LGBTIQ Workplace Equality Programme is implemented with the aim of creating a safe and accepting environment for LGBTIQ+ employees and employment seekers in Croatia through the implementation of evaluation and educational models and tools, knowledge exchange and encouraging cooperation between civil society organizations, unions and employers as well as relevant institutions.
The programme was launched in 2015 by Croatian NGOs Expanse of Gender and Media Culture – Common Zone, Lesbian Organization Rijeka “LORI”, Organization for Workers’ Initiative and Democratization – OWID and NGO Dawn. In the next few years we extensively worked with volunteers to educate and foster greater participation of the student population in the work of NGOs working in the field of labour rights and human rights of the LGBTIQ people. During this period, we also conducted two surveys, one among LGBTIQ employees and the other among employers, in order to gain a better insight into the state of rights and working conditions of LGBTIQ workers and job seekers in Croatia. The results of the research have shown a rather alarming situation in Croatia, where over 75% of LGBTQ workers and job seekers have experienced some form of discrimination, harassment and / or abuse in the workplace or when seeking employment.
To help the LGBTIQ community with legal issues in the field of work and employment, we have launched a free legal aid, through a website.
In order to stimulate discussion on this topic in the public space, we organized several public events – round tables, panels and a conference – through which we expanded the network of collaborators and gained new allies.
In 2017, we launched the first Croatian Workplace Equality Index, in the development of which we were assisted by two established organizations – RFSL from Sweden and Stonewall from the UK, through education and consulting.
The Workplace Equality Index is an essential instrument by which organizations can measure their performance and success in reducing discrimination based on sexual orientation and / or gender identity and expression and creating an inclusive workplace environment. As an evaluation framework for policies and practices within the organization and organizational culture on workplace equality and inclusion, it is a valuable document for the employer, employees and the community as a whole.
In order to sensitize the public and encourage employers to participate in the Index, we launched a national campaign – our videos were broadcast on television, and in larger cities in Croatia, passers-by could see our billboards and city lights.
We also sent an invitation to participate in the Index to 5,000 employers in Croatia, of which 95 participated in the benchmark, mostly from the non-profit and public sector.
Work Equality for All (2019–2021)
Implemented by K-zona, LORI, Foundation SOLIDARNA, and Stichting Centrum Tumba (NL), this 28-month project built on the 2015–2017 “LGBTI Equality at the Workplace” initiative. In 2020, we launched Croatia’s first employer awareness rasing training under this project. A key innovation was the development and staging of an original theatrical play inside employers’ organisations to model inclusive practices and address SOGIESCE-based discrimination through real-world scenarios—an approach inspired by methods pioneered by our Dutch partner. The project also re-ran Croatia’s Workplace Equality Indicator and published the first Workplace Equality Index report, strengthened cross-sector cooperation, and presented results at a final conference.
Within the project, we produced the documentary I’d Like to Have It at Home, featuring nine Croatian LGBTIQ+ protagonists who speak from lived experience about the bullying, discrimination and violence they endured, and about growing up, family relationships and coming out. The film toured Croatia during community events and was screened at film festivals across Europe.
LGBTIQ Work Equality Alliance (2021–2023)
In 2021 we launched the continuation project LGBTIQ Work Equality Alliance, together with LORI (HR) and Legebitra (SI), building on earlier cooperation among Croatian and Slovenian CSOs, employers and trade unions. The project advanced workplace inclusion for LGBTIQ+ people and addressed discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESCE).
The project strengthened partnerships with employers, trade unions and LGBTIQ+ communities to support safer, more inclusive workplaces. Between 2021 and 2023, we exchanged practices among European CSOs, which informed programmes for employers and trade unions in Croatia and Slovenia. We developed a comprehensive employer programme that began with a Workplace Equality Index needs-assessment and continued with tailor-made training within employers’ organisations, covering awareness-raising, internal and external LGBTIQ+ DEI policies and practices, and specialised sessions for management, HR and employees. Employers in Slovenia and Croatia who completed the full programme received a certificate.
We also ran awareness-raising activities and encouraged participation in Workplace Equality Week campaigns in both countries.
In parallel, we collaborated with trade unions to develop internal union practices and delivered training to strengthen their capacity to advance workplace equality for LGBTIQ people and to combat workplace discrimination based on SOGIESCE. Finally, we increased LGBTIQ+ community knowledge of employment rights and protections through community events across Slovenia and Croatia, encouraging the reporting of discrimination.
We concluded the project in December 2023 with the international conference Workplace Equality 2023 – A Workplace Proud of Diversity, held in Zagreb and online. The first day featured employers from the private and public sectors sharing inclusion practices; the second examined trade-union approaches, cross-sector cooperation, and challenges faced by trans, intersex and gender-diverse people in recruitment and at work. Participants spanned civil society, unions, companies, public bodies and European organisations, including Croatia’s Gender Equality Ombudsperson, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), Workplace Pride Foundation (Netherlands), the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights, Pride Business Forum (CZ), the University of Rijeka, the City of Ljubljana, Public Services International (France), SKUPA (Croatia), Diversity Charter Croatia, AGPRO (Austria), and the Ambassador of Ireland to Slovenia and to Bosnia and Herzegovina, among others. The programme was hosted by the drag queer art collective House of Flamingo.
Foto: Nina Đurđević
