2022 Impact report

In the 2021-22 financial year FDPN has invested time and resources in the capacity building of the organisation.

The team achieved the following:

• Strengthened of governance and internal processes
• Sustained and strengthened fundraising efforts
• Strengthened relationships with private philanthropy
• Established a new revenue stream such as merchandise sale
• Strengthened our fee for service offering
• Strengthened relationships with the state/territory and Commonwealth government
• Sustained international influence and footprint.

Here are more details on the 2022 impact and achievements:

Capacity building of LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people

• Ran a peer-support group for LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people in Canberra
• Facilitated connections, referrals to relevant services for community
• Continued the operation of the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Committee

Financial support for LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people

• Ongoing provision of grocery vouchers, phone credits and payment of utility bills
• Piloting emergency relief for LGBTIQ+ Ukrainians (help with reallocation or evacuation)

Community knowledge building

• Ran a workshop on online safety for LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people
• Creation of online materials for LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people

Building capacity of services

• Launched the online training module for services on the inclusion of the issues of LGBTIQ+ forced displacement
• Delivered training sessions for settlement services
• Partnered with Migration Council of Australia and Settlement Council of Australia to deliver a range of professional development session for their membership
• Delivered lectures on LGBTIQ+ forced displacement for students of Monash University and Melbourne University

Building evidence base

• Developed in co-design and (currently) running the national survey to document the issues that LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people experience (including obtained ANU ethics clearance)
• Ran a consultation on the experiences of sexual violence (commissioned by LGBTIQ+ Health Australia)
• Ran a consultation on the access to legal assistance (commissioned by Refugee Advice and Casework Service)

Policy and advocacy on LGBTIQ+ forced displacement

• Contributed to the national advocacy on increased resettlement spaces for Afghans
• Made representations to the Department of Home Affairs on a range of LGBTIQ+ displacement issues including through submissions
• Participated in the national LGBTIQ+ refugee advocacy group

Awareness raising on LGBTIQ+ forced displacement

• Created unique content on LGBTIQ+ forced displacement through social media, newsletters and blogs
• Participated in a wide number of events across Australia and gave media interviews

Bringing issues of LGBTIQ+ displacement to the international level

• Guided the development of the UNHCR Global Roundtable on LGBTIQ+ Forced Displacement as a part of their Advisory Group and led the closing plenary of the event
• Presented at the US government roundtable on LBQ refugee women