1 A. the Partners

A. THE PARTNERS

A.1. The Danish organization LGBT Denmark, the Danish National Organisation for Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgender Persons1, was founded in 1948. The NGO works with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions (SOGIE) both locally, nationally, regionally and internationally, while also providing social networks for LGBT people in Denmark. LGBT Denmark’s vision is to see a world and a society with equal opportunities for all regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation and a world where this is implemented in human rights, which are endorsed and respected by all. Human rights are not static and continuously evolve in the form of international conventions as well as national laws. To accommodate this, LGBT Denmark calls on the Danish government and other actors to intervene on behalf of the LGBT community at home, as well as foreign governments or other international actors, such as the United Nations, to intervene on behalf of LGBT communities abroad and ensure political, economic, social, and cultural equality. Furthermore, LGBT Denmark engages in advocacy to support people who are marginalized and discriminated against on the basis of socially constructed markers. The perception of binary gender categories as well as cis-heteronormativity have been embraced by society although these forces deeply stigmatize people who do not conform. LGBT Denmark thus challenges these perceptions and lobbies for the acceptance of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE) as being as diverse as people who live it. This also includes the demand for equal opportunities in regards to all aspects of life, as well as basic security. Nationally, LGBT Denmark advocates amongst other things through counseling services directed at people identifying as LGBT+, their families, friends or other people interested in the subject. In Denmark, we provide information on laws and regulations, but also offer psychosocial support. The LGBT Library has a broad collection of books, fiction and non-fiction, which constitute a valuable information base. On the international political level, LGBT Denmark actively engages with ILGA (the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association), ILGA Europe and the UN. LGBT Denmark is a founding member of ILGA (1978) and ILGA-Europe (1996), has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, and is part of the Amsterdam Network, a network of around 20 national LGBT+ NGOs and funds from Europe and North America coordinating lobby efforts and concrete project interventions, sharing information and pushing for a more SOGIE-inclusive approach in international development, foreign policies and at UN level. Additionally, LGBT Denmark has extensive experience in designing, planning and carrying out international projects in collaboration with local partners. Since 2013 we have carried out projects based on the model of a) mapping needs, b) testing the applicability of our training method (LILO – Looking In, Looking Out) and c) rolling out the main components of the LILO methodology1 package. These interventions have all had the overall development goal of contributing to the reduction of all forms of discrimination and stigmatization of LGBT+ people through reducing minority stress, building self-efficacy and capacity building of both LGBT+ people and their networks and organizations. We initiated projects in Tanzania and Uganda in collaboration with Positive Vibes (PV), a Namibian/South Africa based organization specializing in training methods for LGBT+ people. Through these collaborations we have gained in-house expertise in the LILO training methodology with two of our staff certified to lead trainings and more staff in the process of learning the LILO methods. Currently, LGBT Denmark is collaborating with a Tunisian LGBTQ+ organization to carry out a project parallel to the project proposed in this application. LGBT Denmark is also part

1 For a detailed description of the LILO Identity workshop methodology see the attached appendix: ’LILO Identity Detailed Description’

of the Foreign Ministry’s five-year Danish Arabic Partnership Program (2017-2021) focusing on addressing minority stress and strengthening LGBT+ communities in the MENA region. Through these projects, staff at LGBT Denmark has garnered extensive experience in initiating and coordinating projects with new partners as well as testing the applicability and working with the broader LILO methodology, which is part of LGBT Denmark’s Theory of Change.

Relevant staff at LGBT Denmark Alice Minor will be the project coordinator from LGBT Denmark. Alice holds an MSc in Global Refugee Studies and BA in Politics. Alice first came to Denmark from the United States as a fellow with Humanity In Action, a human rights education program that explores how societies have succeeded and failed in supporting minority populations and includes a particular interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Alice has been active in LGBTIQA politics in Denmark as a community organizer and through journalistic pieces. She also works at DIGNITY: The Danish Institute Against Torture researching methodologies for quantitative data collection targeting LGBTI people.

Susanne Branner Jespersen will be the project manager. Susanne holds a MA in Social Anthropology and a Master in Conflict Resolution and Mediation. She has 16 years of experience and has developed extensive skills in advocacy and campaigning, conflict resolution, program management, capacity building and organizational development. Susanne has been pivotal throughout building up LGBT Denmark’s international engagement since 2012 and is currently engaged in projects in Tanzania, Uganda and Tunisia. Her role in this project will be both on a strategic and practical level; participating in partnership building, carrying out quality control of the selected LILO trainers, training of trainers in LILO Identity and giving feedback to the final evaluation, as well as the narrative and financial reporting.

Nicole Scharf holds an MA in African Studies. Her thesis is a contextualization and assessment of (homo)sexualities and homophobia in Uganda. She works as project coordinator in LGBT Denmark’s projects in Uganda and Tanzanian and is part the international team. She is certified as a master trainer in LILO Identity and will partake as a trainer in this intervention.

Besides these three, a financial officer is in charge of accounts and bookkeeping. The other project coordinators on international projects in the MENA region and Rwanda act as sparring partners and support particularly to project coordination of new partnerships and projects. Staff working on national and international projects work side by side in the office and are able to offer fresh eyes and perspectives on the day to day quandaries one faces in project coordination.

