Previous projects
Safety and Equality in Classrooms (2023-2025)
The main goal of the project titled “Safety and Equality in Classrooms” is to enhance inclusion, equality and non-discrimination in education and to ensure support for LGBTIQ+ youth. The project is implemented by Lesbian organization Rijeka – LORI from November 1st 2023 – April 30th 2025 and is financed with the amount of 55.727,59 € in the scope of the Impact4value programme.
Improving psychosocial support for LGBTIQ persons (2024)
Glavni cilj projekta je unapređenje zaštite mentalnog zdravlja LGBTIQ osoba. Projektom se želi osigurati dostupnost psihosocijalne podrške za LGBTIQ osobe, podržati mentalno zdravlje LGBTIQ mladih i unaprijediti sustav psihosocijalne podrške za LGBTIQ osobe u Rijeci. Projektne aktivnosti uključuju: Projekt provodi Lezbijska organizacija Rijeka „LORI“ u razdoblju od 1.1.2024. do 31.12.2024.
From the margins to the focus - Health needs of LBTQ women (2023-2024)
Projekt „S margina u fokus – zdravstvene potrebe LBTQ žena“ je usmjeren na borbu protiv diskriminacije i nejednakosti u zdravstvenom sektoru, posebno vezano za LBTQ žene (lezbijke, biseksualne, transrodne i queer žene). Glavni cilj projekta je poboljšati dostupnost i kvalitetu zdravstvenih usluga za lezbijke, biseksualne i transrodne žene. Ovim projektom povećat će se vidljivost i podići svijest zdravstvenih djelatnika/ica, studenata/ica, donositelja odluka i šire javnosti
Night march: commemorating Women’s Day (2024)
The action is led by Rijeka citizens (hrv.: Građanke i građani Rijeke), an informal initiative that exists since 2018, and Lesbian organisation Rijeka – LORI, from March 2nd to March 31st 2024 in Rijeka. The Night march for March 8th is a protest action aimed to deliver a message on what is necessary to do for preventing gender-based violence, protecting women's rights and reproductive rights, and to mobilize the public.
Youth for Equality (2023)
Project 'Youth for Equality' is conducted by Lesbian Organistion Rijeka - LORI from January 1st, 2023 until the end of December 2023. The project is worth 9.954,21 €, ensured through the financial support of the Central State Office of Demography and Youth. The main objective is reducing violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity against and amongst youth along with ensuring support for LGBTI youth. Target groups are: youth, LGBTI youth, teaching staff, and school professionals.
Youth for LGBTIQ+ Youth (2023)
The project "Youth for LGBTIQ+ Youth" is conducted by the Lesbian Organisation Rijeka - LORI (Project Coordinator) and Norsensus Mediaforum (Norway) from July 26th to October 15th , 2023. The project is worth €5,733.90, supported by the Active Citizens Fund Program in Croatia from the Fund for Bilateral Cooperation. This collaboration is a continuation of the project "Support Inclusive Education - Building a Safe Future"
Queer+ security (2023)
Projekt Queer+ security za cilj ima osigurati temelje za siguran i inkluzivan clubbing te time omogućiti nesmetan razvoj i rast lokalnih LGBTIQ zajednica, kojima je klupski život jedan od temelja formiranja zajedništva. Ideja za projekt je proizašla konstantnog prisustva nasilja i uvreda usmjerenih prema LGBITQ+ osobama u klubovima, koji tek rijetko bivaju prijavljeni.
LGBTIQ Work Equality Alliance (2022–2023)
LGBTIQ Work Equality Alliance project is a continuation of the efforts of Croatian and Slovenian civil society organisations (CSOs), companies and other employers, and trade unions in addressing discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESCE) and promotion of inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people in employment.
Youth Voices for Social Changes (2022-2023)
The project contributes to building the capacity of two civil society organisations (CSOs) in working with youth but it is also focused on improving the skills and knowledge of LGBTI+ youth. In true partnership, this project will bring together young people from Croatia and Slovenia conducting joint activities and raising awareness on the importance of active civic participation of LGBTI+ youth in the community.
SPONA (2022 -2023)
At the end of July 2022, The Ambidexter club, partnered with the Nansen Dialogue centre, the Association of promoting informatics, culture and coexistence IKS, SOS Rijeka- the centre of nonviolence and human rights, Lesbian Organisation Rijeka - LORI and the Association for human rights and civic participation “PaRiter” began implementing project SPONA- solidarity in supporting youth facing the risk of poverty, social exclusion, and violence as well as young people in distressing situations.
