The project “Di.V.E.S.: Diversity, Visibility, Elderly’s Support” aims to protect and promote the human and gender rights of LGBTQI+ people aged over 55. The project is being implemented as part of the PLATO program by Diotima Centre and Proud Seniors Greece, from January to December 2026.

Objective

The aim of the project is to highlight the inequalities, discrimination, and violations experienced by LGBTQI+ people over 55 in multiple areas of daily life. Di.V.E.S. focuses in particular on gender-based violence, lack of visibility, and barriers to accessing fundamental rights such as health, welfare, care, housing, work, and social spaces.

Purpose

The purpose of the project is, on the one hand, to document discrimination and, on the other hand, to empower the LGBTQI+ community with knowledge, tools, and advocacy practices. At the same time, Di.V.E.S. seeks to raise awareness among frontline professionals, relevant bodies, and the general public, as well as to contribute to the formulation of policy recommendations that will promote equal access to rights.

Activities

• Research: Secondary research and data analysis of discrimination and inequalities experienced by LGBTQI+ people over 55 in areas such as health, care, housing, employment, and gender-based violence, with the help of qualitative tools (focus groups).
• Violations Monitoring Observatory: Creation of a nationwide online tool for the anonymous recording of testimonies of violations of the rights of LGBTQI+ people over the age of 55, with the aim of documenting and highlighting the phenomenon, as well as creating a “safe space” where people can share their experiences. The goal is to collect 100 testimonies.
• “Know your Rights” seminars & mutual learning: Implementation of seminars and activities for the exchange of knowledge and good practices with partner organizations from abroad, with the aim of empowering activists and community leaders and acquiring advocacy tools. 30 people will participate in the workshops.
• Raising-awareness campaign: Design and dissemination of digital material based on the project’s findings, with the aim of informing and raising awareness among the community, frontline professionals, and the general public.
• Policy recommendations: Formulation and publication of evidence-based policy recommendations to relevant bodies and professionals, based on the data and experiences highlighted throughout the project, which will actively contribute to advocacy and policy-making.

Target groups

• LGBTQI+ individuals over the age of 55
• LGBTQI+ activists, community members
• Professionals in the project’s areas of interest
• General public

Geographical scope of intervention

Nationwide

The project “Di.V.E.S.: Diversity, Visibility, Elderly’s Support” is being implemented as part of the PLATO program, with Diotima Centre as the implementing body and Proud Seniors Greece as a partner. PLATO is co-funded by the European Union through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) program, the Bodossaki Foundation, and the NGO Support Center, with a total grant of €3.1 million.

Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the European Union, the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), the Bodossaki Foundation, or the NGO SUPPORT CENTRE. The European Union, the EACEA, the Bodossaki Foundation, and the NGO SUPPORT CENTRE cannot be held responsible for the opinions expressed.