Testimonials from Participants of Active RainbowLaura, Latvia competences and to also gain and develop new ones. The most important thing for me was thatI was able to experience how my positive words, the people involved in the project gave me soactions and thoughts have an impact on other much energy and ideas and I feel now muchhuman beings, how they open up to me and more empowered and sure about the thingshow they appreciate my efforts. Experience, I wish to do in this field of human rights forwhich I will cherish. LGBTQIA+ people.Panagiotis, Greece Elina, LatviaI think that AR project made me more self- Active Rainbow for me was a unique possibilityaware. It gave me a safe space in which I could to continue exploring myself as individual andexpress myself, without any criticism and with as a member part of the team. I learned newunconditional acceptance, and view a unique insights regarding my own personality while beingsort of a small society that we created. in discomfort situation. Nerveless, updatedIn my daily life now, I can see the difference and knowledge regarding the topic and expandedsometimes I even feel oppressed, but I knownow that it’s up to me to change that and even ...the people involved in the projectmake a difference in my community. gave me so much energy and ideas and I feel now much more empow-Juste, Lithuania ered and sure about the things I wish to do ...Active Rainbow has changed my life, i had neverthought that a 10-dayexchange could help me new&trustworthy friend list.grow so much as a person! It’s been a month, ifeel like everything happened just yesterday, or Donya,The Netherlandslast week. I am calm, for me the experience ofActive Rainbow did not end. I hope i can have The project had a huge profound effect on me,this feeling forever. Thank You so much! and it gave my ego much reflection and intro- spective thought and emotion. The workshopsElena, Romania we had were all so supportive, surrounding and yet spatial. In combination with my manyThe Active Rainbow Project had a really learning moments, of culture, of biology, ofimportant impact over me. It was an amaz- myself, I should say the intention of this projecting experience to be in such a multicultural was more than achieved. The fundamentals ofenvironment, to discuss about LGBTQIA+ issues its philosophical nature have captured my andfrom different perspectives and to find out everyone else’s body and mind. We were trulymore information about these issues in other connected through it, and beyond. Everyday IEuropean countries. Moreover, the project gaveme the opportunity to practice my skills and 51
feel the aftertaste of borders crossed, self-in- things make us happy. So my next plan is toflicted limitations let go. The pursuit of yourself. travel around the world, meet lots of differentThis pursuit was re-initiated in that project. And people and understand what makes them happy.I wasn’t even aware I had halted looking. The Active Rainbow experience is probably the begining of this plan. Finally...one more thingJames, The Netherlands that I would like to share is that...no matter how we are, what we believe, where we live, we areThis is simultaneously the most beautiful and all beautiful when we share our love.the weirdest exchange I’ve ever been part of. Exploring yourself through the others andBeautiful because of the people who took part learning from the others by yourself. Commu-in it. Weird because I never thought I could live nication is a difficult process and sometimes weunder a roof with so many other people and forget to be simply there with each other. Welike them all. I learned from these people. I are so busy to answer that we forget to listen.learned language doesn’t have to be a barrier. I The exchange helped me to understand betterlearned about other European cultures, things my feelings and to look inside myself and alsoI would never have known otherwise. I learned to understand that, firstly, people need to beto take feedback with a thank you( and a smile listened - it doesn’t matter if we understandmaybe) instead of responding to it immediately. them, their feelings, their problems but theirI learned you can start a film project with a big need to tell.group of people who all have different thoughtsand still have a result everyone likes. Sure a lot I realized that my actions can beof the stuff we did was horribly cheesy, but that significant in this world.made it sort of great. Active Rainbow meantfamily to me.Everyday I feel the aftertaste ofborders crossed, self-inflictedlimitations let go. The pursuit ofyourself. Anna, Greece For me Active Rainbow was the proof that people in this world are just one huge family. Now after the exchange I can say that this was a marvelous experience for me. I shared time, food, knowledge, feeilings and thoughts with a lot of people. I realized that my actions can be significant in this world. I am thinking of developing some kind of project in order to share with the rest of the world my experience. More specifically I have realized that all people have many things in common. We share the same fears and hopes. And in some way similar52