Healthy relationships (2022-2023)
Project “Healthy Relationships” lasts from September 1st, 2022 to November 30th, 2023 and it is focused on the key problem of the lack of content from the field of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in school curricula, the lack of recognition of its importance by relevant stakeholders, and the stigma based on inaccurate information that’s surrounding CSE. Key activities are research activities in primary and secondary schools with a focus on elements of CSE, advocacy for the introduction of CSE, and public awareness of the benefits of introducing CSE.
Rainbow Way (2022–2023)
Project ‘Rainbow Way’ is conducted by Project Coordinator Bonsai and partner organisations Rainbow Families and Lesbian Organisation Rijeka – LORI from October 2022 until end of May 2023. Project goals: Strengthening the capacity of LGBTIQ youth in Dubrovnik to realize their civil and human rights, enhancing the competencies of professional staff (schools and organizations) and youth workers on LGBTIQ topics, and providing support to LGBTIQ youth.
Supporting Inclusive Education - Building a Safe Future (2021–2023)
The project contributes to building the capacity of civil society organisations (CSOs) and educational institutions to implement LGBTI human rights education and encourages cross-sectoral cooperation in the implementation of human rights education. It also increases young people's awareness of civic activism and strengthens their capacity for social action and involves them in the work of civil society organisations.
Common Point (2019-2022)
Project Common Point - Innovative approaches to training mental health service providers for the quality support of LGBTQI people lasts from October 1st 2019 until July 31st 2022. Through the exchange of good practices at European level, project aims at developing innovative materials of wide diffusion that gather these experiences and multiply their impact in diverse territorial contexts.
Work Equality for All (2019-2021)
Work Equality for All is project conducted by Expanse of Gender and Media Culture 'Common Zone' (Croatia), Lesbian Organisation Rijeka LORI (Croatia), Stichting Centrum Tûmba (Netherlands) and SOLIDARNA- Foundation for Human Rights and Solidarity (Croatia). Project is based on the results and findings of project Alliance for LGBTI Workplace Equality
P.R.I.D.E. - Promoting Rights, Identity, Diversity and Education (2019-2020)
Together with 7 other organizations from Southern and Eastern Europe, Magnet organisation from Serbia implements the project Promoting Rights, Inclusion, Diversity and Education – P.R.I.D.E., granted by the Serbian Erasmus+ National Agency of Erasmus+ Programme. The aim of the project is to contribute to the effort of citizens and civil society organisations from Eastern and Southern Europe to address the needs of young LGBTQ+ and to decrease bias and discrimination towards them.
Supporting Inclusive Education - Building a Safe Future (2018-2019)
Project ‘Supporting Inclusive Education - Building a Safe Future’ is conducted by Project Coordinator Lesbian Organisation Rijeka – LORI and partner organisations Rainbow Families and Norsensus Mediaforum (Norway) from January 2021 until end of February 2023. Project is worth 129.600,00 €, ensured through financial support of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The overall goal of the project is to strengthen democratic culture and civic awareness by reducing homo/bi/transphobia in the education and to improve the position of LGBTIQ youth.
Not Just Numbers (2017)
Lesbian Organisation Rijeka – LORI participated as a partner organisation in the Erasmus+ project ‘Not just Numbers’. Four LORI activists have attended this international youth worker mobility project aimed at strengthening cooperation and developing capacity of youth organisations in dealing with migration and asylum issues. Eight-day training was organized by CSO StepEurope and carried out in Turku (Finland) from 7th to 15th of December, 2017.
Respect Human Rights – Build Inclusive Society (2015-2017)
„Respect Human Rights – Build Inclusive Society“ is a project mutually conducted by Lesbian Organization Rijeka LORI, Zagreb Pride and Trans Aid. The project lasts for 18 months (from November 2015 until May 2017) and it is financed by European Union. In developing the project plan, each partner’s specific expertise has been applied – LORI’s experience in organizing public actions, campaigns and education, Zagreb Pride’s experience in public advocacy and established cooperation with public institutions, as well as Trans Aid’s knowledge of trans rights which at the moment require special consideration in Croatia.
