Over the four days of the Academy, participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge on LGBTQIA+ rights, advocacy, activism and organising in their communities through workshops, discussions, cultural activities and practical work. The programme focused on understanding the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ people across the region, as well as identifying ways to address them collectively.
The Academy brought together trainers who engaged with participants on a range of topics relevant to the regional queer movement — from rights protection and advocacy to trans rights and documenting human rights violations, as well as queer spaces, volunteering and organising Pride activities.
The Regional Pride Academy was preceded by five online sessions during which participants explored stakeholder and tactics mapping, defining advocacy goals, identifying problems and finding ways to engage citizens. These discussions served as an introduction to the four-day programme in Belgrade and enabled participants to bring experiences from their communities into the Academy’s collaborative work.
A special part of the programme was dedicated to developing the Pride Volunteer Guide, a practical resource bringing together the knowledge and experience needed to organise and volunteer at Pride events. Through collaborative work, participants contributed to the creation of a resource that other Pride organisations across the region, as well as volunteers, will be able to use.
The Academy programme also included visits to queer spaces in Belgrade and discussions about their importance to the LGBTQIA+ community. Through these visits and conversations, participants had the opportunity to discover spaces that serve as places for gathering, support, culture and community organising.
In addition to the educational programme, the Academy featured cultural activities, including a group screening of the film And God Created Trans and a discussion on themes related to queer experiences and the position of LGBTQIA+ people. The cultural programme provided an opportunity to explore the topics addressed during the workshops through art and personal experiences.
Participation in the Academy also included active involvement in the Belgrade Pride programme. Participants joined Pride and its accompanying activities, including volunteering and supporting the organisation of the event. This gave them the opportunity to put their knowledge of Pride organising into practice and gain first-hand insight into the different roles volunteers play in organising and delivering Pride events.
The Regional Pride Academy provides a space for young LGBTQIA+ activists from across the region to connect, as well as exchange experiences on how communities are built, campaigns are organised and LGBTQIA+ rights are advocated for in different contexts. Through collaborative work, the Academy fosters regional cooperation and builds connections that can continue to grow beyond the programme itself.
The second Regional Pride Academy took place in Belgrade during Pride Week, connecting the educational programme with concrete activism, organising and participation in events dedicated to the visibility and rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.
