IGLYO Activist Academy Brussels 2024

Improve Your LGBTQI Campaign Skills!

Are you ready to pierce the clouds and become a star in LGBTQI campaigning but need a boost on how to get there? We are very excited to bring the in-person Activist Academy back this summer for its sixth edition and welcome young LGBTQI activists for an unforgettable week of learning, planning, and growing! This year, the Activist Academy will have a specific focus on campaigning skills. We are looking forward to being welcomed to Brussels, Belgium, from 25 August to 1 September 2024.

Are you ready for your next queer youth activism adventure? Read the full call below and send us your application by Monday 20 May 2024 at 23:59 CEST.

What is the Activist Academy?

IGLYO’s Activist Academy is a skills-based training programme for young people between 18 and 30 at the beginning of their activist careers who are passionate about activism, intercultural exchange and learning, and have a strong interest in lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) rights. The goal is to empower emerging activists in acquiring the necessary skills for assuming key roles within LGBTQI organisations.

This year’s Activist Academy will focus specifically on campaigning skills. We will explore a wide range of aspects related to campaigning, for example:

• Strategic campaign planning;
• Communications and mobilisation;
• Research and advocacy;
• Artivism and craftivism;
• Campaigning for specific causes, e.g. Intersex and trans activism.

Where and when is it happening?

The Activist Academy 2024 will be hosted in Brussels, Belgium. You are expected to arrive on 25 August 2024 and depart on 1 September 2024. The Academy programme will last 6 full days.

How much does it cost?

While the fee to participate in the Activist Academy is €50 per participant, IGLYO will provide and cover accommodation and food for the duration of the Academy, and we will reimburse you up to €300 for your travel according to our travel and reimbursement policy, which will be sent to you if you are selected.

Keep in mind that you will be accommodated in a hostel and share your room with 1, 2 or 3 other participants. A small number of single rooms are available for accessibility reasons.

How does it work?

Be prepared for a wonderful and intensive experience! In a nutshell, here’s how the programme will be organised:

1. Breaking the ice: The first day will consist of an introductory session where we will break the ice, get to know each other, create teams, and learn more about the programme.
2. Expert workshops: Throughout the week, you will attend interactive workshops with experts (they will be announced soon) on relevant topics. This year, we will have a specific focus on campaigning skills.
3. Real-life challenges: Once you’ve completed the expert workshops, you will put what you’ve learnt into practice and translate your new skills and knowledge into action by undertaking real-life challenges with the help of your teammates and the support of mentors. 
4. Presenting: You will then be asked to present your finished projects to other participants and will receive feedback from the experts and/or from IGLYO staff. 

Who can apply?

The call for the Activist Academy Brussels 2024 is for you if you:

• Are a novice (or intermediate) LGBTQI activist or plan to become one;
• Are between 18 and 30 years old, at the date of application;
• Are based in a Council of Europe Member State (see full list here), or Russia, Belarus or Kosovo;
• Are able to use English at an intermediate-advanced level.

IGLYO Member Organisations (see full list here) have priority in taking part in the Academy if the demand is too high. If you are not a Member, you can still apply as long as you meet the above criteria and are based in a Council of Europe Member State, or Russia, Belarus and Kosovo.

​IGLYO particularly welcomes applications from underrepresented groups and communities such as young women, trans youth (including non-binary), intersex youth, young people from Black communities, other communities of colour and ethnic minorities, refugees/migrants, sex workers, disabled youth (including neurodivergent youth), young people living with HIV, and fat young people.

IGLYO is committed to making its events accessible and inclusive for everyone, and this event is open to all young queer activists, regardless of ability. Please let us know  about any accessibility needs you may have in the application form, and we will work to ensure all feasible accommodations are provided for.

Why join the Activist Academy?

By joining the Activist Academy Brussels, you will amongst other:

• Get to learn crucial activism and campaigning skills from seasoned experts;
• More specifically this year, the Activist Academy will cover topics such as strategic campaign planning, communications and mobilisation, research and advocacy, and how to use creativity and artistic expression for campaigning and storytelling; 
• Have the chance to directly practise your new skills while receiving direct feedback from the mentors and experts;
• Improve your confidence working in a team and in an international setting;
• Meet over 25 other young LGBTQI activists from across the Council of Europe Region and build everlasting relationships;
• Learn more about the local LGBTQI community in Brussels through an exciting social programme;
• And many more for you to discover!

How to apply?

Up for this adventure? Make sure to read the full call above, and send us your application through this application form by 20 May 2024 at 23:59 CEST. Selected participants will be contacted shortly after the deadline.

Questions & contact

For any questions, please contact our Programmes Team Viola (She/her) and Ali (They/them) at programmes@iglyo.org. 

Photos from the last edition

If you’re still unsure whether this programme is for you, take a look at the programme and photos of last year’s Activist Academy Tallinn 2023 for a full sneak peek at what to expect!

With the Support of

The Activist Academy Brussels 2024 is organised by IGLYO — International LGBTQI Youth and Student Organisation and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education Culture & Science, the Citizens, the Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme of the European Union, and the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.