A.3. The local organization Association Okvir is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, culture, and identities of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and Asexual (LGBTIQA) persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Okvir works from core principles of authenticity, solidarity and inclusivity. Okvir understands authenticity as recognizing that each person’s story and identity is their own to define and solidarity as a commitment to building connection with locally based activist movements also committed to countering oppression in BiH in light of the foreign NGO swarm after the wars in the Balkan region. To Okvir, inclusivity means acknowledging the limitations and privileges every person carries and aiming to make space for many levels of engagement with Okvir and in the LGBTIQA community in BiH generally. Association Okvir is rooted in an organization founded in 2002 called ‘Q’ which is no longer running. The same core group of organizers and supporters came together to create Okvir when they realized there was a need for a greater focus on organizational stability and ensuring the safety of LGBTQA people who want to connect. On a daily basis 6 paid staff members run Okvir, together making decisions about Okvir’s strategic priorities and working structures. Additionally, an

extended core of 70 members offers various skills as well as their networks to projects, and an advisory board supports Okvir’s strategic development. Okvir is connected to grass-roots organizers and groups in the provinces who generally do not have the resources to officially register as an organization. Understanding that organizing outside of Sarajevo is particularly challenging for LGBTIQA people, Okvir engages with these groups under the principle of ‘support without conditions’ of financial or other resource benefit to Okvir. Okvir quickly realized after beginning to work with support to LGBTIQA people that the histories of war and gender based violence in BiH significantly impact the potential for success in bringing about social change. Trauma connected to war and gender based violence cannot be ignored but rather must be integrated into Okvir’s work. Led by an alarming need to work on issues related to discrimination and violence based on gender/sexuality, and internalized stigma connected to gender and sexuality, Okvir organized a project called SOS Counseling and support trainings for LBTQ women in 2013 and 2014. Encouraged by the feedback received, Okvir initiated its own peer- to-peer counseling service for all LGBTIQA people that has been running since February 2014. In this way, Okvir empowers community members on the peer level, which helps build the self-esteem and self-acceptance necessary to lead productive and happy lives. Over the course of this project, people receiving counseling have gradually started initiating their own activities for LGBTIQA communities using Association Okvir as a platform, including: movie screenings, creative workshops, graphic design workshops, promotional material design, library maintenance, psychology circle meetings called ‘Qruzok’, text translations on prevention of gender and sexuality based violence, etc. Some participants have reported transforming violent relationships and becoming empowered to come out in their social circles. Through this work Okvir has developed an understanding of a theory of change which holds that when one member of the community can establish and work on a deep connection to oneself, this leads to an increase in their ability to connect to their highest potential. This will and is raising Okvir’s members’ capabilities to promote the struggle for social justice for LGBTIQA people in more committed, sustainable, and intersectional ways. This core strategy also breeds beautiful alliances - we expand our network with LGBTIQA human rights defenders (HRDs), women organizers, psychologists, psychotherapists, and HR activists across BiH and in this way further fosters our support base. No other NGO or CSO in BiH addresses gender and sexual orientation-based violence through psychological support services. Most related work in the NGO sector in BiH is focused on providing free legal and psychological and social assistance for heterosexual women and child victims of violence. Okvir is the first association in Bosnia and Herzegovina that has started working on issues of trauma and post-trauma within the LGBTIQA community through initiating and fully structuring peer to peer psychological counseling for LGBTIQA people (support groups, peer to peer counseling in person, via skype, and via email). We empower LGBTIQA victims/survivors of violence and discrimination through access to information, education, social support and psychological counseling. We provide support in crisis transformation, recognition of violence in relationships, post-victimization assistance, accepting one’s sexual/gender identity and living as a closeted LGBTIQA person, tools of anger management, active listening, assertive and non-violent communication, suicide prevention, provision of additional health information etc. Parallel to this work, we share our knowledge of online data and privacy protection.

Association Okvir’s goals are: 1) Raising awareness and reducing violence, discrimination and stigmatization of LGBTIQA persons through education, provision of psychological support and capacity building of the BiH LGBTIQA community. Projects include: LGBTIQA Counseling: peer to peer counseling, support groups, therapy referrals (Astraea Foundation, 2014 - up to date; Rainbow Solidarity Fund, 2014-2015) SOS helpline and psychological support training for LBTQ women– Women Working with Women (Kvinna till Kvinna, 2013-2014).

2) Increasing the visibility of LGBTIQA human rights, identities, culture and activism on community, NGO, publicly and online through education, culture and art. Projects include: Through frames: Towards public space of transformation, love and freedom (public play, forum theatre workshops, brochure, documentary and music video in partnership with Bozo Vreco, Royal Norwegian Embassy, 2015-up to date), GisWatch 2015 BiH report (OneworldSEE & Okvir), Safe Living Room (U.S. Embassy, 2012-2013), Webpage of Association Okvir (Embassy of the Netherlands, 2011).

3) Strengthening the network of LGBTIQA HRDs, artists and women’s network as to strengthen the bonds of mutual solidarity and visibility Non-project activities include: Formalization of the editorial board of www.okvir.org, IDAHOT* public events (2013-2016), Trans* Awareness Day public events (2014), Digital Security trainings (2014- 2015), Integrated Security trainings, documentary film productions: 'Queer React', 'With love, your children’ and digital stories production (Beyond 2015 project, IDS, and OneWorldSEE), 'Our Resistance is Love'. We have organized about 70 creative workshops (photography, theatre, creative writing, slam poetry), 70 movie projections, 20 poetry events, and the performance art piece, ''Transinform yourself''.

