IGY social youth group Kiryat Gat and Hevel Lachish
IGY- Israeli LGBTQ+ youth and young adults’ organization
Field: Informal Education
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Requested sum: $16,800
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28% of total budget
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Location: Kiryat Gar, Lachish
// About the Organization
IGY, The Israeli national youth and young adults LGBTQ+ organization is dedicated to creating safe spaces for more than 4,500 participants from all identities and Israeli sectors.
// Project Description
The project will continue and strengthen IGY’s LGBTQ+ youth group in Kiryat Gat and Lachish, providing a professional, safe and consistent space for young people between the ages of 12–18. IGY’s weekly social meetings, regional and national activities as well as public events and psychosocial support- ensure resilience, belonging, social skills, leadership and equality. Activities are free or subsidized, if necessary, accessible and focused on empowering youth as change agents.
// Project Goals
The goals of the project are to strengthen the LGBTQ+ youth group in Kiryat Gat as a safe space for emotional, social and community growth. To enhance resilience and cope with the impacts of the war, to deepen cooperation with the Municipality and Youth Department and to promote acceptance, pluralism & equality while empowering youth as change agents.
// Target Population
Immediate circle: 12–20 LGBTQ+ youth participants between the ages of 12–18 from Kiryat Gat and Lachish. Second circle: parents / families of the youth who receive guidance and support: about 100. Third circle: classmates, school staff, Pride attendees, ~150 and expanding to create a broader social impact.
// Outcomes
In the short-term: increase the number of participants to 20. Have two resilience trainings workshops and provide therapy sessions to 10 different individuals. Strengthen the relationship with the Municipality, schools and youth movements. Promote and subsidize workshops and national / regional activities; provide support for youth and parents and create local Pride events for at least 70 local residents.
// Project Timeline
July 2026: 3-day summer camp. Aug–Sep 2026: Year launch, recruitment, training seminars, individual meetings. Oct–Dec 2026: Weekly meetings, Sukkot seminar, Hanukkah. Jan–Jun 2027: Weekly meetings, training seminars, Passover, events during month of Pride, end-of-year event.
// Budget Sustainability
IGY is Israel’s largest LGBTQ+ youth organization, operating with diverse funding. IGY’s activities in Kiryat Gat began before the Partnership’s support, relying on a broad volunteer network and additional organizational funding enabling the activities.
IGY’s youth group in Kiryat Gat has operated for years with the Partnership support. Even without funding the activities will continue but support enables subsidized national events, transport, staff training, etc.
// Project establishment status
IGY’s youth social group is currently active in the Partnerships’ Region and is located in Kiryat Gat.