Gloria, Bulgaria priority. That is a big step for me, not just thinking this way, but also living it. Thank you!Exploring yourself through the others andlearning from the others by yourself. Commu- Elena, Spainnication is a difficult process and sometimes weforget to be simply there with each other. We Empathy and hummanity are the tools to dealare so busy to answer that we forget to listen. with oppresion and discrimination of diverseThe exchange helped me to understand better identities and sexualities.my feelings and to look inside myself and alsoto understand that, firstly, people need to belistened - it doesn’t matter if we understandthem, their feelings, their problems but theirneed to tell.Eva, GreeceActive Rainbow was a fulfilling experience forme. It inspired me to be more creative in mywork and spread the message of love andequality to as many people as possible.Exploring yourself through the oth-ers and learning from the others byyourself.We are so busy to answerthat we forget to listen.Anna, Latvia Egle, LithuaniaIt was a big challenge for me to be there. 10 During the exchange I was able to identify mydays is a long time, but it flew by so quickly. The own personal strengths and weaknesses andexperiences I had definitely will stay with me to recognize discrimination experienced byforever and the people, of course. I met some vulnerable groups in society. I have also learnedamazing people with some who I still carry on about various creative means of expression,having conversations with, sadly no longer in which could be used to promote respect forreal life, but facebook is a good platform. I love fundamental human rights.referring to some moments from the exchange, In participating in the youth exchange programit seems like yesterday, it seems like I will return I also had an opportunity to explore historicthere someday with all the amazing people LGBT* city sites, talk with the residents ofthat I met. I definitely became more accepting Amsterdam and city guests, and film a videoof myself in many ways. Not just in the project,I feel like the biggest differences came after Our lives are full of choices. Mostit when I analyzed everything that happened. of them we are just too scared toI feel more comfortable with who I am and acceptexpressing that to other people. I care less aboutwhat other people think of me, I put myself as a 53
clip, asking passers-by about their notions of Petya, Bulgaria happiness and fulfillment. During the exchange I improved my teamwork skills in organizing Active Rainbow was to me a one of a kind social special workshops on LGBT* human rights experiment which proved beyond doubt that we issues. create the change we want to see in the world through our actions and our zeal. It brought It shined so bright that it healed us, together so much diversity, all the colours of took away the darkness and gave the rainbow were amalgamated to create a light us hope for the future. that shined over all the prejudice and bigotry of the world that we were so used to. It shined so Alessandro, Italy bright that it healed us, took away the darkness and gave us hope for the future. In these 10 A complex and intense experience with beatiful days we created the society we’d like to live in and colorful people! and convinced ourselves that there is a better world waiting for us, if we stay true to ourselves. Nadina, Latvia This unique combination of people was a true inspiration - so passionate, so clever and so Before I came I had nothing to do with this topic determined. People that were, at worst, over- in my daily life. I had no experience in this field. whelmed by their own goodness. We laughed, And that was the reason why I came – I wanted we cried, we dreamed and took action. This to develop my knowledge about this. Of course, whole experience created the message I want to learn something new as well. to pass on to the rest of society in hopes that it When I came I saw people. The same as me. will make more people open their eyes, minds During the project it made me thought how and hearts. Accept and embrace the diversity, people are treated in society. If you are not like because the only identity you own is yours. the majority, you are nothing - you are excluded. And for what? For seeing things widely? For be- ing open-minded? For being comfortable with yourself? The problem is – people are trying to avoid what they can`t understand. They are not even trying. And that is how our society is living. And people I met in Active Rainbow project – it`s amazing how in couple of days you can get such good friends. And then it`s not important – what is your sexual orientation, who are you in society, what is your religion or from where you are coming from. You are getting to know the person not the background. It comes itself. And it is up to you to accept it or not. Our lives are full of choices. Most of them we are just too scared to accept, because we are always thinking what others will think. But it is not about them. It is about ourselves. It is the thing we always need to remember!54
Modesta, Lithuania Elen, LithuaniaDuring the exchange, I had the opportunity to During the exchange, I learned about variousparticipate in a wide variety of workshops, which working practices, which can be used both forbroadened my perspective, gave a chance to organizing and participating in various work-learn about different people and working prac- shops, had the opportunity to practice publictices, and inspired me for the future work. speaking and teamwork skills.Erianna, GreeceThe days have passed and now I can still feel the energy I got from every experienced lived duringAR project present. Those days made me stronger and more conscious, made me feel free to beactive and interactive. It was the crucial button I was waiting to push to get in a fresh new world. I amnot embarrassed anymore of showing aspects of myself, including my vulnerable ones. So for thisreason I am sharing my testimonial in my own way, the one that right now I prefer • here it is;Strange,I am a strange among strangersSome of us are blond, some of us are