Project coordinator from Okvir: Azra Čaušević Azra Čaušević (1986) born in Brcko, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Queer feminist activist. Community organizer and one of core-team members of LGBTIQA Association Okvir from 2011 to the present. Holds an MA in Gender Studies, Central European University Budapest, and BA in English Language and Literature, Tuzla University. Devoted to sustainable LGBTIQA community building in BiH with respect to all aspects of security and safety. Passionate about queer spaces of love, memory, and resistance. Engaged with video, graphics & sound production and design. Peer counselor. IT explorer. Poetry lover.

Additionally, the financial officer, Belma Šteta, is attached to this project. Čaušević and Šteta will be supported by the other project coordinators at Okvir experienced in project management and psychological support.

A.4 The cooperative relationship and its prospects Okvir and LGBT Denmark share a vision of community building that centers the self-efficacy and mental wellbeing of individual LGBTIQA people as the building blocks of social change. LGBT Denmark has experience supporting organizations working with LGBTIQA people in hostile environments both in terms of social stigmatization and security. This project’s overall development objective is to contribute to the reduction of all forms of stigmatization and discrimination of LGBTIQA people in Bosnia-Herzegovina and to work together to strengthen the LGBTIQA community in Bosnia-Herzegovina through a joint, collaborative effort between Okvir and LGBT Denmark. Even though CISU is out-phasing support to Bosnia, there is a rich possibility for future collaboration if the partnership and methodologies used prove mutually constructive. Over the past five years, LGBT Denmark has implemented projects based on the LILO methodology in collaboration with Positive Vibes, a Namibia/South Africa based regional training and project implementation organization that traces its roots to the HIV work of the Danish development organization Ibis. PV has pioneered training methodologies aiming to address self- stigmatization and enhance the self-efficacy and voice of marginalized individuals and groups with particular focus on People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and LGBT people, and most recently sex workers. The intervention planned in this collaboration between Okvir and LGBT Denmark centers the LILO (Looking In, Looking Out) Identity training method, which is part of a larger, holistic methodological approach to addressing social stigmatization and discrimination, and building the capacity of individuals, communities, and organizations to address their challenges.

The planned intervention in BiH focuses on strengthening the self-efficacy of individual LGBTIQA people. The intervention will test the LILO Identity methodology in selected geographical areas in BiH together with different organizations, with Okvir as the lead Bosnian organization. It will also further develop the working relationship between LGBT Denmark and Okvir, and add the input of Balkan, and especially Bosnian LGBTIQA communities to the LILO methodology. Through the project we will develop a Bosnian version of the LILO Identity materials and identify and train local, Bosnian speaking trainers who can in turn lead their peers in LILO Identity trainings. If we find through the project evaluation that the LILO methodology offers dynamic contributions in the BiH context, it will be possible to collaborate on further LILO projects such as LILO Voice, which builds on LILO Identity’s investment in individuals’ self-efficacy by offering tools for rights advocacy. Even if further funding options through CISU is not an option, Okvir will have build up a cadre of LILO trainers, and will be able to roll out LILO Identity trainings on their own, if they find that the methodology is useful in their context. Also, having build up a cooperative relationship will be an important asset and strength in regards to seeking EU-funding or funding through ILGA Europe for future collaborations. This project is a critical first investment in this collaboration in a region where LGBTIQA people are underserved and highly discriminated.

B. PROJECT ANALYSIS B.1 How has the project been prepared? Alice Minor, the project coordinator from LGBT Denmark, first engaged with the Bosnian political and social context in 2011 as a fellow with Humanity In Action (HIA). HIA is a human rights education network that interrogates pressing global crises for minority rights with a focus on learning from both failures and resistance during ethnic genocide in Europe: particularly the Holocaust and in the Bosnian War. In 2012, Alice worked as an assistant for the Danish HIA fellowship, developing and facilitating a summer course that had a particular focus on the war in Bosnia. Alice supported the Bosnian students on the program in preparing presentations for the other fellows (from the US, Denmark, Turkey, and Israel-Palestine). The fellowship concluded in a study tour and conference in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina facilitated by the Bosnian branch of HIA, which included trips to Srebrenica and Mostar. Through the HIA senior fellows network Alice has maintained contact with activists in Bosnia – and in particular LGBT rights activists. With the help of these contacts Alice began exploring potential partnerships between LGBT Denmark in the Balkan region during 2016. After corresponding and skyping with several organizations it became clear that the Okvir’s community oriented approach best matches the support that LGBT Denmark can offer in a partnership. Sarajevo Open Center, the other prominent LGBT rights organization in BiH, is focused on legal rights advocacy and documentation of rights abuses. After discussing the methods of our organizations, Sarajevo Open Center concluded that Okvir would be a better match for this project collaboration. Given that it was not possible to visit Okvir in person before applying for funding for this project, LGBT Denmark’s project coordinator skyped with Okvir staff on three occasions with the primary focus being gaining a deeper understanding of each others’ philosophies, working methods, and organizational capacities. She spoke with the project coordinator from Okvir, the accountant, and two staff members who will be supportive in this project. Having established a mutual interest in a project partnership, LGBT Denmark and Okvir have collaborated on developing this project with input from the project manager at LGBT Denmark as well as the staff coordinating the projects in Tanzania, Uganda and Tunisia. This partnership with Okvir represents a new geographical engagement for LGBT Denmark’s recent international project work. Both LGBT Denmark’s Foreign Policy Group and the international project staff have embraced the possibility of engaging in parts of Europe where LGBTIQA people are particularly stigmatized and discriminated against.

B.2 In what context is the project placed?