Alliance For LGBTI Workplace Equality (2015-2017)
„Alliance For LGBTI Workplace Equality“ is a project mutually conducted by Expansion of Gender and Media Culture 'Common Zone', OWID-Organization for Workers' Initiative and Democratization, NGO Dawn and Lesbian Organization Rijeka LORI in collaboration with associations Trans Aid and Zagreb Pride. The project lasts for 18 months (from November 2015 until May 2017) and aims to strengthen the capacities of organizations for human and labor rights with regard to discrimination against LGBTI people on the basis of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation in the workplace.
Compass: Human Rights Training (2016)
Compass: Human Rights Training is an Erasmus+ project intended to educate persons interested in human rights and youth workers educating youngsters on human rights. Eight-day training is organized by CSO StepEurope and carried out in Kaarina (Finland) from 20th to 28th of March, 2016. Training involved 28participants from 7 Erasmus+ Programme countries (Finland, Sweden, Italy, Greece, Romania, UK and Croatia) as well as a team of four trainers/experts and three logistical and management support workers.
For schools without homophobia, transphobia and prejudice (2015-2016)
With the aim of suppression of all the forms of violence based on the sexual orientation and gender identity among youngsters and within the educational institutions, NGOs Zagreb Pride and LORI have initiated the project For schools without homophobia, transphobia and prejudice. Project is financed by the Ministry of Social Policy and Youth of the Government of Croatia and is being carried out from November 2015 to October 2016.
Human Library in Action against Prejudice (2015)
The project Human Library in Action against Prejudice is an innovative, interactive and, until now, little-used concept in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, but also in the whole of Croatia. The project aims to promote and protect human rights, reduce prejudice and foster understanding and tolerance. The Human Library method represents a successful instrument in the promotion of human rights, and its function is twofold. On the one hand, members of vulnerable and stigmatized groups who are involved in the action are given an opportunity for empowerment, as well as an opportunity to become active participants in the creation of a more tolerant society that respects the rights of all citizens. On the other hand, by engaging in the dialogue, Human Library visitors are sensitized and informed: personal approach and experience help change their former views, reduce negative tensions and strengthen their empathy towards others who are different.
Gender equality impact in local communities (2014)
LORI has implemented of the project "Gender equality impact in local communities" with the support of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development. The project was carried out by five NGOs from five different Croatian counties which are covering far geographical points of Croatia and are concerned with different social aspects: NGO LORI – LGBT rights and empowerment of the LGBT community (Primorje-Gorski Kotar County), NGO Zora – human rights and gender equality (Međimurje County), K-zona – gender and media culture (City of Zagreb), Pobjede – protection and promotion of animal rights (Osjek-Baranja County) and NGO Bonsai – development of volunteer practice (Dubrovnik-Neretva County). The main carrier of the project worth 324.953,00 kn was K-Zona, which is the organiser of the Vox Faminae festival in Zagreb every autumn since 2007.
A Different Society is Possible: United for LGBT Equality (2012-2013)
This project was conducted by Zagreb Pride and partner organisations: Domino-Queer Zagreb, Queer Sport Split and Lesbian Organisation Rijeka - LORI. It was financed by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) in order to increase capacities of civil society organisations that work on protecting and promoting LGBT human rights. Project activities are divided into four clusters: research, education, advocacy and direct services for LGBT persons. The target groups were: local LGBT community, general local community and local administration and government bodies.
Reducing homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in secondary schools (2012-)
Since 2012 LORI has led the project Reducing homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in secondary schools, where special emphasis was put on ensuring adequate support for LGBT secondary school students. The main goal of the project is to reduce homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in secondary schools, along with violence based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity and expression among youth and protecting rights of LGBT students. Project acitivites include: educating secondary school staff, creating Guidelines for combating homophobia, transphobia and peer violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, brochure for youth Pay It Forward and holding lectures for secondary school students in Rijeka and its surrounding.
My Journey to TRANScendence (2011-2012)
Project aim was to inform the public on rights of trans persons, problems and discrimination they face in everyday life, and to sensitise the public for better acceptance of trans persons. The project was focused on empowering trans persons and ensuring necessary support for trans community in Croatia and in our wider region. Some activities included creating an informative brochure, a forum-theatre play, gathering of trans persons and a public lecture held in Rijeka.
