Across the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership region, LGBTI people continue to face discrimination, hostility and, in some cases, violence. In recent years, organised movements opposing gender equality and LGBTI rights have gained ground, influencing public debate, political agendas and legislation. Combined with the rapid spread of online hate speech and disinformation, this has made the work of LGBTI civil society organisations and human rights defenders increasingly difficult and, at times, unsafe. To address these shared challenges, LGBTI civil society organisations and human rights activists from both regions came together at a regional conference in Podgorica, Montenegro.

Discussions examined the effect that anti-gender groups have on human rights movements, since such movements are becoming more visible in politics undermining legislative progress, deepening societal divisions and isolation of LGBTI people. With particular attention to challenging legal and political climates, participants explored strategies to strengthen advocacy efforts across the regions.

Furthermore, the events focused on the increasing threat of online hate speech and disinformation.  Participants discussed effective ways to counter harmful narratives and called for long-term responses from state institutions to online hatred. Exchanges highlighted the importance of protecting activists’ well-being and strengthening the resilience of organisations and individuals working on LGBTI rights. Panel discussions and thematic sessions covered areas affecting LGBTI people’s daily lives, including discrimination at work, socio-economic vulnerabilities and access to health services and housing.

By sharing experiences and perspectives from different beneficiaries, participants identified shared priorities within and across the two regions. They underlined the importance of working together across borders and identified opportunities for joint initiatives and areas where advocacy needs to be stronger.

The conference was organised in close co-operation with the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Unit of the Council of Europe, and ERA – LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Türkiye.

This event was organised within the action “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans” and the project “Promoting equality and non-discrimination: towards more resilient and inclusive societies”, part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programmes “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and “Partnership for Good Governance.”