brownDespite everything, we are all world’s pacersWe ‘ve arrived here or there under a snowy cloudFirst hours with a group of new people in my lifeand I feel them like they are my birthday’s groundThe rocks and soil, the trees I smell since the day I was given the paradise’s knifeare blossoming inside my heart• a treasure is here to be foundThe sun started to fill us with warmthand my body since then has been released of shadows and mind tiesSome of us feel red, some of us feel greenWe are diving into an ocean full of corals, hesitations and pinkWe can fearlessly now let our greatness to be seenOut of our comfort zones getting stained with mud and inkWe ‘ve let our souls free to learn the unknown, grow next to each otherSo my spirit flourished when the rainbow suddenly appearedIt reflected into my eyes, ready to share its glow with any passenger, friend or loverI am standing here and there, creator of my own life and fulfillmentEvery fear disappeared. 55
INTER-ACTIVE LOVE: VideoCampaignEITHER ALL OR NONE WATCH VIDEO56
Inter-active Love :either all or nonevideo campaign produced by Active rainbow participants 6.179 18.598 views Reached 57 246 767 82AR FB likes AR FB shares fb post VIMEO VIEWS engagement 445 47 275 LIKES COMMENTS SHARESYou’re our target and We want to share with you our Inter-Active Love : Either All oryou can’t ignore us. We video that we made as members None is a video campaign createdexist. We’re spreading of Active Rainbow Project 2016. by participants of the Active Rain-our message. We are all here in a world that bow Project, which took place we can make it better, if only we between 15th - 24th of February would share the message that 2016, at Olde Vechte Foundation, everyone is so unique. In the end Ommen, The Netherlands. love is always love. 57
Follow-Up implementation of workshops by participants & partner organizations “Connection bridge” Our goal was to give participants a chance to reflect Pasaka (Fairytale) on their communication “habits”/styles, to find for themselves how they can make communication WORKSHOP with others more effective. For us, we missed each other and tried to have fun. I think we did well. 4th Sexuality Festival The purpose was to spend some quality time with58 our community and have fun and we really did! This workshop was much better, everyone were so engaged in creating the fairytales and drawing and that was a success. Through this follow up workshop, we wanted to spread the message for social inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people and also to inform people about privilege and discrimination. I believe we achieved the purpose, mostly because people who came were interested about the subject even though most of them did not belong to the LGBTQIA+ community and didn’t have a lot of information before about sexual orientation and gender identity. Our purpose was to make people look at things from a different perspective, be more open minded and experience discrimination in a safe space, so that they can understand how some groups of people are privileged and some others not so much. Another goal of course, was to make people have fun. I think we were able to achieve our goals at a great extent. After all the activities we were having discussions with the participants about how they experienced the whole process and most of them found it very interesting and enlightening. We had people of different age groups (some of them were even 70 years old) and sexual orientations, so I think
we managed to show them different points of view. What is ARTWe hoped for more people to attend, but for those RAINBOW DAYwho attended, it was very valuable in the end, since Trans and inter sexthe information which was shared was new to them awareness journeyand clarified very well. Culture Night: PakistanWe hoped for more people to attend, but for thosewho attended, it was very valuable in the end, sincethe information which was shared was new to themand clarified very well.The purpose was to put ourselves in the game, tryto show what we learned during the Project andinvolve, give info and tell people something thatthey didn’t know. We achieved this purpose.The team put all the efforts on making the activitiesunderstandable and to create a great atmospherefor children to feel comfortable to share and reflectas a group.The idea was to talk about Pakistani culture, inrelation to general LGTBQIA+ themes, to and withpeople of Pakistani background, and those whoare/aren’t and are interested/educated on thesetopics. To ever so slightly uncover the possible veilthat could rest on the questions surrounding thistheme. And to portray an actual view of life withinsaid community in Pakistan. Of course, there wasnot nearly enough time to delve as deep as onewould have perhaps liked to, but we got the point ofconversation across, so in that sense it is a success.We discussed how LGBTQIA+ people are represent- Queer imagesed in the media in Romania: newspapers and TV. in the mediaAnd also in United States, in movies and TV series.And we also had a practical activity, for the partici-pants to create their own media representation ofLGBTQIA+ people, how they imagine it.FULL INFO ABOUT FOLLOW-UP HERE 59
