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Did you know?
Countless LGBTIQ+ young people and children under 18 live away from their home and have to get by on their own. Many are kicked out by their parents or guardians because of who they are; many decide to run away because it has become unsafe for them to stay. Some turn to other relatives and friends; others seek help from social services and shelters.
Yet, not all of them know where to go, and not all social services and professionals are equipped with the right tools and knowledge to support their specific needs. This is where the Young, Queer & Away project comes into play!
Who are we?
Young, Queer & Away from home is a 2-year project studying the views and lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ young people who had to live away from their home before turning 18 in the EU or the UK (e.g. they were kicked out, ran away, were homeless, had to stay in a shelter or with friends/other relatives, etc).
The project is co-led by Missing Children Europe, IGLYO — The International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation, and the University of Portsmouth.
What is the project aim?
Through research, an online training for professionals, a resource hub, an awareness raising campaign and policy recommendations, we aim to support LGBTIQ+ young people and children under 18 who are at risk of homelessness and exclusion from their home, as well as to provide relevant professionals and service providers with the right tools to support them.
Who are our target audiences?
The project primarily focuses on LGBTIQ+ young people who experienced living away from home before turning 18 in the EU. Living away from home can include for instance being forced to leave by their parents or legal guardians, running away, having to stay in a shelter or with friends/other relatives, being taken in the custody of social services or foster care, having to seek asylum in another country, and more experiences.
In parallel, the project also focuses on practitioners in the EU or the UK who are likely to support LGBTIQ+ young people and children under 18 who are in these situations, including homeless shelters, social services, child protection services, missing children helplines, and others.
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What have we achieved so far?
In a nutshell, between May 2024 and March 2026, Missing Children Europe, IGLYO, and the University of Portsmouth have carried out the following activities:
1. Surveys & Interviews
We collected data through interviews and two multilingual surveys: the first one for LGBTIQ+ young people who had to live away from their home before turning 18; the second one for service providers who have already supported them.
2. Study Report
Based on this data, we developed a comprehensive study report outlining the main findings of our research, exploring the reasons leading LGBTIQ+ youth to leave or be forced out and their experiences while away, as well as the barriers they face when accessing support and current gaps in existing support services and infrastructure in the EU and the UK.
3. LGBTIQ+ Youth Support Map
We created a living map of existing shelters, organisations, and services in Europe for LGBTIQ+ youth at risk of homelessness and exclusion from their home.
4. Online Training for Professionals
We developed and delivered an online training for professionals to teach them how to adapt their services to the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ young people and children under 18. The live training was turned into a free online training module accessible at all times.
5. Information and Awareness-Raising Campaign
We've been running an information and awareness-raising campaign to disseminate the research findings, training resources, info hub, and policy recommendations.
6. Policy Recommendations and Symposium at the EP
We drafted policy recommendations and are organising an online policy symposium to present them to EU and national policy-makers.
Who are our Advisory Boards?
In the course of this project, we are supported by a Youth Board consisting of 5 LGBTIQ+ young people with experience of living away from home before turning 18, as well as a Board of Professionals consisting of 5 experts from various relevant services. Meet the Boards.
Stay tuned!
We'll regularly post updates on this page as the project moves forward.
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“LGBTIQ+ Missing - The voice of LGBTIQ+ young people with experience of going missing before the age of 18” is co-funded by the European Union under the call CERV-2023-EQUAL (project number 101144825).
Many LGBTIQ+ young people and children under 18 decide to leave their home or are forced out because of who they are. Yet, until today, there was no robust, comparable EU-wide evidence on LGBTIQ+ young people and children facing homelessness, living away from home or “going missing”, despite clear signals that identity-based rejection, unsafe environments and barriers to support can drive displacement and harm.
With this in mind, Missing Children Europe, IGLYO, and the University of Portsmouth’s new Young, Queer & Away from Home Study Report explores and addresses the experiences of LGBTIQ+ young people who faced homelessness, lived away from home or “went missing” before turning 18 in the EU or the UK on the one hand, and the experiences from youth workers and service providers supporting them on the other hand.
