From 26 May until 31 May the Youth Department in cooperation with the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO) is hosting the study session “Reaching Further: Decentralising LGBTQI Youth Activism”. The activity taking place at the European Youth Centre Budapest brings together 30 queer activists from across Europe to discuss, exchange, learn and build knowledge on the inclusion and empowerment of LGBTQI rural youth.

 On day 4 of the session participants will engage in a discussion on how to advocate at the national level using the Council of Europe standards including the CM Recommendations with Gabriella CALLEJA, Senior Policy Advisory of the Council of Europe’s SOGIGESC Unit and Péter TOROK, member of the Advisory Council on Youth. This session aims to guide participants on how to apply recommendations gathered by the Council of Europe at their national level. 

 As a result of the activity participants will present set of recommendations to IGLYO, youth organisations, local governments and service providers and the Council of Europe to reach and support young LGBTQI people living in rural areas. Participants will also elaborate a follow-up plan on how each participant will use the competencies acquired in their own local environment and raise visibility of queer youth living in rural areas.

 This activity aims to develop competences of LGBTI+ youth activists on how to decentralise their work and reach rural areas, how to advocate at the local level for LGBTI rights and how to build networks and raise visibility outside of urban areas. It is organised within the Youth for Democracy programme in cooperation with IGLYO - the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Intersex Youth and Student Organisation.