PlanetRomeo Foundation is an independent, registered non-profit
established in 2009 to contribute to the fight for equal rights and
opportunities for LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and
intersex) people. With the support of ROMEO BV, the company behind PLANETROMEO, the Foundation is uniquely placed to draw strength from one of the largest online platforms.
PlanetRomeo Foundation provides funding up to € 5,000 to grassroots
emerging LGBTI projects and initiatives. Our support focuses on
achieving societal change in order to improve the position of LGBTI
people throughout the world, with an emphasis on the most disadvantaged
regions and communities. We also focus on mobilizing and activating the
LGBTI community in those challenging contexts.
The Foundation gives high priority to small-scale projects which are
initiated and implemented by the LGBTI community itself and/or by
emerging LGBTI groups and initiatives. The projects must aim to involve,
empower and mobilize the community. Projects may target
sub-communities, e.g. lesbian and/or gay and/or bisexual and/or trans
and/or intersex communities.
The Foundation strives for a balance between accessibility, quality
and maintaining a good standard in project accountability. Criteria that
will be taken into account in the assessment process are:
- quality of the project proposal;
- relevance;
- how realistic the approach is;
- foreseen impact;
- the degree to which the proposal is complementary to existing services and/or activities.
Funding themes
PlanetRomeo Foundation supports projects and initiatives under the following themes:
Community Organizing
PlanetRomeo Foundation supports (initial) essential steps in
community formation and organizing. These steps are crucial to the
process of empowerment and a prerequisite to further community
development and activism, and building critical mass to evoke change.
Community Organizing focuses on joint efforts, not personal development.
The Foundation aims to fund initiatives at an ignition point, where
LGBTI people come together to organize themselves in the interest of
their communities and to develop common goals. Community Organizing can
take place offline and online.
Shelter
Every day, all around the world, LGBTI people suffer from bullying,
discrimination, exclusion, violence, imprisonment, even execution, and
are generally at risk for their safety and their lives. PlanetRomeo
Foundation supports initiatives that provide (temporary) basic Shelter
facilities for LGBTI people, especially in those countries and regions
where their safety and wellbeing is most at risk. Shelter projects can
provide refuge and support around the clock, during the day or specific
time slots. Activities in the shelter, that further support LGBTI people
can be eligible for funding too.
Sports & Culture
PlanetRomeo Foundation believes sports and cultural activities can
make a positive impact on other aspects and areas of people’s lives. The
Foundation provides funding to projects that play a distinct role in
mobilizing, connecting and strengthening local, disadvantaged LGBTI
communities, or making these communities more visible.
What projects are eligible for funding?
- Projects which align with PlanetRomeo Foundation’s funding policy.
- The Foundation funds two categories of emerging initiatives:
- Initiatives of (relatively) new informal LGBTI groups or organizations with little or no access to other sources of funding;
- More experienced LGBTI organizations that develop new initiatives for which they have not yet previously received funding and are difficult to fund elsewhere.
- Although all geographical regions are eligible, the Foundation gives priority to countries outside the Global North. Within a country, all geographical areas are eligible, but where we can, we give priority to rural and/or more remote areas.
- Community Organizing projects focusing on community gatherings, as a starting point of LGBTI community/movement building, community workshops, etc.
- Community Organizing projects that focus on means through which LGBTI community members can share, exchange, find information, receive counseling online, especially in regions and countries where ‘offline’ community gatherings are impossible or dangerous.
- Community Organizing projects and initiatives for and with LGBTI people and their (chosen) families.
- Shelter projects that provide around the clock support (including sleeping facilities) and/or offer shelter and support during the day or specific time slots. Activities taking place in or attached to the shelter, that further support LGBTI people making use of the shelter, can be eligible too.
- Sports & Culture projects which also aim at empowerment, workshops, training, public awareness and/or other activities.
