applicants will be notified by email, so please make sure to check the spam/junk email folder on or around the 5 March.