Partner organizations National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL ad- Ticket2Europe is an NGO established in 2015 and vocates for the rights of LGBT* individuals in based in Pontevedra, Spain. From the beginning, Lithuania. LGL fights against homophobia and the aim of the organization has been to empow- transphobia, discrimination and social exclu- er and support youngsters on their search for sion and it is inclusive of all sexual orientations, future opportunities in two different ways. gender identities, and expressions within its advocacy work. On one hand, it focuses its work on spreading dif- ferent types of academic and professional opportu- LGL has been registered with the national authorities nities around Europe (scholarships, internships, job in 1995, thus rendering it one of the most mature vacancies, grants, Erasmus+ projects). The target NGOs in the country. In addition to this, LGL is the sole group being youngsters aged 18 to 35 years old, the civil society organization in Lithuania that is working organization puts exclusively on LGBT* issues. special attention to the use of social media though The main objectives of the organization are as follow: their website www.ticket2europe.eu and social (1) to challenge the application of the “anti-gay pro- networks (Facebook and Twitter, mainly) to present paganda” legislation (2) to introduce comprehensive and spread the activities. procedures on legal gender recognition and medical gender reassignment; (3) to introduce legal recogni- On the other hand, Ticket2Europe also manages tion of same-sex relationships through the registered numerous educational, training and social projects at partnership scheme. different levels (local, regional, national and interna- tional), aiming at improving the competences (that is LGL is open to everyone despite their age, sex, to say, knowledge, skills and attitudes) of youngsters background etc., however, our organization seeks to from different communities towards topics such involve and encourage participation of LGBT youth as human rights, social inclusion, peace building, and youth in whole in organization activities. We LGBTQIA+ rights, conflict resolution, youth employ- believe that learning from each other and exchange ability, entrepreneurship and many others. of knowledge is very important for changes in society to happen. This is why upon the initiative by the The main mission of the organization is to open up organization, the sole LGBT* community center in new paths and possibilities for young people, always the country was established in Vilnius in 2005. In making a strong effort to contribute to the 2015 more than 50 events took place in the LGBT* construction and development of the European center and the total number of participants within identity and active citizenship. these activities amounts to app. 1000 individuals. More information on LGL and its activities can be found on website.60
Vagamondo is an informal group founded in Hellezic Youth Participation (based in Ath-September 2013 in the town of Roletto, Italy, by ens, Greece) stands for intercultural dialogue,young people coming from different associations non-formal education, mutual understandingand work experiences related with youngsters and solidarity.(involvement in youth organization in Italy andabroad, schools and social services). The main aim of the group is to inspire and stimulate European citizens to become active parts of their localThe vision of the group is to contribute to the and European community. We wish to motivate youngevelopment of our society and to promote the values people to become involved and to raise awarenessof equality, freedom and care for the environment. about current values like equal opportunities, socialBased on these values the target group of Vagamon- inclusion and cultural diversity. Through our projectsdo’s activities is youngsters (province of Torino and we aim at the promotion of non-formal differentiatedPiedmont region at first) with fewer opportunities. learning and the importance of personal development.Especially the ones who drop out of school, coming HYP is active on a local, national and European level.from broken families, facing geographical isolation,social exclusion, discrimination based on country of The main activities of the organization are to organizeorigin, religion, sexual orientation and self expression trainings and sessions with young people throughor having disabilities. As contribution to society’s non-formal education techniques. We organizedevelopment we consider the employability level as projects of different disciplines to make sure thata dominant element. Therefore our activities aim to everyone is involved.create learning and growing opportunities for young-sters in order to give them the chance to increase More specifically, we organize seminars to addresscompetences that are needed in order to enter the the constant raise of racism and stereotyping inlabor market. Youngsters with fewer opportunities Athens. From the first years of our establishment,are the ones who are more exposed to the risk of HYP organized a 3-day conference in Athens aboutunemployment, that’s why we choose to focus first of democracy and non-formal education called “Identify.all on that target group: to fill the gap they accumulat- Realize. Change”. This conference was as a follow-uped with the ones who had more opportunities in life. activity of a Youth in Action 1.3 project about democracy, held in Kaunas, Lithuania.Vagamondo is part of the International SynergyNetwork [https://web.facebook.com/groups/Inter- This seminar has inspired us to work in differentnationalSynergyGroup/]: a group of more than 25 aspects of human rights such as the rights of peopleorganizations and informal groups based in different that are discriminated due to their sex, race, age,European countries which share similar visions and sexuality and origin. We have a constant collaborationvalues that connect in the general vision: to create a with the Municipality of Athens which supports ourworld out of love and care which works for everyone. initiatives.The network is coordinated by Olde Vechte Foundation(Netherlands), it has a strong focus on coaching andself-coaching and a specific methodology based onnon-formal and informal education which have beendeveloped during the past 15 years. 61
