Project profile — Connecting Voices for LGBTQI Socio Economic Inclusion and Human Rights in Asia

• Asia, regional (100.00%)

• Government And Civil Society, General: Human rights (15160) (25.00%)
• Social/welfare services:
Social/welfare services (16010) (25.00%)
Social Dialogue (16080) (25.00%)
• Other Multisector: Multisector education/training (43081) (25.00%)

• Gender equality (principal objective)
• Participatory development and good governance (significant objective)
• Youth Issues (significant objective)

This project aims to support the gender equality and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) persons in Asia. It increases the capacity of local LGBTQI organizations working with marginalized and vulnerable groups from the LGBTQI communities in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Philippines and Thailand, and builds their relationships with other communities across the countries in which they work. This project is helping the LGBTQI organizations, including women-led lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (LBTQ) women organizations, to become more established to sustainably deliver appropriate services and support to LGBTQI persons. Project activities include: (1) conducting organizational development assessments and tailored-fit training on project management, lobbying and advocacy, resource mobilization and human rights and gender equality (funded by sub-grants) aimed at improving skills and knowledge of LGBTQI organizations; (2) providing technical organizational advisory to support registration of unregistered organizations, and development of strategies, operational manuals and other internal policies that could contribute to the LGBTQI organizations’ long-term sustainability; (3) connecting sub-national, national and regional LGBTQI organizations through national and regional events, and platforms for LGBTQI movement building. The project directly supports 16 LGBTQI organizations through sub-grants, helps increase organizational capacity and sustainability of at least 300 LGBTQI organization representatives and leaders (50% are women) of 50 LGBTQI organizations.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved organizational management, programming and sustainability of 15 LGBTQI organizations and one regional organization to advance gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in targeted countries in the Indo-Pacific region; and (2) improved effectiveness of platforms, advocacy, networks and alliances of 15 LGBTQI organizations and one regional organization in influencing gender-responsive socioeconomic policies and programs.

Results achieved as of March 2025: (1) provided funding support through sub-grants to 16 LGBTQI+ organizations (1 regional, 5 national and 10 sub-national) to support organizational improvement. This includes direct support to 5 women-led lesbian, bisexual women, transgender women and queer women organizations; (2) supported LGBTQI+ organizations to develop key organizational policies and operations manual; (3) delivered organizational diagnostic assessments and training needs analysis to the 5 country sites that informed designing and implementing national workshops for over 50 LGBTQI+ organization with more than 100 participants (50% women); (4) increased LGBTQI+ organizations' opportunity to engage in dialogue and advocate for LGBTQI+ inclusion, gender equality and human rights; (5) assisted 3 small LGBTQI+ organizations register their entity as legal organizations or foundations; and (6) organized partnership-building meetings and 4 regional learning sessions that helped create inclusive alliances, share knowledge, and develop collective advocacy frameworks. These efforts aim to enhance grassroots organizations’ networking capacity to engage in national movements for gender equality and LGBTQI+ rights.

• Proactive disclosure