Capacity building: education of activists for successful Implementation of the organisation's projects and activities (2010-2011)
The aim of this project was to empower LORI (female) activists on implementing the organisation's goals and activities, for better representing the organisation, and to improve the organisation's efficiency in competent and effective carrying out its projects. The project focused on educating women who are new in activism and the improvement of the organisation's work. Educations provided by experts and civil society organisations included topics such as: Project Cycle Management, Writing Project Proposal and Budget, Successful Public Appearance and Presentation, Women's Rights, Internalised Homophobia, etc.
Forum-Theatre in Action - Together Against Prejudice (2009)
Project aim was to ensure respecting human rights and decreasing discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression, and by doing so, creating a more tolerant society. It was conducted by organisations LORI and ALARM with partner organisations Kocka (Rab), Crta (Opatija) and IDEM I JA (Mali Lošinj), and it included creating and performing forum-theatre plays in Rijeka, Mali Lošinj, Rab, Pula, and Opatija. Project was financially supported by Global Fund for Women and City of Rijeka.
Psychological counselling for sexual and gender minorities (2008-)
Within the Programme Psychosocial Support LORI created Psychological Counselling intended for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans persons of all age groups. It offers psychotherapy and counselling to individuals, partners/couples, families and groups. We wish to give LGBT individuals a safe space where they can get advice and support regarding their gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as other specific questions linked to living as a LGBT person, such as: coming out, (internalised) homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, discrimination etc.
Improvement of accessibility and quality of psychosocial services for sexual and gender minorities (2008-2011)
The goal of this project is to achieve quality and a higher level of exercising the right for medical care for members of sexual and gender minorities. LGBTIQ persons are often compelled to live exposed to everyday discrimination and rejection, starting from their families, school, university, workplace, and interpersonal relationships in general. Those experiences cause specific needs for support and counselling, which makes counsellors one of the key factors that can help ensure the general health of the community members. However, it is obvious that advanced training for specialists in order to accept and better understand the needs of the LGBTIQ population, as well as better accessibility of psychosocial services, is needed.
Family Without Prejudice (2007)
The Campaign for increasing acceptance and decreasing discrimination of sexual and gender minorities by their family members.
The purpose of the campaign was to emphasize the main problems LGBT persons encounter within their families; to increase awareness of their family members and parents about the needs of LGBT persons; to encourage better acceptance of LGBT persons within their families, as well as to empower LGBT persons.
Two research were carried out: one within the community, in order to examine experiences of LGBT persons within their families; the other to examine public attitudes towards possible coming out of their children as gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans persons.
Within project, two publications were published: Acceptance of Members of Sexual and Gender Minorities in Their Families Research – Results and To Understand and Support – A Publication for LGBTIQ Population, Their Families, and Friends. During the campaign, open letters to parents and other family members were published in daily and weekly newspapers, on Internet portals, and in the brochure To Understand and Support; a web page was created; workshops were held; and a forum theatre play Will it make a difference when I tell them I'm gay? was created and performed in Rijeka, Zagreb, Pula, and Opatija.
LGBTQ Community Needs Assessment (2006)
This project is the first research in Croatia on this topic. The main goal was to gain a better insight into the needs of LGBTQ persons in Croatia, thus creating recommendations and developing a strategy for future activities on the basis of this research. The research was focused on two main areas: 1. everyday life of LGBTQ persons (in terms of coming out, psychophysical health, acceptance and environment, discrimination, violence etc.), and 2. assessing activities, programs of initiatives /organisations in Croatia, in terms of awareness, quality assessment on how much they respond to the needs of LGBTIQ community, suggestions for advancing these programs, etc.
LBTQ Women and Sexuality (2005-2006)
This project consisted of series of workshops on topics such as emotions, sexuality, safe sex, sexual health, the respect for one's and partner's body, etc. It came from lack of information on sexuality of LBTQ women, and resulted with creating the brochure Mosaique of sexuality.
LGBT and Healthcare (2005)
Creating strategies and policy recommendations for advancing health of LGBTI persons in collaboration with therapists, counsellors and health care providers in public health institutions in Croatia (2005)
This project was implemented by Women's Room from Zagreb and LORI in order to create strategies and recommendations for the improvement of policies in the field of public health of LGBTIQ persons aimed at therapists, counsellors and health care providers in health institutions in Croatia.
Overall aim was to decrease discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression in healthcare and creating a professional and a friendly surrounding where LGBTIQ persons can enjoy their right to health care. A seminar for psychologists on human rights and health issues of the LGBTIQ population was organised within project.
