A new international survey targeting young people aged 16 to 18 has been launched as part of the CLICK project, an EU-funded initiative focused on improving the well-being of LGBTIQ children and combating violence in educational settings.

The survey represents a key step in the project’s research phase, aiming to better understand the lived experiences of young people—particularly those who identify as LGBTIQ—in schools and other learning environments. The findings will contribute directly to future actions, including awareness campaigns, professional training, and policy development.

The CLICK project brings together partners from across Europe to address ongoing challenges faced by LGBTIQ youth. Despite growing attention to inclusion, many young people continue to experience bullying, discrimination, and exclusion in education. Recent evidence from the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) indicates that 45% of LGBTIQ respondents aged 15–17 experienced discrimination in the past 12 months.[1]

At the heart of the initiative is a commitment to amplifying young people’s voices. The survey invites participants to reflect on their school environments, relationships with peers and educators, and access to support systems. By adopting an intersectional approach, the research also seeks to capture how different aspects of identity and background shape young people’s experiences, ensuring that diverse perspectives are recognised and included.

Educational settings play a central role in shaping well-being and development, yet they can also be environments where inequalities and violence are experienced. Understanding these realities is essential for building safer, more inclusive schools. The data collected through this survey will support efforts to strengthen collaboration between families and educators, enhance the capacity of professionals working with young people, and inform policies that promote equality and protection for all students.

Young people aged 16–18 are encouraged to participate and contribute to shaping meaningful change. Participation is voluntary and anonymous, and every response will help guide initiatives aimed at improving well-being and reducing violence in educational contexts across Europe. The survey can be accessed here: https://transcendingbarriers.limesurvey.net/722757?lang=en

The CLICK project, “Connecting families, educators and policymakers to combat violence and improve the well-being of LGBTIQ children through an intersectional approach,” is a 24-month initiative funded under the EU CERV programme. It focuses on preventing gender-based violence and fostering inclusive educational environments by connecting key stakeholders and placing children’s experiences at the centre of its work.

[1] EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), LGBTIQ Equality at a Crossroads – Survey III (2024)

This press release is prepared under the framework of the project “CLICK: Connecting families, educators and policymakers to prevent violence and increase the well-being of LGBTIQ children through an intersectional approach”, funded by the CERV-2024-DAPHNE program of the European Union.