In addition, Member States may decide to organize general campaigns and activities or they may identify specific projects they would like to carry out during the Year. Where individual actions are defined in the national programme, LGBT organisations or groups fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation should also be eligible to implement such activities if and when it is relevant. (See section on “national implementing bodies and NGOs”)

In short, what role should you be able to play in the national preparatory process?

• Be consulted on the national priorities for the Year 2007 and on issues to be addressed during the Year
• Be able to participate in national activities during the Year 2007 (e.g. by contributing to campaigns, taking part in meeting and events, or undertaking activities/projects that might be included in the national strategy)

The Commission has the right to ask for revisions to the national strategy and proposed activities if it considers that a Member State’s proposal does not meet the objectives and principles of the Year (Annex II, par. 5). For example, if a Member State does not respect the principle of balanced treatment of grounds or involved NGOs representing all the grounds of discrimination, the Commission may ask this state to change its national programme.

But it is important to keep in mind that the Commission may have a limited amount of time to review and approve the national programmes of all the member states. Therefore, it is important to keep us informed about the process in your country and to raise issues as soon as they come up both with ILGA-Europe and the Commission. In particular, we need to be raising our concerns to the Commission regarding unbalanced treatment of sexual orientation discrimination in the national priorities and the lack of consultation with from NGOs representing LGB people as soon as possible.

You will find the contact details for national implementing bodies in the “useful information and contacts” section.