RAINBOW BUDDIES SCHEME

Please select a country to access the relevant information.

Rainbow Buddies Scheme —
Berlin (June–November 2026)

Part of @NCLUSION project that connects local authorities and civil society across six countries to build local strategies so LGBTQI+ migrants and refugees feel safe, included, and valued in their communities. 

Are you new to Berlin and looking for community + support?  

Or are you based in Berlin and want to volunteer as a buddy?  

Join Rainbow Buddies Scheme: a 6-month mentoring & peer-support programme connecting LGBTQI+ newcomers with local volunteers. 

What to expect

1 group activity per month (cultural outings, picnics, creative/wellbeing workshops — schedule announced soon) 

Regular 1:1 buddy meet-ups for social connection and practical support (city orientation, language practice, navigating everyday life) 

Who can join?

LGBTQI+ newcomers to Berlin: You want to meet people, feel more at home, and connect to local resources. Participation is voluntary — you can skip questions/activities and stop anytime. 

Local volunteers in Berlin: You’re based in Berlin and can commit until November 2026. You’re open-minded, reliable, and willing to accompany someone as they settle in.  Volunteer Training Workshop in April (date TBC) 

Important notes

The programme is free of charge 

Confidentiality is central (no photos without consent; privacy respected) 

We aim to match by age range, languages, interests, and support needs (not always possible to meet every preference) 

Apply

Sign up here

REGISTRATION FORM

Contact email
projects@ngonest.de 

Rainbow Buddies Scheme —
CYPRUS (different cities and locations) (June–November 2026)

Part of @NCLUSION project that connects local authorities and civil society across six countries to build local strategies so LGBTQI+ migrants and refugees feel safe, included, and valued in their communities. 

Are you new to Cyprus and looking for community + support?  

Or are you based in Cyprus and want to volunteer as a buddy?  

Join Rainbow Buddies Scheme: a 6-month mentoring & peer-support programme connecting LGBTQI+ newcomers with local volunteers. 

What to expect

The scheme will mainly function on a 1-to-1 basis. The focus will be given on the mentorship relationship and only potentially to the creation of a group of mentors and mentees. Based on the evolution and the progress of the mentorship relations, the supervisor will suggest the implementation of group activities with different mentors and mentees. However, the mentors and the mentees do have the discretion to meet with other pairs.

Who can join?

Mentors who have been trained by the supervisor upon any of the sessions which were organised or will be organised and have signed the MoU. Also, mentors who have received and studied the supporting material that the supervisor has created and who have signed the MoU.
 
Mentees who have registered through the public registration form.

Important notes

  • Participation in the Rainbow Buddies Programme is free of charge for both mentors and mentees.
  • Confidentiality and privacy are central principles. Personal information must not be shared, and no photographs or screenshots may be taken or used without the participant’s explicit consent.
  • Matching is based, as far as possible, on age range, languages, shared interests, availability and support needs.
  • While every effort is made to respect participants’ preferences, it may not always be possible to meet all requested matching criteria.
  • Participation is voluntary, and both mentors and mentees may withdraw from the programme at any time.

Apply

Sign up here

REGISTRATION FORM

Contact email
vaggeliS.gettos@csicy.com
paschalia.leventi@csicy.com

Contact partner
CSI Center for Social Innovation

Phone
96130158

Rainbow Buddies Scheme —
Athens (June–November 2026)

Part of @NCLUSION project that connects local authorities and civil society across six countries to build local strategies so LGBTQI+ migrants and refugees feel safe, included, and valued in their communities. 

Are you new to Athens and looking for community + support?  

Or are you based in Athens and want to volunteer as a buddy?  

Join Rainbow Buddies Scheme: a 6-month mentoring & peer-support programme connecting LGBTQI+ newcomers with local volunteers. 

What to expect

2 group activities per month either in a face to face or online format (e.g. cultural outings, picnics, creative or wellbeing workshops — schedule announced soon) plus a minimum of a 1:1 meet-ups for social connection and/or individual support.

Who can join?

Mentors: Local volunteers in Athens: Become a mentor and guide an LGBTQI+ individual with a migrant or refugee background towards autonomy and community inclusion. Support and guide mentees on their journey toward integration. Promote inclusion and empower self-confidence. Connect mentees with the community.
Mentees: LGBTQI+ newcomers in Athens looking to connect, explore the city, and feel part of a supportive community?

Important notes

Participation is free and voluntary

Confidentiality is central (Your privacy is fully respected) 

You can withdraw at any time without any consequences.

Apply

MENTORS: Sign up here

REGISTRATION FORM

Contact email
nlomsadzegfm@gmail.com 

Contact partner
GFM – Greek Forum of Migrants

Rainbow Buddies Scheme —
Wroclaw (April –November 2026)

Part of @NCLUSION project that connects local authorities and civil society across six countries to build local strategies so LGBTQI+ migrants and refugees feel safe, included, and valued in their communities. 

Are you new to Wroclaw and looking for community + support?  

Or are you based in Wroclaw and want to volunteer as a buddy?  

Join Rainbow Buddies Scheme: a 6-month mentoring & peer-support programme connecting LGBTQI+ newcomers with local volunteers. 

What to expect

1 supervision meeting for mentors
1 supervision meeting for mentees
1 integrational meeting for mentors and mentees
Regular 1:1 buddy meet-ups for social connection and practical support (city orientation, language practice, navigating everyday life)

Who can join?

Mentors: local volunteers who live in Wrocław and speak Polish or/and English/Ukrainian/Russian who are interested in providing long-term support in a form of mentoring to the mentees.
Mentees: LGBTQI+ migrants who’ve submitted the form to participate in the mentoring programme to receive support in personal growth, learning about Polish culture and language/find a job/enroll to a university etc.

Important notes

The programme is free of charge 

Confidentiality is central (no photos without consent; privacy respected) 

We aim to match by age range, languages, interests, and support needs (not always possible to meet every preference) 

Apply

Sign up here

REGISTRATION FORM

Contact email
maryna.mashtaler@fundacjaukraina.eu

Contact partner
Fundacja Ukraina

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