In the conflict and post-conflict context of BiH, conflicting nationalisms and raging militarism serve to strongly embed and enforce stereotypical gender roles. This in turn marginalizes women, minority groups, and LGBTIQA persons institutionally, economically, and socially. There is a dearth of knowledge concerning the needs of LBTIQA persons who are multiply oppressed based on their sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, class, and ability across Bosnia and Herzegovina. This gap is particularly evident in the education system, media attitudes, and oppressive cultural norms that relegate LGBTIQA people to an inferior position. Foreign intervention in BiH has neglected LGBTIQA people for decades, deeming this a lower-priority issue. In reality, LGBTIQA people face the same economic and post-war trauma challenges of others in BiH in addition to grappling with a marginalized minority position in society. The authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina passed the Anti-Discrimination Law in 2009, including discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation but both terms were undefined. The law does not benefit LGBTIQA people in their daily lives because there is lacking political will, public awareness, and institutional strategy to implement the law, and discrepancies on entity levels (BiH governing structure), and gender mistrust amongst LGBTIQA persons towards the state mechanisms of protection. Further, there are no laws prohibiting “hate speech” or incitement to hatred on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity in BiH. Sarajevo Open Center documented 103 hate-speech and 20 hate crime based on gender/sexual orientation cases in 20152. Official data from 2013 report3 state that 93,8% LGBTIQA people do not report violent hate crimes or instances of discrimination, with 73, 6% of LGBTIQA persons lacking trust in the relevant authorities. Non-reporting of LGBT-phobic hate crimes by LGBTIQA persons is directly related to the survivors’ fear that their gender or sexual identity will be made public; they would be forcefully outed. Secondly, crimes are unreported due to low level of awareness amongst LGBTIQA persons on the criteria of hate-crimes. There is a common belief that state systems do not handle hate-crimes adequately, underestimate the severity, and handle the crimes as regular ordinary criminal acts rather than hate crimes. Additionally, victims of LGBT phobic hate-crime are re-victimized and further isolated, as firstly, they are in a state of shock and negation, followed by emotional distress, anger and strong feelings of guilt as the perpetrators chose them because of ‘’what they are’’. Survivors have poor trust in the state system and community: making community building a challenge because people are afraid of being open. This leads to secondary victimization and marginalization of LGBTIQA people who have not been directly assaulted but develop a fear of being attacked and distrust in authorities. Finally, LGBTIQA people experiencing discrimination, stigma, and violence are almost exclusive left to their own resources to navigate. The LGBTIQA community in BiH faces discrimination regarding education, health care, legal protection, as well as high levels of physical and psychological violence. Further, general visibility of LGBTIQA human rights, culture, and identities is low as there is a lack of safe public space for affirmative promotion of LGBTIQA human rights, identities, culture, and art in BiH. Organization of publicly promoted LGBTIQA events has ended violently in the past four years (International Queer Film Festival Merlinka hosted by SOC, Sarajevo, February 2014, press conference on Coming Out Day organized by Okvir and OneWorldSEE, October 2013). General awareness of violence, including violence in LGBTIQA relationships, is low, as in many cases we have been asked to intervene in situations of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse or partner violence in relationships. Due to lacking understanding and prevailing intolerance, prejudice, discrimination and (internalized) homo/bi/transphobia, one of the basic obstacles which stands in the way of LGBTIQA persons is the discovery of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and its disclosure to others, particularly parents and family members.

2 http://soc.ba/zlocini-iz-mrznje-u-bih-u-2015-tek-svaki-osmi-pocinitelj-kaznjen/ 3 Causevic, J. Brojevi koji ravnopravnost zna e. Sarajevo Open Center, 2013. Available at: http://soc.ba/brojevi-koji- ravnopravnost-znace/ . Last accessed on Dec 5, 2016

LGBTIQA persons are fearful of rejection and parental condemnation, since disclosure usually means victimization through intolerance, rejection, and physical and/or emotional violence. Furthermore, the lack of adequate institutional and social support for LGBTIQA persons in BiH contributes to further marginalization and isolation, depression and anxiety, violent and self-abuse behavior as well as inability to cope with hardships LGBTIQA persons face every day. In BiH generally, young people are migrating from smaller towns to cities, and from regional centers to the capital, Sarajevo, in search of economic opportunities. The pressure to migrate to Sarajevo is even higher for LGBTIQA people because being a gender or sexuality minority outside the capital region is extremely difficult and often dangerous. All established, officially registered organizations working with LGBTIQA people as well as the preponderance of activist organizing are based in the capital region. The LGBTIQA people who are not able to migrate to Sarajevo are thus highly vulnerable to self-stigmatization because they are isolated from most community formation opportunities and in environments hostile to their minority identities.

