RFSL’s international strategy

Today, RFSL runs an extensive international programme with over 80 partner organisations, primarily based in Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. We also carry out advocacy for LGBTQI rights in high-level political forums such as the United Nations, where RFSL raises awareness of the lived realities of LGBTQI people and supports activists from the Global South and East in making their voices heard.

Through RFSL, crucial resources are channelled to the global LGBTQI movement, which remains significantly underfunded. According to the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, just 0.04% of international development funding currently goes to LGBTQI organisations and initiatives. This makes RFSL a unique and vital source of support for LGBTQI activists and organisations.

Purpose of RFSL’s international strategy

The aim of the international strategy is to guide the organisation and support RFSL in continuing to learn, evolve, and strengthen our international efforts, grounded in our core values.

In the strategy, you can read about:

• RFSL’s goals for its international work
• How RFSL selects its partner organisations
• How RFSL strengthens partners through funding, training, and other resources
• The values that underpin RFSL’s work, including feminism, anti-racism and decoloniality

How the international strategy was developed

The strategy was developed through a series of workshops led by strategist and analyst Terri Beswick from iklektik, in collaboration with RFSL’s international unit. The development process also involved the management team and other parts of the organisation. Valuable input from RFSL’s partner organisations, who generously shared their experience, also helped shape the final strategy.

RFSL’s international work in practice

Would you like to learn more about how RFSL supports LGBTQI organisations around the world? Read about one of our newest partner organisations: Initiative for Equality and Non Discrimination (INEND).