Dublin-based LGBT+ organisations that provide services nationally to Ireland’s LGBT+ youth have been awards funding of €40,000 in total as part of the LGBTI+ Youth Strategy.
The funding under the grant scheme for LGBT+ Capacity Building initiatives for professional service providers in helping young people was announced by the Minister for Children, Katerine Zappone.
The Strategy was developed in association with a Youth Advisory Group, which included young people who could bring the reality they face every day at home, in their schools and communities to bear.
There are 15 objectives and 59 direct actions listed in the Strategy to achieve these goals, and Minister Zappone said that each of the government departments is on board for its implementation.
Recipients of the funding are LGBT Ireland, EPIC, TENI, Youth Work Ireland and BeLonG To.
LGBT Ireland is a national support service for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people and their families and friends.
EPIC (Empowering People in Care) advocates for the rights of children and young adults in the care system and aftercare and enable their voice to influence positive change in their circumstances and the care system.
TENI seeks to improve the situation and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families.
Youth Work Ireland and BeLonG To help young LGBT+ people across the country. As part of Dublin Pride 2019, over 500 LGBT+ young people from across Ireland will march under the banner ‘Transforming Young LGBT+ Lives’ alongside BeLonG To Youth Services and Youth Work Ireland.
Member of the Board of LGBT Ireland and Human Rights Lawyer Deirdre Duffy welcomed the announcement:
She said: “As a board member of LGBT Ireland, I may be accused of bias as I know of all their amazing work.
“But I am really delighted to see this funding for essential LGBTI+ services in Ireland.”
She continued: “The national organisations based in Dublin Central which will receive funding are LGBT Ireland, EPIC, TENI, Youth Work Ireland and BeLonG To.
“And they each deserve every penny, if not more; we cannot underestimate the need for these support services.
“Many think everything was solved for LGBTI+ young people in Ireland after the passing of marriage equality, but here is still a long way to go.”
The National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy can be read here.
© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
Support GCN
GCN has been a vital, free-of-charge information service for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.
During this global COVID pandemic, we like many other organisations have been impacted greatly in the way we can do business and produce. This means a temporary pause to our print publication and live events and so now more than ever we need your help to continue providing this community resource digitally.
GCN is a registered charity with a not-for-profit business model and we need your support. If you value having an independent LGBTQ+ media in Ireland, you can help from as little as €1.99 per month. Support Ireland’s free, independent LGBTQ+ media.
comments. Please sign in to comment.