The Helix Project funded by the European Union under the Cypriot Civil Society in Action VIII Grant Scheme and implemented by the Queer Cyprus Association (QCA) , commenced on March 15 th 2023, and will continue for 30 months.

The Helix Project aims to contribute to better safeguarding the LGBTI+’s civil rights in the northern part of Cyprus. As we face challenges after challenges on the journey to achieving equality for all, the Helix Project will follow a process that will increase the resilience of LGBTI+ community in general, and our organization and activism in particular.

The helix symbol that inspired our project represents commitment to continuous improvement and growth, as well as a willingness to adapt and change in response to new challenges and opportunities. It also emphasizes the importance of learning from past experiences, taking calculated risks, and striving to achieve new levels of competence. Within the scope of the Helix Project, we will aim to increase the resilience of LGBTI+s, QCA and its activists and to tackle the effects of the pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis on the LGBTI+ community. To this end, several activities will be carried out, including:

• making information available on the impact of COVID-19 and subsequent economic crisis on LGBTI+s;
• supporting LGBTI+s who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis;
• fostering a culture of resiliency at QCA and improving the psychosocial and physical well-being of QCA activists;
• increasing dialogue and solidarity amongst LGBTI+s across the Green Line.