B.3 Problem analysis This project is motivated by the needs of LGBTIQA people in BiH identified by Okvir to counter self-stigmatization and augment access to support systems. While Okvir provides safer spaces for many LGBTIQA people in Sarajevo, the organization has identified a need for reaching two underserved groups in particular: people outside of Sarajevo and people who are not publicly ‘out’ about their minority identities. Okvir points to internalized discrimination as the main reason why many people do not engage with LGBTIQA activism or demand their rights as gender identity, sexual orientation, or sex characteristics minorities. The internalized stress that Okvir observes in community members is described in the minority stress model. The model suggests that ostracism and stigmatization do not produce ‘ordinary’ stress, but instead create a chronic, deeply felt state of anxiety. A recent study by the Institute of Medicine underscores that ‘the higher prevalence of anxiety, depression, and substance use found among LGBT as compared with heterosexual populations (is attributed) to the additive stress resulting from non-conformity with prevailing sexual orientation and gender norms’.4 In other words, rejection, alienation, absence of social support, bullying and violence create a hostile and stressful social environment that perniciously affects the self-image, educational attainment, economic integration and sense of belonging for LGBTIQA people and their communities. This project addresses the misogyny embedded in societal structures by acknowledging that all participants bring different lived experiences and social privileges with them. We will promote the rights of people of marginalized gender identities and experiences by making particular space for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming participants. Each participant’s relationship to not only gender identity, sexual orientation, and sex characteristics, but also social positions including ethnicity, physical ability, and class influence the privileges and challenges they face in daily life. In the LILO trainings, differences are understood as strengths. LGBT Denmark has worked with LGBTIQA people in Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia who also describe challenges with internalized discrimination using a methodology called LILO – Looking In Looking Out, that has been developed by the Southern Africa based NGO Positive Vibes Trust (a strategic partner of LGBT Denmark). LILO Identity trainings offers a unique way of addressing self-stigma and societal stigma and creating a sense of community among LGBTIQA people. A note on the LILO methodology has been attached to this proposal. This project invests in Okvir as an organization. Intrinsic to the LILO methodology is training local community members to be the implementing trainers of the project in their own communities. Doing so will build the capacity of individuals working at and connected to Okvir to help their peers.

4 See for example, Michael D. Mink, Lisa L. Lindley & Ali A. Weinstein (2014), Stress, Stigma, and Sexual Minority Status: The Intersectional Ecology Model of LGBTQ Health, Journal of Gay &Lesbian Social Services, 26:4, 502-521.

The intervention also supports Okvir’s vision to serve LGBTIQA people across BiH by including trainings in three regional hubs.

C. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

C.1. Target group and participants Primary target group (directly beneficiaries): LGBTIQA people living in BiH The target group, LGBTIQA people living in BiH, are both the participant beneficiaries and the project implementers as trainers. LGBTIQA HRDs of Association Okvir are included in the target group as direct participants through strengthening their organizational capacities and expanding their activities portfolio. Likewise, members of formal and informal LGBTIQA initiatives/organizations (LibertaMo, Kvir Luka, KVART) are part of the target group. A key element of LILO trainings is that the participant group should be diverse in terms of gender identity and sexual orientation. LILO Identity relies on engagement and exchange between participants and functions best when participants connect over personal experiences of gender and sexuality. In light of the history of ethnic and religious conflict in BiH, diverse ethnic, geographic, and religious representation is critical. Many LGBTIQA people in BiH move to Sarajevo if they have the resources because there are more opportunities in the capital and more spaces where LGBTIQA people can connect and meet acceptance. The project therefore endeavors to reach LGBTIQA people outside of Sarajevo by holding trainings in several other cities. All genders, including: women, Number of 93: 13 future trainers and men, non-binary, gender non- participants 80 participants Gender conforming. Both transgender and cisgender people. Bosnia-Herzegovina: Sarajevo, Age group 18 and older Locations Mostar, Banja Luka, Tuzla Training of Trainers: English Social class People from different social class Languages Workshops: Bosnian backgrounds Bosniak, Serb, and Croat are the largest ethnic groups in BiH and should be Ethnicities represented.

Okvir’s connection to the target group: Okvir’s core constituency is comprised mainly of LGBTIQA community of LGBTIQA individuals: women, feminists, lesbians, women who love women, bisexual persons, queer women, gay girls, gay boys, queer boys, gay men, trans*, gender queer, gender-variant, gender-non-conforming, asexual and transgender persons across BiH, LGBTIQA persons with various religious backgrounds, LGBTIQA activists, artists, students, workers, immigrants, writers, unemployed, parents, siblings and friends of LGBTIQA persons. In the past 5 years we have collaborated with different formal and informal LGBTIQA groups such as LibertaMo, TANKA, BUKA, Kvir Luka, KVART, KRIVA, etc. Especially throughout the past 2 years of Okvir’s work of providing psychological support to survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) - strong connections based on safety and trust have been nurtured, which we plan to continue strengthening and extending throughout this project's implementation.

Secondary (not directly involved in the project): Many more people will be reached indirectly through the participants, but this impact cannot be estimated preemptively. The indirect target group includes, but is not limited to, the friends, families, neighbors, and coworkers of the direct target group. Although this group is not directly targeted by the project, they will be sensitized by the direct target group

All genders, including: women, men, non- Number ~400 binary, gender non-conforming. Both Gender transgender and cisgender people.

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Sarajevo, Mostar, Age group All ages Location Banja Luka, Tuzla

Ethnicities and religious People of all major ethnicities and religious backgrounds in BiH should backgrounds be reached through the networks of the participants.

C.2. The project’s objectives and success criteria (indicators)

The project’s overall development objective is: To contribute to the reduction of all forms of stigmatization and discrimination of LGBTIQA people in Bosnia-Herzegovina including self- stigmatization. Immediate objective 1: To reduce minority stress and increase self-efficacy amongst LGBTIQAImmediate peopleobjective in 3Bosnia: To build-Herzegovina. capacity within both the partner organization, Okvir, and LGBTIQA community members generally for offering support to fellow LGBTIQA people struggling with discrimination and marginalization. Indicator 1 Means of verification TheIndicator 92 1 LGBTIQA people who  ParticipantMeans registration of verification form participatedNewly trained in the trainers LILO Identity have increased Pre and post Trainingtraining questionnairesevaluation form that establish level trainingawareness sessions about have stigmatization increased of and self -awareness, Report self from-stigmatization, the Positive and Vibesself-efficacy master awarenessdiscrimination, of SOGIESC, and have gainedreduced insight  Traininginto evaluationtrainer form after the Training of Trainers selfthe -LILOstigmatization, training method. and increased  Facilitator’s reportFacilitators after each reports training completed after each

self-efficacy.  Evaluation meeting:training focus groups with trainers and participants Training evaluation form