Through an in-depth analysis of survey and interview responses from both these groups, the study first explores the reasons leading LGBTIQ+ youth to leave or be forced out and their experiences while away, before diving into the barriers they face when accessing support and current gaps in existing support services and infrastructure.
The report concludes with putting forward concrete and actionable recommendations for EU institutions, national governments and support services to prevent and address these situations, and ensure adequate support for LGBTIQ+ youth and children facing homelessness and exclusion.
You can download the report here. You can also download only the Policy Recommendations here.
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For an overview of the key findings, you can access IGLYO's press release, Missing Children Europe's press release, and the University of Portsmouth's press release.
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This report has been produced with the financial support of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) 2021-2027 Programme of the European Union. However, the contents of the report are the sole responsibility of the University of Portsmouth, Missing Children Europe and IGLYO and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission.
Are you a youth worker or youth support service? Have you ever supported lesbian, gay, bi, trans or intersex (LGBTIQ+) young people and children but didn’t know how to cater for their specific needs? We have just the course for you!
Countless LGBTIQ+ young people and children under 18 decide to live away from their home or are forced out because of who they are. While some turn to other relatives or close friends, many are obliged to seek help from social services and professionals who may not be equipped with the right tools and knowledge to support their specific needs. With this in mind, we are launching a free, self-paced online training developed as part of the Young, Queer and Away from Home (YQA) project to address these gaps and strengthen professional responses.
What's the course about?
This training aims to equip professionals, volunteers and activists working with young people and children (at risk of) experiencing exclusion, housing insecurity, or homelessness with the tools to address the specific needs of those of them who are LGBTIQ+. Based on the YQA project’s research, this course aims to deepen participants’ understanding of LGBTIQ+ identities and experiences, explain the project’s research findings, and share concrete recommendations on how to identify barriers that limit access to services and render them more accessible and inclusive.
This course focuses on building an understanding of LGBTIQ+ identities and experiences, addressing exhaustive barriers to access, and creating safer, more inclusive environments.
Who can take the course?
The training is primarily designed for a Europe wide audience of professionals, including social workers, educators, hotline operators, and law enforcement officials, who work directly and indirectly with LGBTIQ+ children and young people. The course is also appropriate for parents, carers and legal guardians.
No prior learning or experience is necessary as this course is introductory and professionals at different career stages can take it.
How long is the course?
The duration of the course is 3 weeks long and the average recommended study time is roughly 1 hour per week. However, you're free to follow the course at your own pace:
- Week 1 introduces the topic of LGBTIQ+ identities and experiences, including SOGIESC-related topics.
- Week 2 focuses on tips for professionals on how to make their services and work more inclusive, safe and affirming.
- Week 3 presents the YQA project and the key findings and recommendations that stemmed from the European-wide research.
How to take the course?
You can take the course at this link. You'll just need to create a free Future Learn account first.
Questions & Contact
For any questions, please reach out to IGLYO's programme team at programmes@iglyo.org.
About the Young, Queer and Away from Home Project
Young, Queer & Away from Home is a 2-year project studying the views and lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ young people who had to live away from their home before turning 18 in the EU or the UK (e.g. they were kicked out, ran away, were homeless, had to stay in a shelter or with friends/other relatives, etc). The project is co-led by Missing Children Europe, IGLYO — The International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation, and the University of Portsmouth.
Through research, an online training for professionals, a resource hub, an awareness raising campaign and policy recommendations, we aim to support LGBTIQ+ young people and children under 18 who are at risk of homelessness and exclusion from their home, as well as to provide relevant professionals and service providers with the right tools to support them.
Are you an LGBTIQ+ young person in need of support related to homelessness or difficulties at home? Or are you an LGBTIQ+ shelter or organisation that can provide support to LGBTQI youth in these situations?
The Young, Queer & Away from Home support map below gathers support services, organisations and resources spread across Europe that LGBTIQ+ youth in need can contact to ask for direct support or redirection towards competent services. You can use the Map's search tool to type the name of your country and get a list of all the resources available in your area.
The map and guide gather the following resource types:
🏰 LGBTIQ+ Shelters: Organisations providing accommodation and support specifically to LGBTIQ+ young people
🏠 Youth Shelters: Organisations providing accommodation and support specifically to young people
🌈 General LGBTIQ+ Organisations: Organisations who do not provide accommodation but can receive support requests and either support you or redirect you depending on your needs
💬 116 111 Child Helplines: Free numbers offering general advice as well as support and counselling to young people.
