ZMINA conducted advocacy training for LGBTQI+ communities and allies in Kyiv

On August 1, Kyiv hosted the training “Advocacy campaign: how to be successful in conditions of constant change” for the LGBTQI+ community, as well as allies, organized by the Human Rights Centre ZMINA.

The event was attended by representatives of non-governmental organizations “Alliance.Global”, “LGBT Association “Liga”, “Spectrum Kharkiv”, “Gender Stream”, “Fight For Right”, Bureau “We=are!”, “Ukrainian Feminist network”, “12.12”, CO “100% of life”, and the Charitable fund “Country Good Will”.

The one-day training was conducted by the advocacy trainer Oleksandr Solontai, an expert from the Institute of Political Education, and head of the NGO “Agency for Reconstruction and Development”.

This was the third training within the framework of the project “United for Democracy: Strengthening Inclusion in Ukraine” implemented by the Human Rights Centre ZMINA with the support of the international organization Freedom House. The first two trainings took place in Lviv.

During the training, participants learned to conduct advocacy campaigns, create coalitions and communicate with opponents, work with authorities at various levels. The trainer paid special attention to practical cases, as well as to the development of strategic thinking in the audience.

“Coach Oleksandr Solontai has his own extensive experience of working both in local self-government bodies and in the public sector. His theoretical information is reinforced with real examples, successful cases and practical advice. Our trainings are a powerful reinforcement of LGBTQI+ communities, as well as their allies. After such educational events, activists can defend their interests more professionally, and thus become stronger and more visible,” says Iryna Yuzyk, project manager of the Human Rights Centre ZMINA.

“It was intense, dynamic and daring,” one of the participants shared his impressions.