Good Practice: Im­prov­ing ser­vice pro­vi­sions for LGB­TIQ+ per­sons on the move in the West­ern Balkans

Within the project, various challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move were addressed, mainly focusing on the lack of tailor-made services and comprehensive support. These challenges appeared from the limited capacities, knowledge, and skills among service providers, as well as the lack of awareness among LGBTIQ+ people on the move, and limited coordination between CSOs working in the field.

Various activities have been conducted to support two specific goals:

1. The establishment a culture of confidentiality and acceptance of diversity in reception centers and
2. The facilitation of structured interaction, coordination and capacity building among organizations working in the field of asylum and migration and/ or rights of LGBTIQ+ persons.

To achieve the project objective, three sets of activities were carried out. The first set of activities focused on direct assistance and the creation of more receptive and welcoming spaces within reception centers. The main partners have been the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia (CRMRS) and CSOs Youth Initiatives for Human Rights and Altero. Regular visits to 2 reception centers in Serbia (Krnjaca and Obrenovac) have been organized, and a total of 28 workshops were conducted with 299 participants were involved. The workshop design included 2 different methodologies: human rights-based education and art education. Therefore, the workshop design, implementation experience and learnings of implementing CSO partner organization are summarized within the report "Analysis on the state of art of LGBTIQ+ issues in two camps in Serbia with recommendations". Before piloting a project there have been very limited activities or organizations providing LGBTIQ+ support and sensitive education within reception centers.

The second group of activities focused on enhanced knowledge, coordination, and networking among CSOs that provide the support, with Belgrade Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) being the main implementing partner for this activity. The most prominent result was the establishment of the Rainbow Migration Network (RMN) comprised of 16 CSOs assisting LGBTQ+ persons and/or refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move.

The third line of action was the organization of the regional conference- United Voices: LGBTIQ+ Refugees Networking and Protection Needs was organized in Belgrade to share the information on the project and topics with main partners in Serbia, and in the region.

Conducting workshops in reception centers has allowed participants to actively shape topics they wanted to explore, thus providing space for continuous assessment and adaption. The inclusion of these activities not only achieved the primary goal of initiating discussions but also proved important for individuals in reception centers, offering them an opportunity to engage with diverse topics and be in contact with an organization able to provide referrals and advice.

In addition, the establishment of the Rainbow Migration Network has led to the creation of a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and coordination among member organizations, with more comprehensive and effective service provision to LGBTIQ+ refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move. Thus, facilitating a more comprehensive and cohesive approach to addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by them. Also, it brings together diverse organizations working on different aspects of LGBTIQ+ rights and support, which allows for a more holistic understanding. 

There were also some limitations in fully addressing complex topics within the workshops in reception centers, such as high transit of people, different participants in workshops, and significant cultural differences. Additionally, disparity in the level of support from camp managers in establishing contact with refugees. Lastly, short time frame for pilot implementation, particularly in terms of building alliances and promoting the issue of LGBTIQ+ inclusion among state service providers.

1. To secure funding of LGBTIQ+ specific services, particularly through the comprehensive work of the Rainbow Migration Network.
2. Work on community outreach and support and organization of occupational trust-building activities and workshops in reception and asylum centers.
3. Conduct educational workshops to promote understanding and acceptance of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).
4. Further support implementation and promotion of referral system to connect LGBTIQ+ refugees with specialized services and resources outside reception and asylum centers.
5. Support in engaging in targeted advocacy efforts to influence policies and practices that affect LGBTIQ+ refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move.
6. Support peer exchange with other organizations and/or networks, especially those operating in the Western Balkans region or with LGBTIQ+ refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move.
7. Provide ongoing training and capacity development opportunities for key stakeholders to enhance their knowledge and skills in supporting the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons.