LGBTI Youth Fund Switzerland

The LGBTI Youth Fund is an independent philanthropic fund based in Switzerland, launched in October 2022. It supports initiatives working locally, regionally and across the country to address the needs of LGBTIQ young people in Switzerland. Its aims include advancing their rights and enabling social change that improves inclusion, equity and safety.[1]

Oak Foundation provides support, while Swiss Philanthropy Foundation hosts the fund. The website identifies these as separate roles held by the two foundations.[1]

Youth participation takes place through a French-speaking group and a German-speaking group. Each receives a budget and chooses projects to support. Members set priorities, develop a call for proposals and establish the selection process. They then assess submissions and make funding decisions. The fund’s staff and group coordinators support this work.[2]

Members also agree on shared standards of conduct and considerate ways of communicating. Guidance covers developing the call, assessing proposals and choosing projects; members may visit projects if they wish. The fund also describes opportunities to develop skills, exchange experiences with peers and become familiar with Switzerland’s LGBTQIA+ association network.[2]

The closed recruitment call for September 2026 to June 2027 sought 14 members, with seven places in each group. Online applications were due by 15 July 2026 at 23:59. The published process provided for shortlisted applicants to attend an online interview with the coordinators between late July and mid-August. Group activities were scheduled to begin on 1 September 2026.[2]

Applicants had to meet every condition: be LGBTQIA+, live in Switzerland, be aged 18–25 when applying and speak French or German fluently. They also needed an interest in supporting youth projects and working with a small peer group. The commitment required flexibility for occasional evening and weekend meetings, travel within their region, participation over ten months and an average contribution of eight hours each month.[2]

The call welcomed applicants regardless of educational or socioeconomic background. It particularly encouraged people of colour, intersex and transfeminine people, disabled and neurodivergent people, those with a migration background, and residents of rural areas or conservative cantons.[2]

Questions about participation can go to Noam, who coordinates the German-speaking group, at jugend.koordination@lgbtiyouthfund.ch, or Nicolas, who coordinates the French-speaking group, at coordination.jeunes@lgbtiyouthfund.ch. The website also lists direct messages to the Instagram account @lgbtiyouthfund as a way to contact the coordinators with questions.[2]