Indicator 2 Means of verification OkvirIndicator has 2 strengthened its relationshipsMeans of verification Participant intake forms show participants withThe LGBTIQ LILO workshopA activists method and groups and outside Evaluation followingcoming ToT from 4 different organizations or oftraining Sarajevo. content resonates with  Narrative reportsactivist from groups trainers following LILO Identity Bosnia-Herzegovina LGBTIQA trainings contexts  Evaluation questionnaires from participants  Ongoing sparring and feedback from Okvir including proofreading of the LILO manual translated to Bosnian  Evaluation visit Immediate objective 2: To enhance access to resources for LGBTIQA people outside of Sarajevo, and tools for building self-efficacy.

Means of verification Indicator 1: Over half of the beneficiaries are  Participant registration form: geographical from outside of Sarajevo diversity

Means of verification Indicator 2: Okvir identified emerging leaders  Post-training evaluation: were local connected to Tuzla, Banja Luka, and Mostar community members included in the and included them in the LILO roll out process participant recruitment process?  Evaluation visit: feedback from participants from outside Okvir who engage in parts of the evaluation

C.3 Outputs and activities

The following table describes the project’s expected outputs and activities in relation to the three immediate objectives.

Immediate objective 1: To reduce minority stress and increase self-efficacy amongst LGBTIQA people in Bosnia- Herzegovina.

Expected outputs Activities

13 people living in BiH Identify suitable LILO trainers have completed the ToT Translate and edit LILO Identity materials to Bosnian for LILO Identity Hire master trainers to lead ToT

Training of Trainers (ToT) in Sarajevo

Evaluate ToT participant engagement in collaboration with master trainers

Feedback from Okvir and ToT participants on the LILO methodology and evaluation report written to PV

Identify sites and participants for LILO trainings in 4 locations 93 people have completed the LILO Identity trainings LILO roll-out outside Sarajevo after the ToT supervised by the LGTT in four BiH cities Denmark master trainer A.1 LILO Identity trainings in three regional hubs and Sarajevo Collect evaluations from participants

Collect training reports from trainers

Immediate objective 2: To enhance access of LGBTIQA people in regions outside of Sarajevo to community building, and tools for building self-efficacy.

Expected Output Activities

Partner agreement co-created by Okvir and LGBT Denmark during 48 LILO Identity participants the start up meeting trained in regions outside Identifying sites and participants in 3 regions outside Sarajevo Sarajevo

LILO trainings take place in three cities outside of Sarajevo Collecting evaluations from participants

At least 6 new LILO trainers Outreach and identifying suitable trainers from outside Sarajevo from ToT are from regions outside Sarajevo Evaluation of ToT

Immediate objective 3: To build capacity within both the partner organization, Okvir, and LGBTIQA community members generally for offering support to fellow LGBTIQA people struggling with discrimination and marginalization.

Expected Output Activities Staff at Okvir have received ToT in Sarajevo the ToT training

Partnership meeting between LGBT-DK and Okvir in Sarajevo at the start of the project establishing expectations and working relationship People from 4-5 LGBTIQA organizations or activist Identify suitable LILO trainers with broad geographical and groups benefit from the LILO representation trainings Identify sites and participants in three cities apart from Sarajevo

Call for applications for LILO community trainings includes activists and groups from outside of Sarajevo

Communication between LGBT Denmark and Okvir Final evaluation of trainings and partnership Collecting Most Significant Change stories from trained participants Project evaluation visit in Sarajevo including participants from outside Sarajevo Mutual report writing on lessons learned and options for future collaboration

C.4 Strategy: how does the project cohere Through these projects implemented over the last 2-3 years in collaboration with PV, LGBT Denmark has developed and adopted the following Theory of Change into its development work. The Theory of Change holds that effecting societal change necessitates strengthening the personal capacities of marginalized individuals. Legal and political change is often necessary to secure rights, but will only improve the lives of marginalized people if a strong, self-empowered community exists. In order to build this, one needs to address the adverse effects of minority stress so prevalent in all minority communities. Minority stress is based on the fact that ostracism and stigmatization produces a chronic, deeply felt state of anxiety.5 In other words, rejection, alienation, absence of social support, bullying and violence or perceived threats of violence creates a hostile and stressful social environment that perniciously affects the self-image, educational attainment, economic integration and sense of belonging for LGBT+ people. A basis for building strong communities is therefore addressing minority stress and alleviating this through addressing self- stigmatization, developing increased sense of self, agency and voice and enabling supportive social networks composed of LGBT+ people and their allies.

5 Michael D. Mink, Lisa L. Lindley & Ali A. Weinstein (2014), Stress, Stigma, and Sexual Minority Status: The Intersectional Ecology Model of LGBTQ Health, Journal of Gay &Lesbian Social Services, 26:4, 502-521.

