1. ACCEPT has begun looking for new financial resources, in order to be able to satisfy the association’s priorities and to accomplish its long-term strategy, created for 2000-2003. We created and forwarded several projects, among which: „Human rights – equal opportunities, equal treatment” (Embassy of Finland to Bucharest) – a project which was approved and a contract will be signed soon; „Culture, society, sexual minorities in Romania” (the Euroart programme) – a larger project, which includes a national conference on this topic, a multimedia exhibition, a happening/show, as well as editing a book; a new project dedicated to the development of the Documentary and Information Centre. We are also working on some projects, especially designed for the Lesbian Group – which has had a very promising dynamic, during the last months.

2. ACCEPT is presently involved in realising a study of our community, which will hopefully help us to identify the main needs of those who appeal to our services: it includes creating an identity, social relating, motivations and aspirations, group affiliation and so on. We also came to an end with the study designed for UNAIDS, regarding the sexual behaviour of men-having-sex-with-men; its conclusions will be available in the next issue of our newsletter. Given the results of the medical and HIV/AIDS prevention counselling ACCEPT forwarded a project draft, for the follow-up of such services.

3. ACCEPT took part in the IGLYO (International Lesbian and Gay Youth Organisation) study session in Budapest. The session aimed to finding practical ways of co-operation between gay organisations. After the reunion, we invited some young participants from countries in Central and Eastern Europe to join us to the ILGA Europe (the European Region of Lesbian and Gay Association) annual conference, in which we will discuss the specific problems faced by homosexually-oriented people in the region. We are expecting guests from Serbia, Croatia, Russia, Moldova, and Bulgaria. ACCEPT is trying to find the financial support to cover the travel expenses of these persons, and is also co-operating with ILGA-Europe for the fund-raising which will allow us to organise the conference in Bucharest.

4. ACCEPT joined the NGO Coalition, especially created for this year’s elections. The coalition was initiated by the ProDemocracy Association and includes the most important Romanian NGOs. Its aim is to provide information and expertise for the organisations, which monitor the elections, in order to make sure that they will be fair, free and informed.

5. Last but not least, ACCEPT is creating new up-dated promotional materials, reflecting its development during the last months: a general presentation of ACCEPT, as well leaflets dedicated to its main activities and services. These materials will hopefully be more specific and will have a better design. With the help of our beneficiaries and friends, we hope we will be able to distribute them as widely as possible.