This project, aimed at offering care, information, guidance, and advice, will benefit approximately 300 individuals. The funding will enable the reinforcement of the professional structure of the three participating entities: Diversas, Altihay, and Lánzate, thereby ensuring continuous social support and promoting the defense of LGTBIQ+ rights, the visibility of diversity, and social awareness.
The Minister of Social Welfare, Candelaria Delgado, highlighted the collaboration with the third sector to provide this advisory service to both LGTBIQ+ individuals and their families. She explained that DIVERCAN is starting as a pilot project with in-person services in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote, with the aim of expanding to all islands by 2027.
For his part, the Director General of Diversity, Celso Mendoza, emphasized that this subsidy provides stability to the organizations and to the role of the social worker, who acts as the primary point of contact for users.
The project includes the hiring of a Social Work professional by each of the entities. These professionals will be responsible for direct user care, needs assessment, and the development of social intervention projects. The budget stipulates that at least 80% of the subsidy be allocated to personnel costs, while the remaining 20% can cover maintenance and management expenses.
The service will offer information, assessment, advice, and social guidance, addressing issues such as access to benefits, legal counseling, situations of LGTBIfobia, employment, or health, and referrals to specialized resources.
The project stems from the need to advance in effective equality and eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Despite legislative and social progress, rejection and marginalization persist. In 2024, hate crimes related to sexual orientation and gender identity accounted for 25.75% of the total hate crimes registered in Spain, and in the Canary Islands, 31.64% of the 79 recorded hate incidents.
The intervention combines individual and family support with social awareness initiatives to foster safe and discrimination-free environments.
In addition to direct care, the project includes participation in events to raise the visibility of the LGTBIQ+ community, defend their rights, and develop social intervention initiatives, seeking further funding from public administrations and private entities to expand the organizations' capacity.
