The “Connecting the Dots” project, a groundbreaking initiative funded by the European Social Fund (ESF+), officially launches with a two-day kick-off meeting and design-thinking workshop in Vilnius. The project aims to address systemic barriers faced by LGBTI youth in Bulgaria and Lithuania by providing career development support and fostering inclusive workplace environments.

Led by the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) in collaboration with the Bilitis Resource Center Foundation, Glas-Bulgaria Foundation, and the Lithuanian Diversity Charter Association, this 24-month initiative (2024-2026) seeks to empower 120 LGBTI youth who are not in employment, education, or training (NEETs). The project’s main objectives include improving employability skills, connecting youth with supportive employers, and promoting workplace diversity and inclusion.

Challenges Addressed

LGBTI youth in Bulgaria and Lithuania face significant obstacles in their pursuit of education and employment due to discrimination, lack of support systems, and limited workplace inclusivity. According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) LGBTI surveys, discrimination remains prevalent in workplace settings across Eastern European member states, with transgender individuals experiencing substantially higher rates of employment discrimination. The FRA’s EU LGBTI Survey II (2020) revealed that 21% of LGBTI respondents felt discriminated against at work across the EU, with higher rates in countries with weaker legal protections. Special Eurobarometer surveys, particularly Special Eurobarometer 493 (2019), consistently indicate that public acceptance of LGBTI individuals in professional environments remains significantly lower in Bulgaria and Lithuania compared to the EU average, creating additional barriers for youth entering the workforce. These challenges are exacerbated by limited implementation of EU equality directives and insufficient employer awareness regarding anti-discrimination policies.

Project Innovation and Approach

The “Connecting the Dots” project introduces a three-pronged approach to addressing employment challenges for LGBTI youth: LGBTI-Inclusive Employment Services that enhance access to career support programs with integrated LGBTI-specific resources; Empowerment Through Personal Career Development providing individual goal-setting, mentorship, and skills validation opportunities; and Bridge to Employment establishing partnerships with inclusive employers while creating internships and job placement opportunities. The project expects to achieve a 40% job placement rate for participants, provide 60+ professional training opportunities, create 10 internships per country for workplace experience, and engage 40+ companies in diversity initiatives. Strategic activities will unfold in phases beginning with designing support structures and recruitment processes, followed by career coaching, skills validation, and employer engagement

A Collaborative Effort for Lasting Change

“This project represents a crucial step toward creating equitable job opportunities for LGBTI youth in Bulgaria and Lithuania. By collaborating with employers and leveraging existing support structures, we aim to ensure that young people can enter workplaces where they feel safe, valued, and respected,” said Vladimir Simonko, Project Coordinator, Lithuanian Gay League.

The project also includes a comprehensive communication and dissemination strategy, including online campaigns, employer training sessions, and a final event to share results and policy recommendations.

About the Project Partners

• Lithuanian Gay League (LGL)– Project Coordinator and leading LGBTI rights organization in Lithuania.
• Bilitis Resource Center Foundation– Bulgarian LGBTI rights organization specializing in youth support.
• Glas-Bulgaria Foundation– Focuses on workplace diversity and inclusion in Bulgaria.
• Lithuanian Diversity Charter Association (LDCA)– Works to promote DEI corporate policies in Lithuania.

For more information on the “Connecting the Dots” project, please contact office@gay.lt.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.