Evidence shows that young LGBTQI people living in rural areas are disproportionately affected by social stigma, and the lack of social connections and peer support systems. Moreover, LGBTQI young people in rural settings face more social pressures to comply with traditional gender roles and norms, and capacity-building and leadership programmes often fail to involve young people outside of urban settings.
We want to change this situation by increasing the skills of young queer activists in working with youth in rural areas and by creating a series of recommendations and good practices for youth organisations, local service providers and law enforcement on how to reach, support and empower rural LGBTQI youth.
With this in mind, we are happy to announce our upcoming study session on the inclusion and empowerment of LGBTQI youth living in rural areas: “Reaching Further: Decentralising LGBTQI Youth Activism”. The study session will take place in Budapest (Hungary) between 26 May 2024 (arrival day) and 1 June 2024 (departure day) for 5 working days (27-31 May 2024) and is hosted by and co-organised with the European Youth Centre of the Council of Europe.
And while the participation fee is €50, IGLYO and the Youth Department of the Council of Europe will cover all other expenses (travel, accommodation and food) — you can find more details in the call.
Do you want to contribute to supporting and empowering rural LGBTQI youth? Read our full call and send us your application by 13 March 2024 at 23:59 CET.
The study session is open to LGBTQI young people between 18 and 30 years old at the time of the visit, who reside in one of the countries of the Council of Europe (see full list here), plus Belarus, Russian Federation, Holy See, Kosovo and Kazakhstan. IGLYO particularly welcomes applications from underrepresented groups and communities such as young women, trans and non-binary youth, intersex youth, young people with disabilities, young people living with HIV, racialised youth, Black youth and young people of colour, and young refugees and migrants.
This study session is a cooperation between IGLYO and the Youth Department of the Council of Europe, as part of the Youth for Democracy programme.
