Call for participants: UNSTOPPABLE: Pride organisers’ summit
ILGA-Europe and Ljubljana Pride Association are inviting Pride organisers from Europe and Central Asia to join UNSTOPPABLE: a seminar for Pride organisers to gain a bird’s eye view, sharpen strategies for the future of Prides, and be in community with each other.
24-28 November 2025, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until 27 October 2025
Why we are gathering
Pride organisers across Europe and Central Asia have been moving mountains for years – and the future calls for this Pride power more than ever.
At a time of rising authoritarianism and shrinking civic space, along with fragmentation and polarisation of communities, movements and societies, Prides are at once vulnerable and powerful. They are increasingly hit by attacks and bans, as well as by polarisation and fragmentation within our communities and societies. Yet, Prides remain one of the strongest expressions of people power and collective action, and have a unique potential to drive civic participation and wider social change.
UNSTOPPABLE will bring Pride organisers from across the region together to step back, share knowledge, learn, and reflect strategically – seeing the patterns, the risks, and the possibilities of Pride organising. Through strategic dialogue, peer learning, and networking, we will explore how Prides can further position themselves as catalysts for social change, work in unison with broader democratic and progressive agendas, and strengthen their organising.
This will be a space to celebrate what the Prides across the region have built, face our challenges together, and make sure Prides keep being the unstoppable power to co-shape a better future for our community and societies at large.
What you’ll get out of it
- Time and space to step back from daily pressures and see the bigger picture for Prides across Europe and Central Asia
- Shared strategic reflection on where Pride organising stands today – and how it connects to wider struggles for democracy, freedom of assembly, and fundamental rights
- Deep dive into connecting the Pride movement with the climate justice movement, including sustainable Pride organising
- Honest conversations about navigating divisions, polarisation, and political positioning within and beyond our communities
- Collective thinking on how to “future-proof” Prides: building resilience, solidarity, and stronger strategies together
- A network of Pride organisers who’ve got your back
- Energy, inspiration, and solidarity to take home to your Pride team
Who should apply
We invite applications from LGBTI activists:
- With leadership / key roles in Pride organising in their national contexts: having hands-on experience in planning and running Prides and, ideally, holding responsibility for the strategic direction of Pride organising work in their organisation,
- From LGBTI organisations with Prides and Pride events as a core part of organisational strategies, and
- Working and organising in one of the countries in Europe and Central Asia.
This summit is designed for movement-based Prides that work to advance human rights, civic participation, and social change. It is not intended for large commercial or corporate-led Pride events whose primary focus is entertainment, marketing or tourism.
We aim for up to 30 participants, representing the diversity of Pride organising across Europe and Central Asia. To support a balanced representation, we ask all organisations to limit their applications to one per organisation.
Note: You need to be present for the whole event (arriving on 24 November, leaving on 28 November, 2025).
Practical details
- Dates: 24-28 November 2025 (with arrival on 24 Nov morning/ afternoon and departure on 28 Nov, afternoon)
- Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Language: English
- Accommodation: arranged by the organisers in shared studios with a twin bedroom and a kitchenette (you will share accommodation with another participant), check-in on 24th and check-out on 28th November.
- Travel: You will need to arrange your own travel and will have it reimbursed after the event, in line with the below reimbursement scale. Green travel is supported if your journey is fully low-emissions. Please review the following section for full information.
- Flow of the event: the event will start with a welcome dinner on 24 November, continue with a full-day programme across 25-27 November, close with a short morning activity on 28 November, followed by departures.
- Meals: breakfasts (included with accommodation), lunches and coffee (across the programme on 25-27th), welcome dinner on 24 November, closing dinner on 27 November
- Per diem: a flat amount of per diem will be offered to cover remaining dinners and travel time; recommendations of dinner places will be provided in the info pack for participants
- Accessibility: We will do our best to accommodate your needs – let us know in the application form what helps you participate fully
- Visa: We will provide an invitation letter and will reimburse the pre-approved visa application costs. We advise to apply for participation as soon as possible if you require a visa to join the event
How to apply
- Fill in the application form by 23:59 CET on 27 October 2025 at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UnstoppablePrides. A reference copy of the form is available below to help you prepare your answers
- We are reviewing and assessing applications on a rolling basis, so apply early – spots may fill up before the deadline
- Selection of participants is based on the participant profile and organisational fit as outlined in the section “Who should apply”
Next steps
- You will hear from us within two weeks of applying
- If your application is successful, you will need to move through the steps outlined in the section “Important logistical info if you are selected” – and we will be there to help you if needed
- Confirmed participants will get a detailed info pack with programme and logistics
- We may also invite you to contribute further ideas before the event and to do a light reflection ahead of the event
Important logistical info if you are selected
- As soon as your participation is approved, you’ll need to confirm your spot by providing essential personal and organisational details in an online form within 5 days from approval
- Your organisation will sign a cooperation agreement with Ljubljana Pride Association for this event, due to requirements of one of the funding sources for the event – Erasmus+
- You will need a European Commission Organisation ID (OID) (registering is quick if you don’t have one yet, and we will offer guidance and support)
- You are responsible for health/ travel insurance and, if relevant, visa application (you will receive a visa invitation letter and can have your visa costs reimbursed if agreed in advance)
- You will need to keep all receipts, invoices, and boarding passes for reimbursement
- You are responsible for arranging your own travel to and from Ljubljana, keeping in mind the need to be present for the entire event (evening of 24 Nov – morning of 28 Nov.), maximum amounts of reimbursement (see below), as well as the following:
- Distance is calculated via the European Commission distance calculator,
- The Green travel budget is only applicable if the entire journey is made via low-emissions means of transport (train, bus, car-pooling),
About the organisers
ILGA-Europe work for a world in which each and every LGBTI person is free, equal and safe, through resourcing and connecting communities, driving political change, and amplifying voices. We strive to provide a solid foundation for activists and organisations, in particular at times of great adversity. We are an independent regional umbrella organisation based in Brussels, Belgium, and uniting over 700 organisations from 54 countries across Europe and Central Asia.
Ljubljana Pride Association contributes to the establishment of a society that will be non-discriminatory, inclusive and open to all individuals, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity or any other personal circumstance. It was established with the aim of safeguarding the human rights and interests of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people. The association acts as a youth, voluntary, independent and non-profit civil society organisation, and has been organising Ljubljana Pride since 2009.
Questions?
- With questions about the call for participants and the event’s programme, please reach out to Anastasia Smirnova, ILGA-Europe’s Programmes Director, at anastasia@ilga-europe.org
- If you have logistical questions or would like to know more about the steps after having your participation approved, please reach out to apply@ljubljanapride.org
Ljubljana Pride Association and ILGA-Europe look forward to bringing us all together!
The seminar is co-financed by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, in the framework of a partnership with ILGA World.
