The project entitled “FEMI-NET: Empowerment, networking and advocacy to defend gender rights” is implemented by Centre Diotima in the context of the BUILD programme, from April to November 2024.

Objectives

• To empower Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Greece, with a focus on organisations having a narrower range, which are supporting women, femininities and LGBTQI+ persons and are promoting gender equality and inclusivity, in order for them to boost their know-how on advocacy issues as well as their supervisory role with regard to the implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
• The exchange of good practices and expertise on advocacy in cooperation with European CSOs.

Target groups

• Human rights defenders supporting vulnerable population groups.
• Members of CSOs working in the social field for the promotion of gender equality and LGBTQI+ rights.
  Both target groups include women, men and non-binary persons over 18, members of the native and the migrant/refugee population and especially persons experiencing or at risk of experiencing constant violations of their fundamental rights.

Activities

• Information and empowerment seminars
  Through seminars the target groups of FEMI-NET will be informed about their rights and empowered in order to enhance their visibility and audibility. Then all those interested will become focal points in order to take up initiatives aiming to inform and raise awareness among wider social groups. All focal points will be supported and scientifically guided by Centre Diotima. It is expected that 25-30 members of CSOs, migrant/refugee communities and activists will participate in the seminars.
• Qualitative research – of a narrow range
  In the context of FEMI-NET there will be focus groups discussions and interviews in order to trace policies and measures contributing to the strengthening of fundamental rights and gender equality. The research also aims at documenting good practices of advocacy implemented by CSOs in Greece and the EU, which can be adopted on a national level.
• Mutual learning workshop
  The aim of the workshop is to develop a context enabling the exchange of experiences and know-how in order to explore the potential to set up an advocacy network and a common activity platform. The main objective is to strengthen the role of organisations on the level of advocacy, accountability and the supervision of planned and implemented policies regarding gender equality and intersectionality.
• Informing and raising awareness
  Activities for the promotion of the project, the publicization and diffusion of its outcomes and results and aiming to raise the awareness of the wider public.

** The project “FEMI-NET: Empowerment, networking and advocacy to defend gender rights” is implemented in the context of the BUILD programme by Centre Diotima. The programme “Building a robust and democratic civic space” (BUILD) aims to protect, promote and raise awareness of EU fundamental rights & values by supporting civil society organisations (CSOs) in Greece & Cyprus and by increasing their capacity and sustainability. BUILD is co-funded by the European Union, through the Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values (CERV) programme, and by the Bodossaki Foundation and NGO Support Centre, with a total grant amounting to €2.9 million. The Coordinator of BUILD is the Bodossaki Foundation (in Greece) in cooperation with the NGO Support Centre (in Cyprus).

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, the European Education and Culture Executive Agency or the Bodossaki Foundation. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.