About the organisation

NGO Bureau "We Are!"

A strategic human rights centre building the legal, institutional and social foundations for LGBTIQ+ equality before the law in Ukraine.

Precedents, not slogans. Documents, not declarations.

Measurable change.

2018–2025

200+
Legal consultations
Expert legal support for LGBTIQ+ people and same-sex families
120+
Crisis cases
Comprehensive support for IDPs and people with disabilities
30+
Trainings and workshops
Capacity building for LGBTIQ+ communities and allies
1 000+
Monitored materials
Under monitoring for hate speech and discrimination risks
4
Court cases
Legal practice on property rights and incitement-related risks
30+
Analytical materials
Policy briefs, legal reviews and media comments

Mission and values

Value 01

Evidence-based approach

Decisions grounded in legal analysis, verified research and international standards aligned with Council of Europe methodology.

Value 02

Community inclusion

The voice of communities is central to our work. We act together with the people we protect.

Value 03

Independence

Non-partisan human rights position. Our own strategy and operational independence from political cycles.

Value 04

Transparency

Open reporting, independent audit and full compliance with donor requirements.

Team

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Russia's war against Ukraine is a tragedy for millions of Ukrainians, including LGBTIQ+ people. The families most affected are those where the consequences of war compound other vulnerabilities.

Same-sex families defending the values of a free world on the front lines remain legally invisible to the Ukrainian state. Legal recognition of same-sex unions and families, protection from violence, discrimination and hate crimes — this is about justice and equality before the law, which LGBTIQ+ people in Ukraine deserve.

The Bureau is building an institution that accumulates knowledge, shares it widely, and remains a reliable partner for donors, universities, lawyers and communities — regardless of how the political landscape evolves.

Volodymyr Kosenko, Director April 15, 2026

Strategy 2026–2030: five goals for systemic change

2026–2030 is the Bureau's new strategic cycle. Five goals cover the full spectrum of systemic change: from legal protection of individual families to the information environment and organisational resilience.

01

Legal resilience and family safety

Protecting LGBTIQ+ families in conditions of war, loss, injury and legal invisibility. Legal aid and strategic litigation.

02

Institutional equality in education and governance

Anti-discrimination standards in educational institutions and municipalities. 50+ universities and 50+ local councils by 2030.

03

Countering disinformation and enabling a positive policy environment

Hate speech monitoring, counter-narratives, analysis of public discourse. 1 000+ media materials under monitoring.

04

Economic, psychosocial and digital resilience

Supporting the well-being of LGBTIQ+ people — from psychological support to digital security and economic independence.

05

A strong and reliable organisation

Institutional development of the Bureau as a trusted partner for donors, communities and international organisations.

Key initiatives 2026–2030

A five-year cycle of systemic change: legal, institutional, social and informational.

Started: February 2026

Countering hate speech

Goal: 1 000+ documented materials, public monitoring dashboard

Open dashboard
Starting: June 2026

Legal aid bureau

Goal: 120+ cases, network of lawyers and notaries across regions

Request consultation
Starting: June 2026

Psychosocial well-being bureau

Goal: 120+ cases, 3 volunteer psychologists, support groups

Send a request
Started: January 2026

European Values and Democracy Initiative

Goal: quarterly bulletin for government bodies, the EU and Council of Europe

Learn more
Started: April 2026

Parliamentary Demystifier Initiative

Goal: quarterly bulletin for parliamentarians, legal analysis of draft laws

Learn more
Starting: June 2026

Institutional Non-Discrimination Index

Goal: 50+ universities, 25+ municipalities

Learn more

Our history

2018
Bureau founded, registered 13 September
2019
First human rights programmes launched
2020
Team and partnership network expanded
2021
First court cases filed
2022
Full-scale war begins; humanitarian support for LGBTIQ+ people and IDPs
2023
International advocacy; partnerships with EU-aligned organisations
2024
War impact research; hate speech monitoring programme launched
2025
Strategic planning; development of the 2026–2030 programme
2026
Strategy 2026–2030 launched; new phase of institutional development

Trust and transparency

We are accountable to communities, donors and the state.

Statutes and registry extract

  • EDRPOU (registration no.): 41591439
  • Date of registration: 13 September 2018
  • Country: Ukraine
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Policies and procedures

The foundation of our work is transparency and responsibility. Internal regulations from our code of ethics to financial control.

View documents

Financial and accounting reports

The basis of our financial activity is openness and accountability. Annual balance sheets and reports on use of funds received.

View reports

Donors and partners

People and organisations working alongside us. Our donor and partner network for maximum impact on LGBTIQ+ rights in Ukraine.

Explore partnership

Donors and partners

Alliance for Public Health
Goodwill Country Foundation
Positive Women
Eurasian Women's Network on AIDS
For Equal Rights NGO
Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility

Support Bureau "We Are!"

Your support helps us protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ people in Ukraine and build a more just society.