In implementing the project, we primarily wanted to achieve an increase in the competence of educational staff, psychologists, educators and social workers who work directly with youth and children. The aim of the project was to develop a comprehensive program of workshops on the prevention of discrimination, the prevention of peer violence and psychological support for young people, especially LGBT+ people. We also aim to exchange experiences and mutual learning between our partner from Italy and an organization from Poland, so that the developed method can be implemented permanently and serve a wide audience.
We applied for this project because we saw an important need to address discrimination against LGBT+ youth in educational and child-rearing environments in both Poland and Italy. Survey data showed that LGBT+ youth experienced psychological abuse, exclusion and lack of support, which contributed to emotional problems such as depression and suicidal thoughts. We recognized that the key to improving the situation was to increase the competence of the teaching staff, psychologists, educators and social workers who work with youth and children on a daily basis. Therefore, the project responded to the need for an innovative, comprehensive program of workshops, consultations with experts and promotional activities to enable better support for people at risk of discrimination and influence the development of an accepting environment.