EL*C is proud to award 350,000 EUR in 2026 to support 19 projects in the European Union, through the Lesbian Economic Power (EU) grantmaking programme. The selected initiatives will strengthen lesbians’ economic independence, expand access to employment and entrepreneurship, and reinforce the long-term sustainability of lesbian-led organisations across the European Union.
We would like to thank every organisation that applied. The quality of the proposals was exceptionally high, making the selection process both inspiring and highly competitive.
Lesbian organisations continue to be among the most underfunded actors in civil society, despite the vital role they play in advancing equality and human rights. Through this grantmaking programme, EL*C is investing in practical solutions that create new economic opportunities for lesbians while helping organisations build stronger, more sustainable futures.
The 19 selected projects will deliver training, mentoring, entrepreneurship support, employer engagement, business planning and other innovative initiatives tailored to the needs of lesbian communities across the EU. Together, they demonstrate that strengthening lesbian economic power is essential to achieving lasting equality.
Meet the organisations selected under the EL*C Lesbian Economic Power (EU) 2026 grant programme:
Arcigay’s Transfeminist Women’s Network, Italy
“L Work is a lesbian economic empowerment project that builds a bridge between lesbians and local companies, acting both on the strengthening of individual skills and on the transformation of work environments.”
Clube Safo, Portugal
“The project delivers training on employability, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, creates networking and partnership opportunities for lesbian-led micro-businesses, establishes a think tank on sustainable futures, and supports businesses in developing inclusive, non-discriminatory workplaces.”
Crazy Circle, Belgium
“The project aims to transform Crazy Circle’s existing lesbian-led community space into a stronger and more sustainable social economy model. By developing organisational capacity, exploring diversified income strategies, strengthening partnerships and supporting economic opportunities within the lesbian community, the project contributes to long-term resilience, autonomy and socio-economic empowerment.”
Dar Loubna, France
“The project improves the economic inclusion of lesbians from working-class and migrant backgrounds through skills development, entrepreneurship support and collective capacity building. It strengthens pathways towards financial independence while addressing barriers linked to discrimination and social exclusion.”
Emphilio, Greece
“The project delivers workshops on creative production, entrepreneurship, freelancing and portfolio development for lesbian creatives, complemented by individual career guidance. Employer training and networking activities connect participants with businesses and organisations to expand employment and self-employment opportunities.”
HOSI Wien (Lesbian group), Austria
“The project delivers training on job applications, interviews, professional networking, digital skills and financial planning for lesbians. It also offers workshops on workplace rights and artificial intelligence, a simulated assessment centre, and a networking event connecting participants with employers and professional networks.”
La Raposa, Spain
“The project develops an economic feasibility study, a strategic business plan and a care-centred economic model to strengthen the long-term sustainability of a lesbian cooperative. It also supports knowledge exchange, stakeholder consultation and a community outreach campaign to expand its social and economic resilience.”
LesbenRing, Germany
“The project strengthens the long-term sustainability of Germany’s national lesbian network by improving organisational capacity, strategic collaboration and resource mobilisation. It supports a more resilient infrastructure for lesbian-led organisations and initiatives nationwide.”
LesWorking, Spain
“The project delivers mentoring, networking and leadership workshops for lesbians, develops workplace inclusion resources for employers, and facilitates knowledge exchange among lesbian entrepreneurs and organisations. Together, these activities strengthen professional opportunities, entrepreneurship and workplace inclusion.”
LORI – Lesbian Organisation Rijeka, Croatia
“Main goal of the project is to increase the financial sustainability, resilience, and autonomy of LORI through the development of innovative philanthropy and self-financing models, as well as to strengthen the capacities of LBTIQ women in entrepreneurship, career development, and economic independence.”
Nos Mesmas, Spain
“The project delivers entrepreneurship training, mentoring and employability workshops for lesbians, while creating a peer support network and a business directory promoting lesbian-led enterprises. It also develops a sustainable membership-based model that strengthens the long-term resilience of the organisation.”
QLAC, France
“The project brings together rural lesbian organisations to exchange knowledge on sustainable economic models and develops peer-led workshops on creative, digital and entrepreneurial skills. It also assesses new income-generating opportunities to strengthen the long-term sustainability of lesbian-led initiatives.”
QueeriséEs, France
“The project improves the employability of racialised lesbians through career guidance, skills development and professional mentoring. It strengthens access to sustainable employment while addressing structural barriers to economic inclusion and workplace equality.”
Sapphic Community organisation, Greece
“The project prepares lesbians for seasonal employment through vocational training, language support and practical guidance tailored to local labour market needs. It also helps participants obtain the administrative requirements for employment while strengthening pathways to economic independence.”
ŠKUC (Lesbian Quarter), Slovenia
“The project supports the development of a sustainable lesbian-led digital economy model by strengthening skills, professional opportunities, and collaboration between lesbians working in cultural and technology sectors. Through research, business development, capacity building, and testing of innovative approaches, the project aims to create new economic opportunities while increasing the resilience and sustainability of lesbian-led organisations.”
Stichting OndersteBoven, Netherlands
“The project delivers training on labour rights, workplace resilience, negotiation and collective action for lesbians. It also connects participants with permanent trade union networks, creating lasting access to professional support, representation and resources that strengthen long-term labour market participation.”
Violette and Co, France
“The project develops the sustainability of the organisation, and economic models to strengthen the long-term operation of the lesbian cultural space, Violette and Co. It supports strategic planning, resource diversification and organisational development to reinforce the space’s financial sustainability and community impact.”
WeWiem Fund, Poland
“The project strengthens the economic resilience of Belarusian lesbian migrants through practical vocational training, entrepreneurship support and digital skills development. It combines technical workshops with peer networking to expand opportunities for self-employment and long-term economic independence.”
Zagara, Italy
“The project delivers professional training, mentoring and networking for lesbians, alongside employer engagement activities promoting inclusive workplaces. It also develops a business plan to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the organisation and its support for lesbian economic inclusion.”