☎ 116 000 Missing Children Hotlines: Free numbers specifically for children, young people and adults calling for matters related to going missing.
More resources are being added over time. If you are an organisation providing support to LGBTIQ+ young people in need, you can fill out this form or contact us at network@iglyo.org to appear on the map.
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The YQA Study Report and Policy Recommendations are out!
Our groundbreaking report reveals that LGBTIQ+ young people and children under 18 who face homelessness, live away from home or "go missing" do not find it safe to go home, and further highlights the barriers they face when accessing support services. Through an in-depth analysis of survey and interview responses from LGBTIQ+ youth and service providers across the EU and the UK, the study explores the reasons leading to leaving or being forced out, delves into the barriers faced when accessing support, and puts forward concrete and actionable recommendations for EU institutions, national governments and support services. Access the Report.
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YQA Free Online Training Module for Youth Workers
This training aims to equip professionals, volunteers and activists working with young people and children (at risk of) experiencing exclusion, housing insecurity, or homelessness with the tools to address the specific needs of those of them who are LGBTIQ+. Based on the YQA project’s research, this course will deepen participants’ understanding of LGBTIQ+ identities and experiences, explain the project’s research findings, and share concrete recommendations on how to identify barriers that limit access to services and render them more accessible and inclusive. More info.
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YQA LGBTIQ+ Youth Support Map
Are you an LGBTIQ+ young person in need of support related to homelessness or difficulties at home? Or are you an LGBTIQ+ shelter or organisation that can provide support? The Young, Queer & Away from Home support map below gathers support services, organisations and resources spread across Europe that LGBTIQ+ youth in need can contact to ask for direct support or redirection towards competent services. Access the Map.
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Join our Young, Queer & Supported Free Online Training for Youth Support Professionals (17 & 20 February)!
This training aims to equip professionals, volunteers and activists working with minors (at risk of) experiencing exclusion, housing insecurity, or homelessness with the tools to address the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ young people and children. Based on the YQA project’s research, this 2-hour live workshop will deepen participants’ understanding of LGBTIQ+ identities and experiences, explain the project’s research findings, and share concrete recommendations on how to identify barriers that limit access to services and render them more accessible and inclusive. Take the course.
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Take our Surveys & Interviews by 31 August 2025
We are looking to hear from two audiences through interviews and anonymous and multilingual surveys: 1) LGBTIQ+ young people between 18 and 29 who had to live away from their home before turning 18 (e.g. who ran away, were kicked out, were homeless, stayed in a shelter, etc), and 2) practitioners who supported LGBTIQ+ youth and children under 18 in those situations (e.g. a shelter, LGBTIQ+ organisation, social or child protection service, refugee centre, etc). More info.
Call for an Advisory Youth Board | 4 June 2024
We're looking for LGBTQI young people between 18-24 years old in Europe with experience of going missing before turning 18 to join the Advisory Youth Board of the project. Read our call and apply by 9 June 2024.
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Project Launch Press Release | 31 May 2024
On 31 May 2024, we officially set sail and launched the project's pilot phase through a this press release. Back then, the project was still called "LGBTIQ+ Missing Children", which we later changed to reflect the project's aims and diversity of experiences more clearly.
Two paid boards with different expertise and experience support the Consortium partners in the implementation of the Young, Queer & Away from Home project.
Advisory Youth Board
The Advisory Youth Board consists of 6 LGBTIQ+ young people under 25 who had to leave their home before turning 18 years old. Based on their lived experience, the members of the Youth Board contribute to a variety of tasks ranging from advocacy and research to communications and dissemination throughout the project.
Blin Sali (He/him), Albania
Blin is a 23-year-old transgender activist from Albania. He founded and leads a support group for transmasculine individuals, organises cultural events with and for the LGBTIQ+ community, and represents TGD voices through various advocacy efforts. Blin also contributes to the community through music and art, aiming to help LGBTIQ+ people in Albania feel seen and valued.
