Sphere Foundation is a human rights organization. We bring systemic changes to the daily realities of the Russian LGBT+ community.
What we do:
- We raise awareness and advocate for the Russian LGBT+ community through coordinated campaigns.
- We provide direct assistance to LGBT+ community members.
- We partner with other human rights organizations that share our goals.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to shape a society in which all people are safe from violence and discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
OUR GOALS
Support and engage with other organizations working with LGBT+ community members.
Creation and development of partnerships with organizations working with similar problems and groups
Research and raise awareness about LGBT+ rights violations in the Russian Federation.
Provide direct assistance to people subjected to discrimination and/or violence based on gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation.
OUR VALUES
Non-violence
We advocate for social and policy changes without using or calling for violence.
Equality
We believe that all people are equal before the law, regardless of their race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, residency, position in society, religious or political views.
The centrality of human rights
Human rights and freedoms are fundamental for all people. Human rights are intrinsic and essential to all people and deserve to be respected.
Partnership
Through dialogue and engagement, we partner and cooperate to fulfill our mission.
Change is possible
We believe that our actions will result in valuable changes in policy and society.
OUR PROGRAMS
Strategic direction
- Human Rights Monitoring and Advocacy
- Strategic Litigation
- Equality Federation
Social and legal support
- Psychological Assistance
- Legal Assistance
- Emergency Assistance
WHY WE ARE EXPERTS
Sphere has a unique experience and non-trivial achievements that no other organizations in Russia have:
Our foundation is an expert in conducting large and complex court cases in courts in Russia and at the ECHR level. One of the first such cases was the case of blocking the channels of the project “Children 404”, followed by many high-profile cases conducted by our lawyers and lawyers.
We work at the international level, providing reports and participating in events of the UN Committees, the European Court of Human Rights, the OSCE and others.
To the extent that our foundation provides information about the situation of LGBT+ people in Russia, no Russian organization provides it at the international level.
Our charitable foundation has extensive experience working with LGBT+ teenagers. Our organization conducted the first and largest study of LGBT+ teenagers who face bullying, and our psychologists regularly help teenagers on the hotline.
All employees are experts in their fields, regularly undergoing professional training, including abroad
WHERE DO WE GET THE FUNDS FROM
We are helped by large charitable and human rights organizations from different countries, private donors and just ordinary people who donate small amounts or subscribe to monthly payments.
WHAT WE SPEND ON
- we pay for the work of specialists who advise on legal issues and accompany cases in courts related to hate crimes or discrimination based on sexual or gender identity;
- we teach psychologists the specifics of providing psychological assistance to the LGBT+ community and partially pay for their work;
- we organize the work of volunteers and psychologists on the LGBT+ helpline
- we monitor human rights violations in Russia, prepare annual reports and advocate;
- we provide emergency assistance to those who are in trouble;
- We support the LGBT+ movement in different regions of Russia through small grants for various projects.