Methods and modus operandi The main methods in the project are accounted for in the following:  Addressing minority stress and self-stigmatization through enhancing self-efficacy in individuals  Supporting 13 people based in BiH through the LILO Identity Training of Trainers  Five LILO identity workshops running over three days. A LILO Identity workshop is a personalized approach to exploring gender identity and sexual orientation. It involves a facilitated process of support by and for LGBTIQA people by LOOKING BACK on their lives, LOOKING IN to some processes happening internally, LOOKING OUTWARDS at the world around them, and LOOKING FORWARD in order to move confidently and positively into the future  Evaluating the suitability of the LILO methodology for the BiH context through ongoing communication, participant and trainer evaluations after each training, and a final evaluation

Ongoing collaboration between Okvir and LGBT Denmark LGBT Denmark has the capacity to support Okvir having implemented LILO projects in Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia. Okvir is poised as a community based group already engaged in psychological support to LGBTIQA people in BiH. The meeting of partners in Sarajevo at the beginning of the project will set the groundwork for effective and clear communication throughout the nine-month project. The work over summer 2017 entails logistical planning in BiH, preparing the LILO materials in Bosnian, and hiring the master trainers for the ToT. The ToT will take place in autumn 2017 followed by the five community LILO Identity trainings. The project concludes with a five-day evaluation in Sarajevo including LGBT

Denmark’s project coordinator, Okvir’s project coordinator and 2-3 other relevant staff, as well as 4 project participants not employed at Okvir. Three of these participants should have strong ties to communities outside of Sarajevo. For a visual overview of the project’s sequential process please see the table below. The project has an explicit focus on ensuring gender equality – including the rights of people marginalized by the gender binary because they are neither men nor women. The project also explicitly supports people who are marginalized by heterosexism: a system of power underpinned by misogyny. June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb 2017 2018 Partner visit & partnership agreement ToT call for participants and selection LILO community trainings call for participants and selection ToT: Logistics in BiH LILO community trainings: Logistics in BiH Translate and edit LILO manual to Bosnian LILO Identity Training of Trainers ToT evaluation LILO Identity community training supervised by master trainer from LGBT Denmark LILO Identity community trainings Participant evaluation of LILO trainings Trainer evaluations of LILO trainings Collecting Most Significant Change stories from trained participants Project evaluation in Sarajevo Mutual report writing on lessons learned, future opportunities Periodic financial report at LGBT Denmark Communication between Okvir and LGBT Denmark

Coherence between strategic deliveries, capacity building, possible advocacy This project focuses most heavily on strategic deliveries and capacity building by strengthening individuals both within the partner organization and community at large as per the Theory of Change outlined above. The LILO methodology includes modules directly addressing advocacy as well as organizational development. This project in itself equips the target group to more effectively self-advocate by strengthening individuals and the bonds between activists located in disparate regions of the country.

Special inputs Hiring master trainers to lead the Training of Trainers is an integral aspect of this project. We have chosen to hire two master trainers from LGBT Denmark to limit costs, ensure quality, and further build the collaboration between our two organizations. Positive Vibes’ LILO methodology is the core strategic delivery of this project and must be communicated by experienced trainers to achieve maximum benefit for Okvir and LGBTIQA people in BiH.

C. 5 Phase-out and sustainability Given the short length of the project, minimal oversight will be needed for the financial phase-out of the project. One goal of this project is to assess possibilities for future collaboration between Okvir and LGBT Denmark. Given that Okvir is established in BiH as a provider of counseling and support services for LGBTIQA people, there is great potential for a future collaboration centered on bringing the LILO Counseling methodology tools to BiH. Okvir is already a sustainably functioning organization with 6 staff members and deep support of the surrounding community, which will help ensure that the phase out of this project will go smoothly.

C.6 Assumptions and risks Through these projects staff at LGBT Denmark have garnered extensive experience in initiating and coordinating projects with new partners in regions where LGBT+ people are at high risk of attack from both authorities and civilians. Okvir struggles to balance the driving goal of pushing for greater LGBTIQA visibility with the need to ensure physical and emotional security for the LGBTIQA people who engage with Okvir. The Okvir staff is highly experienced in security precautions having undergone online and physical security training in the wake of a violent attack 5 years ago.

Main assumptions  LGBTIQA people in BiH will be interested and able to participate in the LILO identity trainings  Okvir, LGBT Denmark, and the community groups in BiH connected to Okvir share values and will work constructively and effectively  The LILO training is relevant because self-stigmatization as well as social marginalization are pressing challenges in BiH and the LILO training helps self-efficacy in addressing these challenges  LGBTIQA people based outside Sarajevo, the capital, will have access to the project because Okvir will prioritize reaching out to community groups and leaders in Banja Luka, Mostar, and Tuzla

Main risks  It is difficult to reach LGBTIQA people outside Sarajevo because sexual orientation and gender identity minority people are more stigmatized and less open about their identities. Conducting a snowball exercise with Okvir staff during the initiating project visit will mitigate this risk. A similar exercise was conducted in Tanzania, and revealed that through the 16 LILO facilitators trained, we would be able to reach out to more than 2000 individuals, simply by identifying participants through safe, personal networks.  Participants are outed during or due to the LILO training sessions and face ramifications from their family, friends, neighbors, workplace, etc. This risk will be mitigated by conducting a short session during the beginning of all trainings centered on safety and security in which the group present will set rules for the use of for example social media. Normally, we don’t allow pictures to be taken or updates to be posted from our trainings, unless there is the specific acceptance from the individuals involved.  The collaboration between Okvir and other organizations and activist groups in BiH presents challenges that impact decision-making and project progression. This is a standard risk in all project interventions, but one that LGBT Denmark has good experience in managing.

