In 2022, the PlanetRomeo Foundation faced a year of turbulence and resilience. As the world slowly emerged from COVID-19 lockdowns, war broke out in Ukraine on 20 February. Having just closed our COVID Emergency Funding program, we had planned to return to regular funding rounds. Instead, we quickly launched a new Emergency Funding initiative to support our trusted partners in Ukraine, ensuring LGBTQI+ communities could access urgent relief in the midst of crisis.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Foundation was able to respond to urgent needs of our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters while continuing to fund grassroots projects that build safety, visibility, and empowerment for LGBTQI+ people everywhere. In total, 24 regular projects were funded globally and five partner groups in Ukraine received funding.
Asia & Pacific
In Sri Lanka, funding went toward a series of community events designed to give young people a safe and affirming place to be themselves. These gatherings also offered practical resources like information on sexual health, human rights, and staying safe online.
East Africa
In Kenya, funding helped grow several lifelines for trans, intersex, gender diverse, and queer people. In Western Kenya, support empowered healthcare workers at gender-based violence centers to better understand and respectfully serve transgender survivors while helping trans community members learn their rights and build confidence to report violence. Elsewhere in the country, emergency shelters received vital boosts from funding; new bedding, food, medical support, security cameras, and rent coverage. These projects made safe housing possible for refugees, asylum seekers, Deaf queer youth, and LGBTQ+ people escaping immediate danger. Funding also helped launch mental-health programming, safe-shelter expansion, and transitional housing for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, including family-reconciliation efforts to prevent long-term homelessness.
In Rwanda, support strengthened the backbone of a nascent but growing LGBTQ+ movement. Grassroots leaders from across the country received training in human rights advocacy and community organising, helping them build the skills and confidence needed to lead safely and strategically, even in environments where visibility carries great risk.
In Tanzania, LGBTQ+ women and gender-diverse people tapped into the power of community. In one part of the country, LBQ women connected through sports, yoga, and wellness activities—spaces that offered joy, belonging, and a rare sense of freedom. Meanwhile, a feminist network used funding to harmonise essential governance documents, strengthen administrative systems, and create the stability needed for long-term movement building and safer organizing.
In Uganda, where hostility toward LGBTQ+ communities intensified sharply, funding helped keep people alive. Multiple shelters and grassroots groups used support to relocate after attacks, strengthen security, offer emergency response for survivors of violence, provide counseling and mental health care, and train community members in safety practices. Mobile crisis teams documented human rights abuses, while local facilitators led dialogues to counter stigma, build self-acceptance, and reduce internalised bias. Safe housing for trans youth was sustained for another year, alongside hygiene supplies, case management, and a 24 hour hotline for those in danger.
Latin America
Our support in Nicaragua helped fuel a creative and transformative project that used art, community workshops, cabaret theater, and social-media storytelling to challenge harmful beliefs and spark new conversations about LGBTQ+ lives. Through a series of reflective sessions on identity, autonomy, care, and sexual health, participants found space to heal and grow, while public performances and family-focused events encouraged the wider community to question longheld prejudices. An illustrated digital campaign amplified these messages even further, spreading awareness and promoting empathy across the country.
West Africa
In Benin, funding helped queer people living with disabilities and albinism build self-esteem, learn strategies to resist discrimination, and access mental health support, all while strengthening local leadership and organizational skills.
In Cameroon, young people found new ways to connect and express themselves through hikes, arts activities, open community days, and cultural events.
In Nigeria, support helped expand urgently needed safe housing, vocational training, and psychosocial care for LGBTQ+ people escaping violence or homelessness, while also restoring a community shelter that had been lost to insecurity and natural disasters.
And in Zimbabwe, grants strengthened multiple projects focused on creating dedicated emergency shelters, establishing safe accommodation for LGBTQ+ elders, and empowering queer artists and nightlife communities.
2022 reminded us how quickly circumstances can change, and how vital grassroots initiatives are in times of crisis. From emergency support in Ukraine to community-building projects across the globe, the 29 funded initiatives (including emergency and regular rounds) reflected courage, resilience, and the determination to protect LGBTQI+ lives.
Together, these projects showed that even in turbulent times, progress is possible and solidarity makes a difference. The PlanetRomeo Foundation remains committed to supporting local initiatives worldwide through long-term community building and emergency relief when needed.
Every donation helps us continue this mission, creating safety, visibility, and empowerment where it is needed most.