This e-book incorporates the findings of the first phase of the Epsilon project that follows in depth fieldwork involving LGBT migrants, refugees and professionals that was carried out in 5 countries. It is the consolidated version with the executive summaries of all chapters written in English.

This e-book was written within the framework of the EpsiLon project, a two year Erasmus+ (KA2) co-funded programme coordinated by the IARS International Institute (UK) and delivered in partnership with Anziani e Non Solo (Italy), Movisie (Netherlands), KMOP (Greece) and CARDET (Cyprus). This complementary work is intended to have a EU wide impact while being evidence based and user-led.

Using the results from this e-book, Epsilon will develop an innovative, evidence-based, user-led training methodology and contents targeting professionals and volunteers working in services for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in order to raise their awareness and sensitivity to the needs of all those with LGBTI background. The educational tools will enable the professionals to identify these LGBTI groups’ most current and urgent needs some even reaching on issues of survival, dignity and respect. It will also help them challenge their own biases.

EpsiLon is a two-year long (September 2016 – September 2018) European Project about equipping professionals for supporting LGBT migrants and refugees.

The Epsilon partnership is responding to two current and urgent educational needs in Europe i.e. (1) the rise in migrant and refugee numbers (2) the persistent inequality and persecution of LGBTI individuals. Combined together these two characteristics make LGBTI migrants and refugees one of the most vulnerable groups in modern Europe. Our project aims to help address this issue by increasing the knowledge, skills and awareness of all those adult professionals and volunteers who come in contact with them.