Call for participants: Security training – assessing security situations and developing security plans

Last year ILGA-Europe joined the Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program, a programme designed to provide emergency funds, advocacy support, and security assistance to human rights defenders and civil society organisations under threat or attack due to their LGBTI human rights work. It is in the framework of this programme that ILGA-Europe, in partnership with Heartland Alliance, will offer training for LGBTI Human Rights defenders from the European region on security issues. The training shall take place in Istanbul, Turkey, on 1 and 2 July 2013.

Deadline for applications: 6 May 2013

The objectives of this training are to:

• Raise awareness on basic security issues for human rights defenders and NGOs;
• Develop understanding on how a security assessment can be carried out and an organisation security plan can be developed;
• Provide practical examples of preventive security measures that NGOs and individual human rights defenders can take to mitigate risks.

The aim of the training is to support organisations in deepening their understanding of the consequences that come with undertaking human rights work in contexts or situations where they can be exposed to security treats or risks. The main focus of the training will be on physical security treats to individuals, organisational premises or during events, whilst limited attention will also be given to digital security issues.

Participants will exchange experiences in which they had to deal with security situations. Participants will be trained in undertaking a general organisational security assessment, which helps them to analyse risks. Participants will also be trained in security planning, which will support activists in identifying measures that can be taken to counter or mitigate concrete or potential risks.

The training is targeted at representatives of LGBT organisations that are exposed to, or that are likely to be exposed to security risks. Representatives of organisations that have experienced treats or concrete attacks will be prioritized in the selection of participants. The training will bring together a total number of 10 participants. Participants are expected to actively follow-up on the training by undertaking an organisational security assessment and develop an organisational security plan. The follow-up will consist of at minimal two conference calls during which implementation of actual security activities will be discussed.

This capacity building event is the first specific training event that ILGA-Europe dedicates to the topic of security. In the future further events may follow.

Profile of participants

Participants must be:

• Holders of a position of responsibility in an ILGA-Europe member organisation which primary aim is to advance human rights of LGBTI people;
• Supported in their application by their organisation;
• Committed to follow-up on the training by undertaking an organisational security assessment and develop an organisational security plan (supported by ILGA-Europe and Heartland Alliance) and participate in follow-up meetings (likely through conference calls, possibly through a physical follow-up meeting);
• Able to communicate effectively in English (although in case of sufficient interest, translation may be provided);
• Able to participate for the full duration of the training session

It is unlikely that it will be possible to accept more than one participant per organisation.

Date and Place of the Training

Date: Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 July
Place: Istanbul, Turkey – location to be confirmed
Arrival: Sunday June 30th
Departure: Tuesday 2 July evening, or 3 July morning if no late evening flights are available

Travel reimbursement

Due to funding requirements, ILGA-Europe will make travel arrangements for all participants. Local travel (buses, trains etc) will be covered through a per diem provided at the training.

Meals and accommodation

ILGA-Europe will cover the accommodation and meals from the evening of Sunday June 30th dinner on Tuesday 2nd of July. Any other costs related to meals and accommodation outside of these times will have to be covered by the participant unless previously agreed by ILGA-Europe.

Application process

Please complete the application form, and return Björn van Roozendaal, Programmes Director by May 6th the latest. The result of your application will be advised by 13 May 2013.

Deadline for this application: 6 May 2013.

Download the application form here.

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For any questions, please contact Björn van Roozendaal, Programmes Director