Minister announces funding to create a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for LGBTI+ young people

Over €440,000 allocated across Phases One and Two.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, today announced Phase Two of the LGBTI+ Capacity Building Initiative. Funding is being provided through this phase to support LGBTI+ young people throughout the country.

The funding will provide for organisations working with young people to undertake training, mentoring, coaching and development of policies to work with LGBTI+ young people. It aims to support the development of better, more supportive services nationwide for LGBTI+_young people, through sharing of knowledge and expertise.

The Initiative is part of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy, which is the first of its kind in the world. A key action from the Strategy is to "create a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for LGBTI+ young people".

Speaking today, Minister Zappone said that:

ENDS

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs administered €165,686 in 2019 for Phase One of Capacity Building Initiatives in LGBTI+ specific organisations or services on a pre-funding basis over the last quarter of 2019.

The total amount allocated across Phases One and Two in 2019 and 2020 is €446,558.

The attached table outlines the allocations for Phase Two (2020) under this Capacity Building Initiative.

LGBTI+ Capacity Building Initiatives

• in September 2019, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone TD, announced the launch of a grant scheme for LGBTI+ Capacity Building initiatives for professional service providers who deal with young people
• Objective 7 of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy seeks to "Provide capacity building measures among service providers to improve their understanding of, and ability to engage with, LGBTI+ young people”
• Action 7(a) of the Strategy seeks to "Implement evidence-based LGBTI+ training, CPD initiatives and guidelines targeted at professional service providers and youth services"
• in making an application for funding the organisation was obliged to show how the initiative is additional to the current provision delivered by the service
• the amount of the grants awarded was dependent on the nature of the proposal, the frequency/intensity of the engagement and the reach, impact and duration of the project
• applications were sent directly to DCYA and a Selection Panel evaluated them

LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy

The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy was published in June 2018 and is a world first. It is a key commitment for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and makes a significant contribution towards the government's broader commitment to continue to strive for the full inclusion of LGBTI+ people in Irish society. The mission of the Strategy is to ensure all LGBTI+ young people are visible, valued and included.

The Strategy seeks to ensure a cross-governmental approach to put additional measures in place to further enhance the lives of LGBTI+ young people and address some of the key challenges they may face as part of their day-to-day lives. The Strategy sets out the goals and objectives for serving the needs of LGBTI+ people aged 10–24.

The aims of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy are to:

• improve environments and services for LGBTI+ young people
• support better training for professionals engaging with LGBTI+ young people
• enforce anti-bullying policies and address anti-LGBTI+ discrimination
• address the health and wellbeing of LGBTI+ young people
• expand legislation to include and protect LGBTI+ young people
• generate information and insight into the needs of LGBTI+ young people

The Strategy and its governance lie within the framework of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020 and contributes to achievement of the five national outcomes for children and young people:

• active and healthy, with positive physical and mental wellbeing
• achieving their full potential in all areas of learning and development
• safe and protected from harm
• economic security and opportunity
• connected, respected and contributing to their world