COVID-19: Great resources for your LGBTI organisation

While some countries begin to plan what the end of social confinement and lockdowns will look like, the struggle to adapt to new ways of working and tackle unforseen challenges, continues for everyone. There are so many resources out there to help it’s hard to know where to begin, so as part of ILGA-Europe’s three-part plan to support the LGBTI movement through the COVID-19 crisis, we’ve hand-picked ten of the very best.

The response of so many leading organisations to the COVID-19 pandemic and new ways of working, interacting and organising amid government lockdowns, has been truly inspiring. Every day new resources come on stream, but sometimes there seems so many, it’s difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff, and figure out which ones will help you most.

ILGA-Europe’s ‘Protect, Adapt and Rally’ three-part plan aims to support the LGBTI movement and organisations through this crisis and beyond. As part of the plan, we’ve asked our staff team to recommend external resources for LGBTI groups, which will help you to manage and lead your organisation, re-think funding strategies, communicate digitally, work from home, and more. Like the three-part plan itself, this list is a living thing and we’ll be adding to it as relevant new resources come online.

1. Managing your NGO in the times of COVID-19

From staying informed to seeking support, NGOs over the world have had to rapidly adapt their activities to cope with the crisis. Easy-to-read and straight-to-the-point, this resource seeks to help you minimise or manage the disruption and financial implications at this time and the times to come as well as safeguarde the well-being of your staff and volunteers, the community, and your donors and other stakeholders.

2. Coronavirus advice for nonprofit leaders

For many organisations, COVID-19 is not the first big crisis they have faced. Here, you will find some tips on how to lead and continue the work for our communities, based on learnings from previous comparable crises, such as 9/11.

3. Face-to-face fundraising in the COVID-19 crisis

Hear from five international face-to-face fundraising specialists on how their organisations are adapting their teams and activity due to COVID-19 in this one-hour panel discussion.

4. 8 Learnings for your virtual gala

Before the lockdowns started in many countries, this non-profit took the timely decision to cancel their major annual fundraising event and host a virtual Gala instead. In this great resourse, they share their top takeaways.

5. Communications best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic

Whether you are part of the communications’ team within your organisation or not, communication is more and more part of your daily activity during this crisis. Here you will find practical tips and examples to communicate effectively right now.

6. 5 ways to leave work at work (even if you never leave the house)

While working from home many of us are experiencing signs of burnout very quickly. In this really informative blog you will find some suggestions on how to plan your work at home, especially if it’s the first time you’ve had to do so.

7. Tips for remote teams

This is a great list of tips for synchronised work, clear communication, online meetings, and much more.

8. Ergonomic tips when teleworking

In this short video from the International Labor Organisation’s Occupational Safety and Health coordinator, Eloy Alonso-Maestre, there’s plenty of practical guidance on how to make your home-working life more comfortable, from how to comfortably sit to best working practice with a smaller screen.

9. Building virtual rooms for online facilitation

Here you will find templates for online facilitation sessions, using creatively shared documents and tools. Training for Change provides workshops, guides and tools for movement and capacity building, click here for more.

10. How to alleviate Zoom fatigue

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we’re on video calls more than ever before — and many are finding it exhausting. This resource from the BBC provides some handy tips for using the platform without burnout.

11. The definitive guide to facilitating remote workshops

If you are a workshop facilitator struggling with digital life, this guide is for you. In it you will find insights, tools and case studies from digital-first companies and expert facilitators.