Solidarni Balqan

Full project title: BALQAN – Bridges And Links, Queer Activism Now!
Project duration: 1 August 2025 – 31 December 2026

The project is aimed at LGBTIQ+ young people with origins in Western Balkan countries who live in Slovenia, and at strengthening solidarity and connections within the wider LGBTIQ+ community. It stems from the fact that many young people from the Balkans in Slovenia continue to experience discrimination, exclusion and a sense of disconnection – both in wider society and within LGBTIQ+ spaces.

The project creates safe and supportive spaces where young people can connect, share experiences of migration, coming out, living “between cultures”, and strengthen their confidence and sense of belonging. Particular emphasis is placed on overcoming stigma, internalised prejudice and isolation, and on building new community connections.

Through the project, we also promote greater social and political participation of LGBTIQ+ young people from the Balkans – from responding to discrimination and hate speech to participating in elections, protests and other forms of activism. The project connects the Slovenian LGBTIQ+ community with human rights struggles in the Western Balkan region and creates space for learning, exchange and cross-border solidarity.

The main project activities include informal gatherings (Špajze), workshops, peer interventions and international networking with LGBTIQ+ organisations from the region.

The project is implemented within the framework of Erasmus+ Youth Participation Activities and is funded by the European Union.