TOGETHER

The TOGETHER (Transforming Opportunities for Gender Equality and Tolerance through Engagement, Human Rights, and Representation: Advancing Inclusive Democracy for LGBTI Communities) project aims to strengthen democratic participation and civic engagement among LGBTI people in Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Albania. The initiative promotes equality, non-discrimination, and inclusive governance by creating opportunities for LGBTI communities to participate more actively in democratic and public life.

The project was developed in response to the challenges posed by low public trust in democratic institutions, limited civic participation, and the ongoing discrimination and political exclusion experienced by LGBTI people across the region. Through an international partnership between four organisations with extensive experience in human rights advocacy, TOGETHER creates a sustainable network for exchanging knowledge, sharing good practices, and developing joint actions. The project builds on the achievements of previous European initiatives, including Q Center and Rainbow Hub, ensuring sustainability, scalability, and the transferability of its results.

The project’s main objective is to increase the participation of LGBTI people in democratic processes and strengthen cooperation between civil society organisations, public institutions, and allies across the four partner countries. To achieve this, the consortium will implement a range of capacity-building activities, training programmes, civic engagement initiatives, international exchanges, and public awareness campaigns.

The project will engage LGBTI communities alongside civil society organisations, allies, and institutional stakeholders, encouraging active participation in public life and the promotion of fundamental rights. A particular emphasis is placed on building sustainable transnational partnerships and advancing core European values, including democracy, equality, human rights, and non-discrimination.

The initiative is expected to engage 947 direct participants, including 426 LGBTI people and young people and 521 representatives of civil society organisations, allies, and institutional stakeholders. Through a multilingual communication campaign and online dissemination activities, the project will reach at least 800,000 people across the general public. In the long term, TOGETHER will contribute to stronger civic participation, greater public awareness of LGBTI rights, and more inclusive democratic processes throughout the region.