Call for Applications

Dear Partners,

We are delighted to announce our upcoming “Countering Anti-Gender Movements: Regional Advocacy Training for LGBTIQ Activists”, which will bring together 24 LGBTIQ activists from across the South Caucasus and neighboring regions (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Moldova, and Ukraine). At a time when anti-gender rhetoric is increasingly threatening human rights, this training will provide a crucial platform for activists to connect, strengthen their advocacy skills, and build joint strategies to counter anti-gender movements across our region.

Host Organization: Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO
Location: Chișinău, Moldova
Duration: 4 full training days (October 22–25, 2025); arrival on October 21 and departure on October 26
Deadline for Submission: September 15, 2025

Context:

Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO has launched the project “Strengthening Trans Organising Resiliency and Capacity” with the support of UK Government Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. As part of this initiative, the Regional Advocacy Training will empower LGBTIQ activists with the knowledge, tools, and networks needed to effectively respond to the growing anti-gender movements in their countries. The program will also highlight the importance of advancing legal gender recognition (LGR) without forced sterilization and safeguarding the rights of LGBTIQ communities across the region.

Objective:

The primary objective of this 4-day training is to equip 24 LGBTIQ activists (4 from each participating country: Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Moldova, and Ukraine) with advocacy, crisis recovery, and resilience strategies. Through interactive workshops, peer-to-peer learning, and expert-led sessions, participants will gain practical skills in countering anti-gender rhetoric, mobilizing communities, and amplifying their voices in regional and international advocacy spaces.

Grant Support:

Following the training, GBP 4,000 small grants will be awarded to six groups formed during the training. These groups may be:

• Country-based teams (e.g., activists from one country working together), or
• Regional initiatives (cross-country collaborations).

The supported initiatives will focus on:

• Raising awareness on LGBTIQ rights;
• Strengthening community-based advocacy;
• Developing innovative responses to anti-gender ideologies;
• Promoting legal gender recognition and broader LGBTIQ protections.

This grant support will enable participants to put their newly gained knowledge into practice and to build sustainable, community-driven resistance against anti-gender narratives in their respective contexts.

Who Can Participate:

The training is open to LGBTIQ representatives of organizations or community groups working in Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Moldova, and Ukraine. Each country will be represented by four activists.

Financial Support:

Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO will fully support the participation of selected activists in this training. The support package includes:

• Travel expenses: round-trip transportation to and from Chișinău, Moldova;
• Accommodation: hotel stay from October 21 (arrival day) to October 26, 2025 (departure day);
• Meals and refreshments: provided throughout the program;
• Training materials and resources: all necessary handouts, toolkits, and supplies.

There will be no participation fee. All logistical arrangements will be coordinated by the organizers to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for every participant. If required, the organizers will also provide invitation letters to support your participation.

How to Apply:

Interested individuals should submit their applications by September 15, 2025, including:

• Name and affiliation of the organization or community group;
• Names and roles of the proposed participants;
• A brief explanation (500 word) of how participation in the training will strengthen their organization’s or community’s capacity to counter anti-gender movements.

Please send your applications to rightsidengo@gmail.com with the subject line: “Application for Regional Advocacy Training – Moldova.”

Selection Process & Notification:

All applications will be reviewed after the deadline. Successful applicants will be notified by September 25, 2025 via email. Due to the expected high volume of applications, only selected participants will be contacted.

Your engagement in this training and the follow-up initiatives will be a powerful contribution to our collective resistance against anti-gender movements and to advancing equality and human rights across the region. We look forward to welcoming selected participants to Chișinău, Moldova, in October 2025 for this important journey of solidarity and empowerment.

With appreciation,

Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO