The LGBTQIA!+ project aimed to foster greater social inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals across partner countries and the EU. Our intention was to empower LGBTQIA+ youth and activists, enhance public support, and promote safe spaces for self-expression. We focused on increasing the community’s capacity to act as agents of change—by giving voice to their needs and advocating for inclusive policy-making. The project aspired to build bridges between grassroots action, civil society, and institutional frameworks. In doing so, we sought to encourage the development of participatory, bottom-up strategies aligned with EU values on equality and human rights. We also aimed to cultivate self-confidence, a sense of initiative, and social entrepreneurship within the LGBTQIA+ youth, using advocacy and creative expression as tools for civic engagement. Another goal was to raise awareness and support from the wider public by fostering informal networks based on trust and mutual respect. Ultimately, we wanted to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices, promote intercultural understanding, and inspire inclusive social change.
We applied for this project in response to the urgent social and psychological needs experienced by LGBTQIA+ individuals across Europe. Research shows that this population faces health inequalities rooted in systemic stigma, discrimination, and human rights violations (Healthy People, 2020). The minority stress model explains how chronic exposure to prejudice—both external (violence, discrimination) and internal (self-stigma, fear of rejection)—leads to mental health risks such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation (Meyer, 2013). These challenges are worsened in countries with lower human rights standards, such as Italy and Poland (ILGA-Europe, 2021), where youth report high concealment of identity and low trust in public institutions. Our project addresses the need to build resilience, community empowerment, and inclusive spaces where LGBTQIA+ youth can thrive. We respond to four core needs: (a) mental health risks due to exclusion, (b) low self-esteem and social recognition, (c) identity concealment from fear, and (d) lack of hope and civic empowerment. The project transforms these needs into concrete goals for action, contributing to long-term inclusion.