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Eleonore Strehl-Firquet (She/her), France
Eleonore is a passionate psychology student committed to supporting young LGBTQIA+ individuals. When she's not immersed in her studies, she enjoys reading, following F1 racing, and engaging in various sports. Her dedication to helping others is matched by her diverse range of interests.
Hitesh (They/them), Belgium
Hitesh holds a dual master's degree in social and cultural anthropology from KU Leuven and NTNU, Norway. Lately, they have been invested in the study of "Affective Technologies and Postcolonial Condition(s)of EUrope". Nevertheless, their field of interest intersects (in)security studies from feminist perspectives and science and technology studies, with a hint of psychoanalysis. They are invested in rethinking object(s) of analysis by shifting the gaze of field(s) with feminist epistemologies in science, technology and society.
Lenny (He/him), Switzerland
Lenny has been a queer activist for several years, mainly as a board member of the queer youth organisation Milchjugend, which aims to empower young queer people. He is also Art Director of the lila. queer festival and Community Health Worker at Checkpoint Zurich.
Theodore Nguyen (It/She/Him), United Kingdom
Theo (any pronouns) is a 19 year-old non-binary person living in Wales. He’s currently at university studying marine biology, and works with Mermaids on their youth advisory panel. He feels passionately about queer organising. In his free time he loves to climb, hike and be outdoors.
Expert Board of Professionals
The Expert Board of Professionals gathers five professionals representing either LGBTIQ+ organisations or service providers from various sectors that come in contact with LGBTIQ+ young people and children who are or are at risk of homelessness and exclusion.
Dr. Brian J. Frederick (He/They), United States
Brian is a queer/cultural criminologist and an Assistant Professor at SUNY Empire State University in Brooklyn, NY. His research focuses on the intersection of LGBTQIA+ folx and crime, deviance and transgression. As a teen, he was a runaway on the streets of Los Angeles and New York City.
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Julia Kata (She/her), Poland
Julia is a psychologist, mediator in training. She's been working for the transgender and non-binary community for over decade. She's also a co-author of research, scientific and educational publications. She designs and conducts trainings on inclusive language, LGBTQIA+ Rights for institutions, professionals and business. She's one of the facilitators of the first meeting of young Intersex persons in Europe.
Mario Colamarino (He/him), Italy
Mario is a jurist, consultant, and president of the Italian LGBTQIA+ association C.C.O. "Mario Mieli" in Rome, serving from 2015 to 2017 and again from 2021 onwards. He is also the spokesperson and chairman of Rome Pride.
Sara Granath (She/her), Sweden
Sara is a senior advisor with expertise in children in migration and displacement working for Save the Children Sweden. With over 20 years of advocating for children's rights and especially refugee children's rights she is passionate about ensuring all children have equal access to services and opportunities and are treated with dignity and respect.
Missing Children Europe
Missing Children Europe represents 32 Non-Governmental Organisations active in 27 countries across Europe for the prevention, protection and support of missing and sexually exploited children and their families. They provide the link between research, policies, and organisations on the ground to protect children from any form of violence, abuse, or neglect that is caused by or results from them going missing. Missing Children Europe coordinates the network of 116000 hotlines for missing children, and the network of cross border family mediators and facilitates coordination of cases that involve cross-border issues, ensuring that vulnerable children receive the help they need no matter where they are in Europe. Visit their website
IGLYO — The International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation
IGLYO — The International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation is the world's largest network dedicated to LGBTQI young people and their rights. We represent the voice of over 115 Member Organisation in over 40 countries across the Council of Europe Region. IGLYO advances the rights of LGBTQI young people, fights for equality and inclusion, and empowers LGBTQI youth voices through international training and events, thematic research and advocacy campaigns, online tools and resources, networking activities, and much more. Visit their website
University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth hosts The Centre for the Study of Missing Persons, provides a clear focus for research into missing persons, for knowledge transfer and for educational provision, to academics, to professionals in the missing persons community and to relatives of missing people. Visit their website
Co-funded by the European Union
“LGBTIQ+ Missing - The voice of LGBTIQ+ young people with experience of going missing before the age of 18” is co-funded by the European Union under the call CERV-2023-EQUAL (project number 101144825).
