Context The project aims to equip professionals in Europe with the necessary resources as to be able to cope with the online technologies and social distancing to better serve the excluded LGBTQI population as a result of the new situation that emerged from COVID-19 crisis. This is a novel situation for the whole world, to which our proposed action will attempt to respond by using innovative tools and practices that exploit the benefits of ICT solutions in times when social distancing and all other precautionary measures are at the top of the EU’s priorities. RAINBO aims: a. To support professionals, relief aid officers, social workers, mental health, health care providers on how to better include intersectionality and LGBTQI perspectives in their activities b. To enhance their acquisition of digital competences and enable to incorporate in their work do delivery high quality and inclusive support in order to meet the needs of LGBTQI beneficiaries c. To create an incentive for VET, adult education, professionals, and stakeholders to adopt the project approach after project closure d. To strengthen transnational learning and cooperation’s networks of institutions, CSO’s, public bodies/services, community centers, helplines, professionals and foster social inclusion and equality, ensuring that LGBTQI people is included in all health, humanitarian and economic relief efforts -To raise awareness of medical and mental health inequalities faced by the LGBTQI community RAINBO project will be implemented in 5 countries, (UK, Greece, Portugal, Luxembourg, Netherlands). Target groups: a) professionals supporting LGBTQI such as youth workers, community mediators, humanitarians’ officers, health care providers, medical personnel, mental health professionals, social workers, helplines officers, counselors, and volunteers etc. b) LGBTQI people will be the secondary target group and the end beneficiaries of the project activities. The project is expected to deliver: -VET programme for 100 professionals in order to a) improve their knowledge in LGBTQI medical and mental health issues and under the lens of intersectionality; b) acquire the appropriate digital competences for providing support in social distancing context c) contribute to the elimination of biases and stereotypes for sexual and gender minorities and ensure that LGBTQI people is included in all health, humanitarian and economic relief efforts. - Increased transferability of the project outputs and results for professionals, stakeholders, CSO’s, health care providers, etc on how to better include intersectionality and LGBTQI perspectives in their activities. -An e-learning platform in order to a) facilitate the VET programme for practitioners b) raise awareness about the project & disseminate all project material, c) motivate professionals and VET providers to use the project’s products. -A sound and updated report in order to a) explore the specific inequalities that LGBTQI individuals faced in their countries under COVID 19 crisis and b) the level of professionals’ digital competences, in order to perform their obligations and providing adequate services. - Strengthen the links between the consortium members, VET and educational stakeholders in the one hand and organisations supporting human rights and LGBTQI rights and fighting stigma and discrimination on the other hand. -5 open days will be organised in the participating countries, the UK, Greece, Portugal, Luxemburg, and Netherlands for promoting the project and its results. -3 online workshops for VET and adult education providers will be organized in the participating countries, Greece, Portugal, and Luxemburg. - An international conference will be organized, in the UK to present the project and its outputs to interested stakeholders. -Enhanced know-how of all participating project team members on practices, terms and tools for promoting LGBTQI inclusion in their work cycle. -All participating partners will enhance their relationships with CSOs and LGBTQI associations and networks, stakeholders at the national and EU level. Long terms benefits -The professionals in Europe will be equipped with the necessary resources to be able to cope with the online technologies and social distancing to better serve the excluded LGBTQI population as a result of the new situation that emerged from COVID-19 crisis. -The level of services provided to LGBTQI can be elevated and the organizations and institutions providing such services will be enhanced. -Increased awareness of the public on the power and importance of how to better serve the excluded LGBTQI people and elimination of stereotypes and biases.
The project aimed to equip professional across Europe with the necessary resources to be able to cope with the online technology of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This specifically was aimed at those excluded from the population, in the LGBTQI+ communities. The main aims for the project were: a. To support professionals, relief aid officers, social workers, mental health, health care providers on how to better include intersectionality and LGBTQI perspectives in their activities. b. To enhance their acquisition of digital competences and enable to incorporate in their work do delivery high quality and inclusive support in order to meet the needs of LGBTQI beneficiaries. c. To create an incentive for VET, adult education, professionals, and key stakeholders to adopt the project approach after project closure. d. To strengthen transnational learning and cooperation’s networks of institutions, CSO’s, public bodies/services, community centres, helplines, professionals and foster social inclusion and equality, ensuring that LGBTQI people is included in all health, humanitarian and economic relief efforts.
The project was initially created for the benefit of LGBTQI+ individuals across Europe, and the world. One of the partnership had understood through speaking with their communities that during COVID-19, many LGBTQI+ individuals felt unable to keep up with social circles, and so became isolated. The needs that we looked at was to address and increase the ability of LGBTQI+ individuals in digital skills, by offering the service provider to LGTBQI+ individuals with the new training techniques. It was understood that by providing this to providers, the project could be much sustainable and impact on many more individuals then just for those LGBTQI+ individuals. The project also covered various aspects of challenges and good practices for providers to be able to understand how to work with LGBTQI+ individuals, whether it be terminology, methodology or good practices available. All of this was to be available on an online platform which could then be disseminated amongst providers of LGBTQI+ individuals, whether it be in healthcare or any other type of LGBTQI+ business or group. The impact of this project can be ten fold as it is a free website/training platform that can be access by all from any parts of Europe and the world.