The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, announced the 25 organizations awarded with Global Innovation Small Grants as an initiative of HRCF’s Global Partnerships Program. This year’s small grants program is once again made possible through the generous support of ADM. The grant recipients, from 24 different countries, will receive grants up to $5,000, and all share one common goal: to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people in their communities.
Grants were awarded to programs in a variety of categories, including but not limited to projects that focus on: providing support services for LGBTQ+ refugees, promoting and securing the rights of LBTQ women, and supporting LGBTQ+ youth in countries where they face the most marginalization. All grant recipients were selected from HRC’s Global Alumni Network, which now consists of over 200 LGBTQ+ advocates in over 100 countries. All participants have participated in one of the HRC Foundation’s global programs, including the annual Innovative Global Advocacy Summit.
The Global Small Grants program is an opportunity for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation to partner with LGBTQ+ advocates around the world to advance our common goal of equality for all. By combining our knowledge, resources, and passion, we are so much stronger together. These amazing advocates and organizations are making a difference and saving lives in each of their countries, and we are honored to be able to support their work.
This year’s awardees include: Derechos Humanos y Diversidad Asociación Civil (Argentina), Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO (Armenia), Youth LGBT organization Deystvie (Bulgaria), CamASEAN Youth’s Future (Cambodia), Anonymous Organization (China), Sergio Urrego Foundation (Colombia), Transparent (Czech Republic), LA COLOMBE Pride ASBL (Democratic Republic of Congo), Estonian Trans Alliance (Estonia), The Mediators Foundation (Ghana), Transgender Equality Hong Kong (Hong Kong), JEJAKA (Malaysia), Ledeser AC (Mexico), South Trans Voice (Morocco), Equal Namibia (Namibia), Initiative for Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Awareness (Nigeria), PFLAG Panama (Panama), Más Igualdad Perú (Perú), XY Spectrum (Serbia), LighT (Central Asia), Bridge Initiative Organisation (Tanzania), ÜniKuir (Turkiye), Queer Youth Uganda (Uganda), Icebreakers Uganda (Uganda), and Women’s Alliance for Equality (Zambia).
Among the countries represented, eight have same-sex criminalization statute, and it is still illegal to engage in consensual same-sex sexual relations. In many others, openly identifying as LGBTQ+ can lead to ostracization, discrimination, and violence. For this reason, some grantees have chosen to remain anonymous.
This is what community solidarity looks like, as it enables us to continue breaking barriers during such harsh and challenging moments in the Ugandan movement.
Perú is one of the last countries in South America that does not guarantee any kind of legal protection for same-sex couples. With an HRC Global Small Grant, we’ll engage with leading companies and businesses that are committed to safe and LGBTIQ-inclusive workplaces and promote their involvement in public statements of support for the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Peru. This will help us advocate with the authorities for the legal protections for same-sex couples and their families
This grant is not just funding; it’s a partnership in making real change.
The Global Partnerships Program at the HRC Foundation leverages HRC’s resources and expertise to support and strengthen the global movement for equality. To learn more about our innovative work around the world, visit https://www.hrc.org/global.