ACCEPT is a human rights organization and the Association of LGBT and their friends MOZAIKA is first Romanian non-governmental organization a membership=based organization, with a board that defends and promotes the rights of LGBT elected by the general assembly. persons at national level. It was founded in 2006 and is currently the only The Association’s mission is to improve the situation non-profit NGO in Latvia working in the field of LGBT of LGBT people in the Romanian society, to decrease rights. The organization has grown from 16 founders the level of discrimination and stigmatization for this in 2006 to more than 150 members in 2014, currently group and, at the same time, to advocate for equal employing 4 people within various projects. rights for all Romanian citizens. Our main objectives consist of the following: MOZAIKA has established itself as an advocacy and lobbying organization as well as the community -Defending, by all legal means, the persons whose building and strengthening force. Since 2009 fundamental rights and liberties, as guaranteed by MOZAIKA has a strategic partnership agreement with the Romanian Constitution and the international Amnesty International. treaties ratified by Romania, were infringed upon - Educating the public and the media on LGBTs MOZAIKA’S main goals : -Organizing activities to promote the observance of - Harmonization of Latvian laws with the International the rights and liberties of LGBT people;= standards in the area of human rights and - increasing group solidarity among the LGBT fundamental freedoms community members - Raising society’s awareness and promoting - Collaborating with other organizations that promote education and information about various sexual the rights of minorities. orientations and gender identities and gender identity expressions ACCEPT was officially registered as a nongovern- - Creating per-requisites for ending discrimination on mental organization in 1996, when homosexuality the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity was still criminalized in Romania. We have therefore and expression been in existence for an average 20 years. - Promoting gender equality - Promoting society’s awareness and understanding of various family models and promoting their legal recognition62
Bulgarian Youth Association is a Youth non-prof- Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to supportit/non-governmental organization established education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Itsin Sofia, Bulgaria in 2014 when a group of young budget of €14.7 billion will provide opportunitiespeople decided to unite their efforts for causes for over 4 million Europeans to study, train gainthat are important to all of us, although we come experience, and volunteers abroad.from different backgrounds. Set to last until 2020, Erasmus+ doesn’t just haveThe idea of this organization is to be the point from opportunities for students. Merging seven priorwhich to obtain a common vision for the important programmes, it has opportunities for a wide variety ofaspects of our lives. We wanted it to be the means individuals and organisations.by which our ideas are born, to materialize, to seethe real result. Because we realized that an idea will Detailed information on these opportunities, inludingnever see the light of the day, if you do not find a eligiblity criteria, is available in the Erasmus+collaborator who believes in it, supports it and gives it Programme Guide. An indicative funding guide forthe strength to survive. some centralised opportunities is also available. Erasmus+ has opportunities for people of all ages,Bulgarian Youth Association aims to support the helping them develop and share knowledge andactive involvement of young people in various areas experience at institutions and organisations inof public life; to promote personal development different countries.and democratic citizenship, volunteering and youthmobility; sport and healthy lifestyle; to support the Erasmus+ has opportunities for a wide range ofdevelopment of the abilities and potential of young organisations, including universities, education andpeople from different social and ethnic groups, and training providers, think-tanks, researchyoung people with disabilities. The path to this is organisations, and private businesses.participation in various national and internationalprojects, implementation of joint activities in Click here to find more information.partnerships with other organizations or networks;organizing advocacy campaigns; development andimplementation of strategies and programs at local,national and international level. Members of theorganization are involved in developing, evaluatingand managing various programs and projects in thesocial sector, education and the media.One of the main priorities of the Bulgarian YouthAssociation is developing international partnershipswith similar organizations, active exchange of ideasand best practices, creating a rich network of Europeanpartners. We stand for the basic human rights andfollow the European motto “Unity in Diversity” bypromoting European values. We want to be thechange for a better future, it’s up to all of us! Ourmotto is VIA JUVENIS (The path of youth, The way ofthe young). 63
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