On August 6-9, 2026 the LGL team is heading to WorldPride Amsterdam 2026. During the visit we will not only take part in the festival’s main events and meet our partners from the European Pride Business Network (EPBN), but also, during the Pride conference, co-host a discussion on workplace inclusion, the implementation of EU non-discrimination principles, and the role of civil society in responding to the growing “anti-rights” movements. The discussion will bring together experiences and good practices from across Europe, which we will seek to apply in Lithuania.
On 7 August, at the Workplace Pride 2026 International Conference in Amsterdam, the National LGBT rights organisation LGL, together with the European Pride Business Network (EPBN), will host a thematic session on an increasingly pressing question: how EU law is translated into concrete impact for LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the workplace.
In an increasingly polarised environment, corporate leaders and diversity and inclusion (DE&I) decision-makers face a dual challenge, navigating complex social issues while keeping teams cohesive, trusted and productive. The session, “Business Impact of LGBTIQ+ EU Legislation”, sets out to show that LGBTIQ+ equality is not only a values-based matter but also a strategic and economic one, directly tied to business competitiveness.
What the session will cover
This interactive breakout session will explore how EU and national anti-discrimination law works in practice, how companies can turn legal compliance into a competitive advantage, and what role civil society plays in these processes. The discussion will draw on real-world case studies, research data and practical EPBN tools.
The session will be chaired and moderated by Matthias Weber, President of EPBN, who will open with EPBN’s advocacy mission across Europe and close with key actionable takeaways.
Speakers and their topics:
- Kees Waaldijk, Professor Emeritus of Comparative Sexual Orientation Law at Leiden University, will present his Global Index (GILRHO) alongside a 1960–2025 animated data visual showing how legal recognition directly correlates with and reinforces national GDP per capita.
- Monika Antanaitytė, Board Member of EPBN and LGL Project Manager, will unpack the EU and national anti-discrimination legal landscapes and how companies turn legal compliance into a competitive advantage.
- Christophe Margaine, Vice President of EPBN, will lead an interactive discussion on DE&I perceptions across corporate and institutional spaces, backed by real-world case studies and EPBN tools.
- Juliane Marie Neiiendam, Vice President of the Civil Society Organisations Group at the European Economic and Social Committee, will bring a strong European perspective, highlighting practical solutions, cross-sector collaboration and the essential role civil society plays in driving systemic change.
Why this matters for LGL
This session is part of the bilateral cooperation between LGL and EPBN, aimed at strengthening LGL’s capacity to conduct evidence-based advocacy at both EU and national levels. Although EU law establishes clear non-discrimination principles, their implementation in Lithuania remains fragmented, and workplace inclusion is still insufficiently reflected in the public policy agenda.
As “anti-gender” initiatives grow stronger, the private sector becomes an increasingly important ally: one that can help advance human rights even where political leadership is lacking. Through its cooperation with EPBN, LGL is adopting advanced workplace inclusion practices and jointly preparing recommendations for Lithuanian and EU institutions on more effective implementation of non-discrimination principles.
About the project and its funding
This thematic session is part of the bilateral cooperation project “LGL and EPBN exchange of experience in advocacy: strengthening workplace inclusion and responding to anti-gender backlash.” This five-month project (July-November 2026) aims to strengthen LGL’s capacity to conduct evidence-based advocacy at EU and national levels, promoting LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion and responding to the challenges posed by the “anti-gender” movement. LGL acts as the lead partner and EPBN as the partner.
The project brings together three interlinked strands of activity: an experience-exchange visit by LGL and EPBN representatives to Amsterdam during the Workplace Pride conference, the joint thematic session, and the preparation and submission of a recommendations document to Lithuanian and EU institutions on more effective implementation of EU non-discrimination law in the field of workplace inclusion. In total, at least six LGL and EPBN representatives are expected to strengthen their advocacy capacities through the project.
The project “LGL and EPBN exchange of experience in advocacy” is funded by the European Union through the “Verta!” Programme (2025–2027, Stage II), administered by the Open Lithuania Foundation (Atviros Lietuvos fondas). The Programme is resourced through the EU Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme.
Practical information
- Date and time: Friday, 7 August 2026, 14:15–15:15 (CEST)
- Location: Administratiezaal room, Beurs van Berlage (Damrak 243, Amsterdam)
- Event: Workplace Pride 2026 International Conference
- Organisers: EPBN and LGL
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 the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them