Sensitising the Media Campaign (2004-2005)
LORI's continuous monitoring and analysis of written media during 2001 and 2003 showed that media coverage of LGBT topics is often incorrect and superficial, featuring screaming headlines. The goal of this campaign was to influence the media and the way they cover LGBT topics, which was an indirect way of influencing the society as a whole. This campaign included monitoring of around 145 written media and their way of reporting about LGBTIQ issues, and continuous reaction to negative or untruthful articles. We conducted a research among journalists about their acquaintance with and awareness of LGBT topics and organized meetings with media representatives from the biggest news houses in Croatia in order to point out the treatment of LGBTIQ topics in the media and establish better cooperation with the media.
Additionally, LORI published Handbook “Media and LGBT community” for journalists that deals with the way in which the media report on these topics, gives information necessary to media professionals in order to report more objectively and truthfully, as well as emphasizes the role the media play in the promotion of human rights - rights of LGBTIQ persons. This publication was presented not only to broader public in Rijeka and Zagreb but also to the representatives of 20 biggest written media houses in Croatia.
Apart from educational workshops for journalists, by the end of the campaign LORI organized a three-day seminar for journalists about the relation between the media and human rights, stressing the importance of advocating the rights of LGBTIQ persons as basic human rights.
Education and empowerment of the LGBT community (2003-2004)
During 2003 and 2004, LORI conducted project: Education and empowerment of the LGBT community which consisted of educational workshops meant to empower LGBT persons, as well as of obtaining books and films with LGBTIQ themes.
The workshops that took place were: “Coming Out”, “Self-acceptance”, “Understanding Transgender Identity”, “Self-defense”, “Sexuality”, “Lesbian Relationships”, “Abuse in Lesbian Relationships”, “Internalized Homophobia”, “Why we love ourselves, and why we don’t?”, “Women Trafficking”. “Feminism in our Country”, “Media and Human Rights”, “Intro to Feminism”, “Methods and Techniques of Successful Communication”, “Queer”, “Working/Cooperating with Media” and “History of Homosexuality”.
Written Media on Homosexuality (2003)
In 2001, we started a project in which covered: monitoring the manner in which 11 written media wrote about homosexual topics; establishing cooperation with media workers, activist lobbying in the media, and publishing the brochure Croatian Media About Homosexuality in order to raise their awareness, and through them that of the broader public about the rights of homosexual persons, as well as create an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance of homosexual persons in society.
In 2003, we decided to repeat this project in order to see if there has been any change in the way written media covers homosexuality.
Campaign “Love is love” (2002)
In the times of the Campaign, the rights of LGBTI persons were not protected in Croatia. The law did not prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nor was there any possibility of legally regulating same-sex partnerships. These circumstances resulted in greater social vulnerability of the homosexual population*, as well as increased exposure to violence, stigmatization, discrimination, and social isolation. Through the Campaign to promote the rights of homosexual persons, we aimed to encourage positive change and contribute to the creation of a more tolerant climate and a society in which the rights of all citizens are respected.
The first national campaign of its topic in Croatia, Love is love, aimed to raise the visibility of homosexual persons* in Croatian society, point out the types of discrimination, educate the public and raise its awareness in order to increase the acceptance of homosexual persons*, as well as to advocate the inclusion of anti-discrimination provisions based on sexual orientation into laws. In addition, this campaign supported the initiative to change the Family Act and to have the Same-Sex Union Act passed. The project included educational workshops, promotional materials (jumbo posters, B2 posters, stickers, postcards, leaflets, an educational brochure, key chains, T-shirts), web page designing, questionnaire for political parties, exhibition in Rijeka and Zagreb and the video “Love Is Love”, which was banned from Croatian National Television.
Croatian Media on Homosexuality (2001)
In 2001, LORI conducted a media analysis to examine how Croatian media portray same-sex topics. We monitored 11 print media outlets (Jutarnji list, Novi list, Slobodna Dalmacija, Večernji list, Feral Tribune, Globus, Gloria, Nacional, Imperijal, OK, and Svijet). Other project activities were: establishing cooperation with media professionals, advocacy in the media, and publishing the brochure Croatian Media About Homosexuality in order to raise their awareness, and through them, public awareness about the rights of then called homosexual persons*, as well as to create an atmosphere of acceptance of homosexual persons* in society.
*Term homosexual persons in early 2000s was in large use in Croatia, hence it has not been changed here in project materials from that period, although over time its use has been replace with other terms.