D. PROJECT ORGANISATION AND FOLLOW-UP

D.1. Division of roles in project implementation Okvir and LGBT Denmark will collectively plan and manage the intervention with regular meetings to review and adjust plans. We will mostly communicate on skype and exchange quicker updates over email but also hold meetings in person during the three visits of representatives from LGBT Denmark to Okvir in BiH, which will take place in June 2017, September 2017, and February 2018. The partners will seek to build up a long-term strategic partnership and will approach all elements of the project intervention in a spirit of mutual respect seeking mutually beneficial and agreeable solutions and work processes. Both Okvir and LGBT Denmark are entitled to make decisions regarding changes to the project in direct cooperation with each other and in consultation with the target groups. Okvir and LGBT Denmark share responsibility for ongoing monitoring of the project and preparing the materials for the evaluation meeting and final report. LGBT Denmark bears ultimate responsibility towards the Civil Society in Development for ensuring the funds are used as intended and will thus be in charge of managing the budget and accounting. LGBT Denmark will collaborate with Positive Vibes to select a consultant to lead the Training of Trainers. LGBT Denmark’s project coordinator will be responsible for the final narrative report submitted to CISU while LGBT Denmark’s financial officer will be responsible for the final budget account. Okvir will have primary responsibility for selecting training locations, disseminating the call for participants, and selecting participants for the Training of Trainers and subsequent trainings. Okvir is in contact with the primary target group through their years of work in similar projects and will therefore hold primary responsibility for consulting with the target group and bringing to attention feedback that may need to be integrated into ongoing adjustments of the project design. Both Okvir and LGBT Denmark are organizations run by and for LGBTIQA people. Everyone involved in organizing, adjusting, and executing the project in Okvir will be people who are also part of the target group: LGBTIQA people based in BiH.

D.2. Monitoring and evaluation in project implementation LGBT Denmark has developed monitoring and evaluation tools applicable to this partnership configuration of a local partner and LGBT Denmark implementing a project based in Positive Vibes’ LILO methodology. The tools include intake and evaluation questionnaires for all participants as well as evaluation rubrics for the partners to follow in analyzing their partnership. Lessons learned through the monitoring and evaluation of LGBT Denmark’s collaboration with Mawjoudin in Tunisia will be incorporated into the M&E of this project. The project in Tunisia is running from September 2016 – April 2018 and mirrors this project, including both a ToT and LILO Identity trainings in cities outside the capitol.

Monitoring The selection of trainers for the ToT will take place over the summer before September 2017 after the initial partner meeting. At the partner meeting Okvir and LGBT Denmark will create a working agreement outlining the shared tasks and individual commitments. Throughout the project Azra Čaušević and Alice Minor, the project coordinators from Okvir and LGBT Denmark respectively, will be in contact for weekly updates and more frequently when relevant. Susanne Branner Jespersen, International Projects Manager at LGBT Denmark, will be Alice Minor’s direct supervisor throughout the project period. Over the summer, the groundwork for the selection of participants and logistical arrangements for the LILO group trainings will be laid. Pre-training questionnaires will be distributed to all participants prior to trainings, as well as post-training questionnaires after the trainings are completed. All trainings will be described in detail by narrative reports prepared by the responsible trainers. These materials will form the point of departure for the final narrative report and evaluation

of how the LILO methodology suits BiH, the quality of the collaboration between LGBT Denmark and Okvir, and the impact of the project activities on the target group.

Evaluation As mentioned above, LGBT Denmark has developed M&E tools applicable to the LILO Identity ToT and trainings. During the start up partner meeting in Sarajevo Okvir and LGBT Denmark review the questionnaires to get feedback from Okvir on their sensitivity and applicability to the BiH context. In addition to the narrative reports submitted by responsible trainers, the evaluation will make use of statistics gathered through registering participants at each training, including: name, pronoun, email, and telephone number. The registration form will also ask where the participant lives and if they consider themselves deeply committed to other regions of the country. Registering the participants will ensure we have an accurate account of the number and geographical scope of participants reached. All participants in the trainings will be involved in the evaluation through filling out pre and post training questionnaires. Selected participants will be interviewed to collect ‘Most Significant Change’ stories. Organizations and activist groups that participate in the trainings as well as the 16 LILO trainers from the ToT will be invited to participate in the final evaluation meeting. The LGBT DK project coordinator and project manager will visit BiH for a 5-day evaluation with Okvir and community members in Sarajevo and one of the other community training sites. The Okvir project coordinator and financial officer will take part in the evaluation along with other Okvir staff as appropriate. To ensure that lessons learned from the project are documented and used in future interventions, Okvir and LGBT Denmark will collaborate on writing a final evaluation report to be shared with other partnering organizations and groups in BiH. The evaluation will hopefully be the basis for planning and seeking funding for a larger cooperative effort in the future, building on the momentum and foundation laid by the LILO Identity trainings.

E. INFORMATION WORK

E.1 Has project-related information work in Denmark been planned? Throughout the proposed project, LGBT Denmark will inform the Danish public generally and in particularly the LGBT Denmark’s member base about the purpose and progress of the project. The aim is to build awareness about perspectives and life experiences of LGBTIQA people in Bosnia- Herzegovina. The Balkan countries can often be overlooked in discussions of ‘Europe’ and the situation for ‘European’ LGBTIQA people. When Balkan countries are discussed in general media, it is often in the context of ethnic conflict and not the challenges and victories of LGBTIQA people and communities. Drawing the Bosnian community in Copenhagen into the information event will bring nuance and dynamism to this conversation. The information work will be disseminated through LGBT Denmark’s newsletter and website. Bosnian activists will be invited to share their stories and photos with the Danish audience. The updates will also be shared internationally through the SOGI-list and the Amsterdam Network.