Transparency data

Summary: FCDO international LGBT+ rights programme 2023 to 2028

Published 12 February 2024

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Overview

The UK government has launched a new 5-year programme worth £40 million to advance the rights of LGBT+ people globally.

The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), announced the new funding at the UK LGBTI Global Giving Summit in London on 22 November.

The work on LGBT+ rights supports the FCDO’s strategic objective to project our global influence as a force for good. This principle is especially relevant for LGBT+ people who are systematically excluded from society based on their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics.

Protecting the rights of LGBT+ people

The programme aims to support LGBT+ rights organisations to:

  • reduce violence and discrimination
  • champion human rights compliant laws and policies
  • promote political, social and economic inclusion for all

The programme has 4 components designed to support locally-based, community-led (grassroots) responses to the main challenges faced by LGBT+ people with a particular focus on Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Equal, Safe and Free Fund

This is a new multi-donor fund, with funding from the UK FCDO, the Baring Foundation and other leading private foundations. Most of the funds will be given to grassroots civil society organisations through regional funding schemes.

LGBT+ Solidarity Fund

Managed by GiveOut, this fund enables people, businesses, trusts and foundations and the UK government to show global leadership and collective support for LGBT+ communities worldwide. It will provide flexible, shorter-term grants to grassroots LGBT+ organisations, ensuring they have more of the resources they need to defend themselves and their communities.

This will fund technical and legal work to address violence against LGBT+ people and support the reform of laws or policies that discriminate against LGBT+ people.

Learning, evidence and advice

This will support understanding the political, social and economic challenges facing LGBT+ people in different regions and contexts. It also includes sharing information on practical and effective approaches to improve the lives of LGBT+ people.

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