“Rainbow Rights – Promoting LGBTI Equality in Europe” 2017 01- 2018 12

Posted on:
Last edited:
Published by: , LGL

lgbt-630x390The project “Rainbow Rights – Promoting LGBTI Equality in Europe” develops LGBTI -equality policy measures in four Member States: Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The main objective of the project is to advance LGBTI equality by:

  • Promoting LGBTI awareness trough equality mainstreaming in different fields (education, employment and health);
  • Developing local LGBTI policies together with public officials and LGBTI NGOs;
  • Promoting mutual learning and exchange of good practices of LGBTI NGOs by cross border cooperation;
  • Raising awareness on multiple discrimination and harmful stereotypes towards LGBTI-people within minority communities.

The objectives of the project can be divided into five categories:

  1. More effective implementation of the EU and national legislation on prohibiting discrimination and promotion of equality;
  2. Better social acceptance of LGBTI people in all areas of the society;
  3. Developments in the regional and local policies against discrimination of LGBTI people;
  4. EU level exchange and mutual learning in combating discrimination against LGBTI people;
  5. Combating multiple discrimination against LGBTI members of the minority groups.

The objectives will be achieved by following types of activities:

  • Promoting LGBTI awareness trough equality mainstreaming in different fields (education, employment and health) (Workstream 2)
  • Developing local LGBTI policies together with public officials and LGBTI NGOs (Workstream 3)
  • Promoting mutual learning and exchange of good practices of LGBTI NGOs by cross border cooperation (Workstream 4)
  • Raising awareness on multiple discrimination and harmful stereotypes towards LGBTI-people within minority communities (Workstream 5)
  • Project coordination, reporting and evaluation (Workstream 1)

The following results are being expected:

  • Increased capacity to promote LGBTI equality at local level
  • New methods for equality mainstreaming: Indicators and benchmarking system for Equality Plans and their implementation
  • Good quality of Equality Plans with concrete measures to promote LGBTI equality
  • Transferrable models for training on non-discrimination
  • Number of events, seminars and training sessions on equality mainstreaming and LGBTI equality
  • Social and health care services meet the needs of LGBT-groups
  • Built capacity for LGBTI NGOs through exchange of knowledge
  • Mutual learning and exchange of good practices between NGOs and Authorities
  • Increased awareness on LGBTI equality among Minority NGOs and general public

The project will be carried out by the Ministry of Justice of Finland in partnership with Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of Finland and the national umbrella NGO “Seta – LGBTI Rights in Finland”, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities and the National LGBT* rights organization LGL. In addition, the project will involve other ministries, equality and dialogue promotion bodies (Ombudsman for Non-discrimination, Ombudsman for Children, Ombudsman for Gender Equality, Advisory Board for Roma Affairs, Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations, the Sámi Parliament) and NGOs (e.g. NGO for Roma youth, Finnish Youth Cooperation Allianssi, Finnish Islamic Council, Finnish League for Human Rights, SámiSoster) through the work of the Steering Committee and different working groups.

More about project activities:

1The Project Rainbow Rights is supported by the Rights, Equality and Citizenship (REC) Programme of the European Union.