Members of “Econet” conduct focus groups among the youth of the LGBTQ+ community.

On December 15, 2024, members of “Econet Ukraine” conducted an extensive focus group to assess the situation and needs of young LGBTQ+ individuals during the war in Ukraine.

The focus group included 23 young representatives from various LGBTQ+ communities, students, and professionals from different fields, with and without activism or volunteer experience, as well as representatives from the entertainment industry, the creative sector, and academia.

During the focus group, participants discussed the specific challenges and needs faced by young LGBTQ+ people during the war. They explored the impact of the war on mental health, social integration, access to resources and support, and identified difficulties in accessing safe spaces, legal assistance, and other vital resources. They also discussed the needs for developing activism within the community.

The outcome of the discussion was a long list of needs, ideas, and proposals, which participants agreed to work on in a more focused format. Members of the focus group formed a small initiative group of young LGBTQ+ representatives, who are joining the youth initiative of “Econet Ukraine.”